The talk these days in chain drug circles is all about Rite Aid and its remarkable recovery from the edge of extinction. Rite Aid is by no means outperforming its major rivals, either in chain drug retailing or in the tangential retailing categories. It’s not the largest drug chain or the most profitable or the
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed that thought in a journal entry from the early 1840s. The current management of CVS Caremark Corp., where new ideas are viewed as the engine that drives progress toward its objective of helping people on
Viewed from an international perspective, U.S. wholesale drug distribution is a model to be envied. While our nation’s wholesale distributors deserve much credit, they function by connecting product delivery to retail, mail order and clinical operators that deserve as much credit for the efficiency as do the wholesalers themselves. When forward buy profits crashed along
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The chain drug industry is at a critical juncture, with historic change in health care delivery placing unprecedented demands on the business while presenting enormous growth opportunities. That was the message last month of new National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman John Standley, who is also president and chief executive officer
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is basking in what it sees as success with the initial implementation stage of the Affordable Care Act but remains mindful that challenges await the government’s health care reform efforts as they continue to evolve. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was among stakeholders and celebrity ACA supporters invited
LONDON — Alliance Boots GmbH, the pharmaceutical retailer and wholesaler partly owned by Walgreen Co., has taken its first step into Latin America with a deal to acquire 1,400 drug stores in Mexico and Chile. Boots agreed to purchase the retail pharmacy business of Grupo Casa Saba S.A.B., one of Mexico’s largest pharmaceutical distributors, in
MINNEAPOLIS — The major data breach that hit Target Corp. during the holiday shopping season has cost company chairman, president and chief executive officer Gregg Steinhafel his job. Target’s board of directors announced on May 5 that the directors and Steinhafel “have decided that now is the right time for new leadership at Target.” Chief
WASHINGTON — CVS/pharmacy is the first organization applicant to seek community pharmacy accreditation from URAC, a group recognized as a leader in promoting health care quality. URAC recently announced the launch of its new accreditation program for community pharmacy. “We are pleased to be the first retail pharmacy seeking URAC’s new community pharmacy accreditation,” said
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Matt Lynch, an information technology executive with nearly 30 years’ experience, is joining Rite Aid Corp. as senior vice president and chief information officer. He will be responsible for all aspects of the drug chain’s technology and information operations, including computer systems, network infrastructure, telecommunications and data security. He will also
ARLINGTON, Va. — Forty-nine members of the House of Representatives have signed a letter to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services urging adoption of a one-year transition period for states to implement the July 2014 average manufacturer price (AMP)-based federal upper limits (FULs) for Medicaid prescription drug reimbursement. The National Association
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is launching what it describes as a first-of-its-kind service to help customers manage their monthly health insurance premiums. Bill Pay at CVS/pharmacy gives members of participating health plans the opportunity to bring their insurance bills to any of the drug chain’s 7,600 stores to pay their premiums at no additional cost.
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has begun offering expanded travel health services, including immunizations and consultations, to support nearly 60 million annual trips abroad by Americans. Appointments are now available with Walgreens pharmacists specially trained in travel health, who can advise patients traveling abroad on required or recommended immunizations, prescription refills and over-the-counter medications, as well
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart Pharmacy is working with Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy to give customers and loyalty program Shop Your Way members greater access to a wider range of medications. The move means Kmart, which has more than 800 pharmacies across the country, will be offering a new level of service and convenience to meet
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Recognized for his nearly five decades of service to pharmacy and the chain drug store industry, former Kerr Drug president and chief executive officer Tony Civello received the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award during the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting. The award was established by NACDS in 1989
