ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should stop publishing draft federal upper limit (FUL) lists based on average manufacturer price (AMP) until a formal rule-making process on AMP is completed, says the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. To date, CMS has issued four draft FUL lists. “In addition to
GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Regional chain Kinney Drugs has revamped its merchandising department. The chain, which operates 91 drug stores in northern New York state and neighboring Vermont, says the move, which has seen several executives promoted, will help it enhance relations with vendors and improve its product planning and lead to better product assortments. “These
CAMP HILL, Pa. — With its top-line and operating results on the upswing, Rite Aid Corp. has moved to refinance debt. The drug chain this month announced a plan to issue $481 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2020 to help fund a tender offer to buy $459 million of its 8.625% senior notes
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has relaunched its weekly circular, giving the Sunday promotional piece a new look and tying it into the retailer’s online and mobile platforms. “This is the most dramatic refresh we’ve made to the weekly ad in more than two decades, delivering added value for our growing numbers of online and
NAPLES, Fla. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Bob Loeffler told attendees at the NACDS Regional Chain Conference that retailers and suppliers alike will benefit from next year’s inaugural NACDS Total Store Expo. The expo is scheduled for August 10 to 13, 2013, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. The Regional Chain
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Chain Drug Marketing Association’s (CDMA’s) 86th Annual Trade Expo here last month attracted a record-breaking number of attendees, the group says. The show offered attendees access to 110 exhibitors on its trade floor, a store brand forum, the CDMA Showroom and the association’s direct import program. In addition, CDMA shareholders elected
Ending a 40-year career in retailing that has been as impressive in its diversity as it has been stunning in its achievements, Andy Giancamilli has stepped down as chief executive officer of Mississauga, Ontario-based Katz Drug. Anyone who really cares about mass retailing in America knows of Giancamilli, his travels, his accomplishments and his impact.
As the Federal Trade Commission ponders the potential ramifications of a $29 billion merger between Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, it confronts a number of weighty issues. The combination of two of the nation’s three largest pharmacy benefit management companies would create an entity with unprecedented clout in the prescription drug market, one with
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Katz Group Canada has agreed to sell its two banner pharmacy businesses, Drug Trading Co. and Medicine Shoppe Canada, to McKesson Corp. in a $920 million (Canadian) cash deal. Drug Trading provides purchasing, merchandising and other value-added services to some 850 independent pharmacists under the Guardian and I.D.A. banners, while Medicine Shoppe
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has agreed to acquire BioScrip Inc.’s specialty pharmacies and centralized specialty and mail-service pharmacy businesses. The $225 million deal includes about $170 million in cash at closing and BioScrip’s retention of associated accounts receivable and working capital liabilities of about $55 million. The deal could also generate as much as
WASHINGTON — Pharmacy Advisor, CVS Caremark Corp.’s integrated pharmacy-based program for diabetes and other chronic diseases, has demonstrably increased medication adherence rates and physician initiation of prescriptions for concomitant medications to improve patient health. At a recent Health Affairs forum, CVS Caremark chief health care strategy and marketing officer Helena Foulkes presented findings from a
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and several other health care organizations are hailing a recent decision by a federal court to block California officials from proceeding with a 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cut that had been approved by the federal government. “We commend the court’s final
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson was joined by former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Sen. Richard Lugar (R., Ind.) and community leaders at a ceremony marking the grand reopening of Walgreens’ newly renovated stores in the Indianapolis market. All of the 68 Walgreens stores in the Indianapolis
The federal government’s proposed rule on Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement using the average manufacturer price (AMP) model is being closely examined by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. NACDS is reviewing the proposal with its members and will provide comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said president and chief executive officer
