WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission’s request for more information on the planned merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. has opponents hoping the deal will be scuttled. Express Scripts says it expected the FTC’s request, and both companies have vowed to work with the agency. Express Scripts and Medco say they
WASHINGTON — Community pharmacy advocates say that the “super committee” on deficit reduction should collaborate with community pharmacy on reducing health care costs while maintaining patient access to prescription drugs and pharmacy services. In a letter sent to the 12-member committee this month, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores highlights the accessibility of local
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has joined forces with the health care information provider OptumHealth to give customers in greater Detroit what the drug chain says is “the latest in quality, convenient online health care.” The effort is centered on what the two companies are calling NowClinic Online Care services that are available
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Regional chains such as Lewis Drugs are making important contributions to the transformation of retail pharmacies into true community health care centers. This week the 32-store chain, which operates in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, will hold the latest installment in its annual series of flu shot clinics in Sioux Falls.
MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy has expanded its management team, bringing in Luis Mier as chief financial officer and promoting Manuel Leon to vice president of wholesale and over-the-counter programs. “With the addition of these executives to our management team, we continue to focus on implementation of our three-year expansion strategy and the overall growth
NEW YORK — Drug chains posted strong results last month, although anemic sales in other retail channels suggest consumers remain reluctant to spend any more than necessary. Walgreen Co. recorded volume of $6.1 billion, up 7.8% over August 2010. Total front-end sales climbed 6.8%, and comparable front-end sales rose 4.8%. Customer traffic in comparable stores
RICHMOND, Va. — A federal appeals court here has dismissed two cases challenging the 2010 health care reform law, ruling the plaintiffs did not have grounds to sue. Two of the three judges on the panel said they would have upheld the law if they had been able to rule on the suits’ merits. Other
Not in recent — or even distant — memory has a mass retailer tapped an outsider to head up its executive ranks. Yet that’s what is about to happen, on October 1, when Mark Cosby officially becomes president of the CVS/pharmacy unit of CVS Caremark. It is a daunting assignment. Depending on how one calculates
When Andy Giancamilli steps down as chief executive officer of Katz Group Canada at the beginning of February, his move to an advisory role at the company will mark the end of a career in community pharmacy that exemplifies what the profession means for the people who practice it and the patients it serves. For
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Incoming CVS/pharmacy president Mark Cosby is a good fit with the chain, industry analysts say. Cosby, 52, who was president of stores for Macy’s Inc., will take the helm at the CVS Caremark Corp.’s retail pharmacy unit on October 1. He succeeds Larry Merlo, who led the drug store business before being
BOSTON — Mother Nature took a shot at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference here late last month, but in the end was unable to derail the premier event for leaders in the retail pharmacy business. Hurricane Irene’s progress up the East Coast during the first two days of the
BOSTON — Hailing community pharmacy’s unsurpassed value, industry leaders urged attendees at the NACDS Pharmacy and Technology Conference to ensure its future vitality. “Together, we have a powerful story to tell,” said conference chairman Debra Garza, Walgreen Co.’s divisional vice president of government and community relations. “We need to stand up. We need to tell
BOSTON — Community pharmacies are reaping the financial rewards as more physicians across the United States embrace electronic prescribing, the head of the nation’s e-prescribing network said at the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference here. “E-prescribing is well beyond the tipping point,” Surescripts president and chief executive officer Harry Totonis said, noting how in three
NEW YORK — Initial reports from chain drug retailers with stores in the path of Hurricane Irene indicate relatively modest damage. Cost estimates were unavailable at presstime. At CVS/pharmacy, the tally was five drug stores shuttered, including three in New Jersey, which saw widespread flooding for several days after Irene unleashed her wrath. Extensive flooding
