WASHINGTON — Pharmacy groups have joined a pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if cuts to the reimbursement rates paid under Medicaid violate federal law. In a brief filed with the Court earlier this month, the American Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacists Association and National Alliance
NEW YORK — Charlie Bowlus is being remembered by chain drug and manufacturing executives as much for his disarming warmth and sincerity as for breaking new ground in retailer-supplier relations. Bowlus, founder and chief executive officer of ECRM, died this month of complications from emergency surgery. He was 64. He would not want to be
WASHINGTON — As stocks gyrated and the economy sputtered, the leaders of CVS Caremark Corp. and Walmart called for Congress to restructure the corporate tax code. CVS Caremark president and chief executive officer Larry Merlo told the Senate Finance Committee that lowering the maximum corporate tax rate would allow the company to accelerate investments in
NEW YORK — Through national programs, local public-private initiatives and individual efforts of chain drug stores, retail pharmacists are gaining increased recognition as providers of influenza vaccinations. For example, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores recently received a certificate of appreciation from assistant surgeon general Anne Schuchat recognizing NACDS’ participation in the National Influenza
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Public relations and communications veteran Susan Henderson has joined Rite Aid Corp. as senior vice president and chief communications officer. She replaces Karen Rugen, who retired last month. Henderson joins Rite Aid after serving as a consultant for Chicago-based Gagen MacDonald, a strategy execution and employee engagement company. Prior to that
Charlie Bowlus died earlier this month. It was the sudden, inexplicable, deeply and shockingly heartbreaking event that happens all too frequently to those whom we most care about, those whose indestructability we take for granted, those we assume will always be with us, those who are irreplaceable. Charlie Bowlus was a giant who never realized
As the leaders of community pharmacy gather in Boston for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference, the profession continues to confront a number of unresolved issues that could have a direct bearing on its ability to provide accessible, affordable patient care and maintain its financial viability. Consider the developments that
ST. LOUIS — In one fell swoop, the pharmacy benefits market is changing in a big way. The $29.1 billion merger between Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc., the No. 2 and No. 3 pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), respectively, would create the nation’s largest PBM, if the transaction clears regulatory hurdles. The combined
WASHINGTON — The proposed merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions is expected to face close scrutiny from antitrust regulators because the combined company would have leverage over about a third of U.S. prescriptions filled. News of the deal drew sharp criticism from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has launched a letter-writing campaign to benefits consultants that outlines the reasons it likely won’t be part of Express Scripts Inc.’s pharmacy provider network after December 31. Kermit Crawford, president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Walgreens, notes in the correspondence that the two sides remain far apart on key
MEDLEY, Fla. — Navarro Discount Pharmacy has made a habit of thinking outside the small box. While it has just 29 drug stores, and they’re all in one county, the retailer has of late ventured into e-commerce, a mobile pharmacy app and creation of the first bilingual Hispanic private label, all the while beginning a
WASHINGTON — Executives from some of the largest mass-market retailers vowed at a White House ceremony to open or expand 1,500 stores in communities designated as “food deserts” because of limited access to nutritious food. Appearing with first lady Michelle Obama, whose Partnership for a Healthier America is working to combat obesity by improving Americans’
WASHINGTON — Given the high stakes, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores made sure that pharmacy’s voice was heard in the wrangling over the nation’s debt ceiling and its members were prepared in the event that no deal was reached. NACDS sent a letter to President Obama and congressional leaders that spotlighted critical pharmacy
BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc. founder Barry Perzow is retiring from his position as chairman. Perzow will continue to serve on the chain’s board of directors. With a background of running natural grocery stores, Perzow came up with the idea of a pharmacy that would offer traditional prescription medications and alternative remedies. The
