Content about Alliance Boots

December 10, 2012

Top 10 Pharmacy Stories of 2012

DSN looks back on the past year's most influential events in the pharmacy industry, from Obamacare and record patent expirations to Humira surpassing Lipitor as the world's top-selling drug and the merger of Walgreens and Alliance Boots.

DSN looks back on the past year's most influential events in the pharmacy industry, from Obamacare and record patent expirations to Humira surpassing Lipitor as the world's top-selling drug and the merger of Walgreens and Alliance Boots.

October 9, 2012

Executive Viewpoint Series: Greg Wasson on Alliance Boots deal

In part 2 of his exclusive interview with Walgreens executives, DSN editor Rob Eder talks to Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson about how the company’s recent acquisition of Alliance Boots helps accelerate the massive transformation that is already under way across its business and its stores.

In part 2 of his exclusive interview with Walgreens executives, DSN editor Rob Eder talks to Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson about how the company’s recent acquisition of Alliance Boots helps accelerate the massive transformation that is already under way across its business and its stores. Part of the DSN.TV Executive Viewpoint series, the special three-part installment is sponsored by Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals. Coming next week in part 3, DSN.TV talks to president of health and daily living products and solutions Joe Magnacca.

May 17, 2013

U.K. deal-maker Stefano Pessina confident in profitable 2013-2014 for Alliance Boots

Alliance Boots posted a double-digit adjusted profit gain of 12.7% to $1.2 billion for its year ended March 31. Almost half of that profit is staked by Walgreens with its 45% share of the European pharmaceutical distributing powerhouse.

A couple days later, Alliance Boots along with Walgreens and AmerisourceBergen announced the necessary regulatory clearances on that strategic partnership, cementing the three companies in place as the largest generic pharmaceutical acquisition company in the world. That deal will further enable the company's to realize greater profit margins.

May 17, 2013

Walgreens and Alliance Boots strategic partnership with AmerisourceBergen clears any regulatory hurdle

The deal that paired Walgreens and Alliance Boots with wholesaler AmerisourceBergen has received the required regulatory clearances, the companies announced Friday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The deal that paired Walgreens and Alliance Boots with wholesaler AmerisourceBergen has received the required regulatory clearances, the companies announced Friday.

The regulatory clearances permit both Walgreens and Alliance Boots the purchase of up to 7% of the fully diluted equity of AmerisourceBergen in the open market, and the exercise of two warrants for 16% in the aggregate of the fully diluted equity of AmerisourceBergen in 2016 and 2017.

May 15, 2013

Double-digit profit gains for Alliance Boots

Alliance Boots on Wednesday reported a double-digit profit gain for its year ended March 31.

BERN, Switzerland — Alliance Boots on Wednesday reported a double-digit profit gain for its year ended March 31. Underlying profit after tax was up 12.7% to $1.2 billion, though revenue was down slightly by 2.6% to $34.2 billion.

May 10, 2013

Alliance Boots distributes equity interest in Galenica

Alliance Boots on Friday announced that it has distributed its equity interest in Galenica, its Swiss associate, to the group’s ultimate parent company, AB Acquisitions Holdings, in accordance with the terms of the agreement with Walgreens reached last year.

BERN, Switzerland — Alliance Boots on Friday announced that it has distributed its equity interest in Galenica, its Swiss associate, to the group’s ultimate parent company, AB Acquisitions Holdings, in accordance with the terms of the agreement with Walgreens reached last year.

Galenica continues as an associate of AB Acquisitions Holdings. Stefano Pessina, executive chairman of Alliance Boots, continues as non-executive director of Galenica while Etienne Jornod, executive chairman of Galenica, stays as a non-executive director of Alliance Boots.

April 26, 2013

Pharmaceutical distribution agreements critical for Cardinal, McKesson

Cardinal Health announced the renewal of its pharmaceutical distribution agreement with CVS Caremark to supply pharmaceuticals to the company’s retail pharmacies and distribution centers, as McKesson, which generally serves the PBM side of the business, also announced the renewal of its current distribution agreement with the pharmacy retailer.

The renewal of the agreements was not only critical for both companies but, as Adam Fein, president of Pembroke Consulting and CEO of Drug Channels Institute, wrote in his blog “CVS Caremark Renews with Cardinal and McKesson,” it also “demonstrates wholesalers' value in the brand-name pharmacy supply chain.”

April 26, 2013

Walgreens, Alliance Boots, AmerisourceBergen deal to benefit Good Neighbor Pharmacy

AmerisourceBergen's base of 3,452 independently owned Good Neighbor Pharmacies will be another benefactor out of the wholesaler's blockbuster agreement with Walgreens and Alliance Boots, AmerisourceBergen CEO, president, director and chairman Steven Collis told analysts during a conference call Thursday.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen's base of 3,452 independently owned Good Neighbor Pharmacies will be another benefactor out of the wholesaler's blockbuster agreement with Walgreens and Alliance Boots, AmerisourceBergen CEO, president, director and chairman Steven Collis told analysts during a conference call Thursday.

April 22, 2013

WAG's latest moves offer brighter outlook on Wall Street

To the skepticism of many, Walgreens last year made a big global splash with its two-step merger deal with Alliance Boots across the pond. But with the announcement that the co-joined Walgreens/Alliance Boots had signed a 10-year distribution deal with wholesaler AmerisourceBergen, that included an equity stake to boot, well, it seemed that many analysts on Wall Street finally got it.

April 21, 2013

Slow and steady: CVS' entry into Brazil a slow dance, not a samba

It's official. During its most recent quarterly conference call with analysts, CVS Caremark revealed what many had anticipated: Its acquisition of privately held Brazilian drug store chain Drogaria Onofre was complete.

The move is not financially material to CVS Caremark, but it does mark its first foray into the international drug store space. The 44-store chain is the eighth-largest drug store chain in Brazil and, according to published reports, posted gross revenue of R$1.2 billion (Brazilian reals) in 2011.

March 27, 2013

Alliance Boots to refocus contract manufacturing business on beauty, skin care product development

Alliance Boots on Wednesday announced its contract manufacturing business BCM will invest heavier into core competency categories, such as beauty and skin care, as it discontinues third-party manufacturer development in unnamed "unprofitable" categories.

LONDON — Alliance Boots on Wednesday announced its contract manufacturing business BCM will invest heavier into core competency categories, such as beauty and skin care, as it discontinues third-party manufacturer development in unnamed "unprofitable" categories.

March 22, 2013

Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen help redefine economies of scale

Walgreens and Alliance Boots entered into a 10-year contract with wholesaler AmerisourceBergen on sourcing pharmaceuticals last week. But that's not all. Besides the long-term contract, Walgreens and Alliance Boots will have the option on a potential 23% equity stake in ABC in three years.

The deal takes pharmaceutical buying leverage to the stratosphere and changes the face of more than one health service industry. As Adam Fein, president of Pembroke Consulting, noted in a live television interview on Fox Business' "Money With Melissa Francis": "Three of the largest companies in the pharmaceutical industry have come together and built the single largest buyer of prescription drugs in the world," he said.

March 19, 2013

WAG Q2 results headed in right direction as chain prepares three new flagship openings in DC, NY and Boston

Even as Walgreens expands its operation globally through strategic partnerships with both Alliance Boots and now AmerisourceBergen, the pharmacy operator continues to create some retail pop in the U.S. market.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Even as Walgreens expands its operation globally through strategic partnerships with both Alliance Boots and now AmerisourceBergen, the pharmacy operator continues to create some retail pop in the U.S. market. For example, Walgreens has set the stage for the opening of three more flagship stores.

March 19, 2013

Walgreens, Alliance Boots announce blockbuster partnership with AmerisourceBergen

Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced Tuesday as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler. Walgreens will begin sourcing generic medicines from AmerisourceBergen beginning in the calendar year 2014.

February 13, 2013

Walgreens, Alliance Boots provide analysts color on global pharmacy opportunity

Walgreens and Alliance Boots will generate $130 billion or more in combined sales, Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO told analysts Wednesday.

LONDON — Walgreens and Alliance Boots will generate $130 billion or more in combined sales, Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told analysts Wednesday. Walgreens and Alliance Boots offered analysts a firsthand look at the Alliance Boots operation here, beginning with a store tour and then leading into presentations.

January 11, 2013

With Walgreens two trends - omnichannel retailing and ACOs - are already taking shape in 2013

Walgreens chief Greg Wasson had a new vision to share with the pharmacy operator's faithful shareholders for 2013. It was a vision that firmly placed the Express Scripts dispute in the rear-view mirror and refocused on the road ahead that includes expanding the role of pharmacy and even what it means to be a U.S. pharmacy operator with its acquisition of Alliance Boots.

Two major announcements were made in the wake of the shareholders meeting, both of which were identified by DSN as two of the top six big trends to watch through 2013. Walgreens reiterated its commitment to fostering an omnichannel experience for its shoppers and, a day after the shareholders meeting, Walgreens became the only retail pharmacy operator to partner on three Accountable Care Organizations.

Walgreens chief Greg Wasson had a new vision to share with the pharmacy operator's faithful shareholders for 2013. It was a vision that firmly placed the Express Scripts dispute in the rear-view mirror and refocused on the road ahead, that includes expanding the role of pharmacy and even what it means to be a U.S. pharmacy operator with its acquisition of Alliance Boots.

January 9, 2013

Following challenging 2012, Walgreens looks to expand pharmacy role in 2013 and beyond

"2012 was definitely an important year for Walgreens," Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told shareholders here Wednesday afternoon at the chain's annual shareholder meeting. "We did make some tough choices to protect and solidify … our position for the long term," he said. "[But] our vision is crystal clear to become the first choice for health and daily living in America."

CHICAGO — "[The year] 2012 was definitely an important year for Walgreens," Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told shareholders here, at the Navy Pier, Wednesday afternoon, at the chain's annual shareholder meeting. "We did make some tough choices to protect and solidify … our position for the long term," he said. "[But] our vision is crystal clear to become the first choice for health and daily living in America."

January 4, 2013

Walgreens further elevates beauty at mass with 'Night at the W'

Following the "People’s Choice Awards," Walgreens is celebrating its involvement in the awards by hosting “Night at the W” events at its stores nationwide on Jan. 10.

The “Night at the W,” which leverages the expertise of its beauty advisers, is yet another example of how the pharmacy retailer is elevating the beauty experience at mass. And the event is an ideal way to promote its beauty advisers.

Following the "People’s Choice Awards," Walgreens is celebrating its involvement in the awards by hosting “Night at the W” events at its stores nationwide on Jan. 10.

December 21, 2012

Returning ESI patients, strong start to loyalty program has WAG executives bullish for 2013

Though total same-store sales were down 8%, Walgreens Friday morning characterized a first quarter lifted by a steady influx of returning Express Scripts patients and driven by a steady stream of new Balance Rewards members.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Though total same-store sales were down 8%, Walgreens Friday morning characterized a first quarter lifted by a steady influx of returning Express Scripts patients and driven by a steady stream of new Balance Rewards members. The Chicagotown retailer has signed 45 million Walgreens faithful since mid-September. "Today, we have the wind at our backs as we head into a new calendar year," Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told analysts Friday morning.

November 30, 2012

Walgreens unveils Los Angeles flagship store at iconic location

Walgreens is welcoming the public on Dec. 1 to the official opening of its 8,000th store nationwide and its first flagship store on the West Coast, located in Los Angeles at the iconic corner of Sunset and Vine.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is welcoming the public on Dec. 1 to the official opening of its 8,000th store nationwide and its first flagship store on the West Coast, located in Los Angeles at the iconic corner of Sunset and Vine. (To see extensive photos of the new store and the star-studded, red carpet grand opening event, click here.)

November 29, 2012

Merger of WAG, Alliance Boots creates global Rx, HBA giant

It’s a marriage of industry icons. In June, Walgreens finally made a long-awaited leap across the Atlantic to acquire British-based Alliance Boots, one of the world’s premier retailers of pharmaceuticals, health and beauty aids, and beauty care products.  

November 2, 2012

Alliance Boots takes ownership of Alliance Healthcare Russia

Alliance Boots on Thursday announced that it has acquired ownership of its associate, Alliance Healthcare Russia, from AB Acquisitions Holdings Limited, the ultimate parent company of Alliance Boots.

ZUG, Switzerland — Alliance Boots on Thursday announced that it has acquired ownership of its associate, Alliance Healthcare Russia, from AB Acquisitions Holdings Limited, the ultimate parent company of Alliance Boots.

This follows the recently established strategic partnership with Walgreens, which included, among other things, an option for Walgreens to acquire the Alliance Healthcare Russia shareholding on exercise of its option to proceed to a full merger with Alliance Boots.

November 2, 2012

Walgreens setting the stage to be an entirely different retailer; new magazine just a first step in that direction

Omni-channel retailing is so yesterday. Omni-national retailing is the space where Walgreens is looking to play, and this magazine is just one of the first examples of how retailing concepts from the Old Country will be imported from across the Pond and translated for the U.S. market.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens launches new biannual magazine showcasing private label, Balance Rewards deals. For the full story, click here.)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Omni-channel retailing is so yesterday. Omni-national retailing is the space where Walgreens is looking to play, and this magazine is just one of the first examples of how retailing concepts from the Old Country will be imported from across the Pond and translated for the U.S. market.

October 31, 2012

Walgreens, Alliance Boots form new jointly owned company: Walgreens Boots Alliance Development

Walgreens on Tuesday announced that it has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of their strategic partnership’s synergy program.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced that it has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of their strategic partnership’s synergy program.

The new company, called Walgreens Boots Alliance Development, will be based in Bern, Switzerland.

No other details were released.

October 25, 2012

Alliance Boots partners with British food personality on launch of fresh lunch options

According to published reports, Alliance Boots earlier this week partnered with Jamie Oliver, British chef and media personality known worldwide, to launch a "deli-inspired" lunchtime range of food called Jamie Does Lunch.

LONDON — According to published reports, Alliance Boots earlier this week partnered with Jamie Oliver, British chef and media personality known worldwide, to launch a "deli-inspired" lunchtime range of food called Jamie Does Lunch.

"[This] marks the first time the celebrity chef and former Sainsbury's brand ambassador has launched an 'on-the-go' range with a high street retailer," reported Marketing Magazine, which is based here. Like Walgreens in the United States, the U.K. retailer is looking to expand its "fresh" footprint.