Content about Barack Obama

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The number of new drug shortages has been halved as early notifications from manufacturers of potential shortages have increased sixfold, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration wrote Thursday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association are urging Congress to reject budget proposals that would limit pharmacy choice for Tricare beneficiaries.

The call to action from the two groups follows the release of President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2013 budget plans. A provision in the government's FY 2013 budget would increase co-pays for prescription medications at community pharmacies for Tricare patients, but lower co-pays for prescriptions filled via mail order.

NEW YORK — Controversy over a plan by the Obama administration to require health insurance plans to provide free contraception to women has led the administration to seek a policy that it is calling a compromise with conservative groups opposed to the measure, according to published reports.

The controversy surrounded the new rule's requirement that employee health insurance plans provide free birth control, including those run by the Roman Catholic church, such as hospitals and universities. The Church opposes birth control.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it has issued an open letter to President Obama, urging him to call for action on initiatives that support a strong retail sector when he delivers his State of the Union address later this month. The letter was signed by Macy’s chairman, president and CEO Terry Lundgren, who chairs the NRF board of directors, and NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Friday announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private-sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next two years. These investments will save billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced that it will be joining first lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the fourth annual "Business Steps Up: Hiring our Heroes" event to be held Thursday in Washington, D.C.

CHICAGO — First Lady Michelle Obama will be visiting with mayors from 10 U.S. cities on Oct. 25 at a Chicago-area Walgreens, according to published reports.

First Lady Obama, along with Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, will be discussing her "Let's Move" campaign to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Wednesday announced that former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs will be a featured speaker at The Conference, CRN’s annual symposium for the dietary supplement industry.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Amid debt ceiling talks, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has sent a letter to President Barack Obama and to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate leadership outlining key areas to help ensure continued patient access to pharmacy services through such federally funded programs as Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE, the association announced on Wednesday. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. and HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Walmart and Sears Holdings have both announced their commitment to helping military members maintain employment when moving from one community to another.

The commitment is in line with the new Joining Forces initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden to raise awareness around the challenges that military personnel and their spouses endure when moving from one community to another.

WASHINGTON — The largest retail trade association on Wednesday said that President Obama's State of the Union address recognized the industry's role in job creation.

The National Retail Federation said that the president's "continued support of 'commonsense safeguards,'" which included support of such proposals as swipe fee limits, "will help retailers innovate and support the consumer spending that is crucial to job creation."