Content about But pharmacy

May 14, 2013
Riding the bend in the health cost curve

Americans and their health care plans are spending less on medicines and health services. Is that a good thing?

Americans and their healthcare plans are spending less on medicines and health services. Is that a good thing?

Researchers for the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics posed that question with the release of a report on the U.S. pharmaceutical market this week. But pharmacy leaders, independent and chain pharmacists, the U.S. health system and healthcare advocates are going to be dealing with the implications of that trend going forward.

November 20, 2012
Fred's looks to grow through Diplomat Specialty partnership and Drug and Dollar concept pharmacy

Any trickle-down of an improving economy hasn't trickled down to Fred's consumer base, Bruce Efird, Fred's CEO, told analysts Tuesday morning in discussing the discounter's third-quarter results.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Any trickle-down of an improving economy hasn't trickled down to Fred's consumer base, Bruce Efird, Fred's CEO, told analysts Tuesday morning in discussing the discounter's third-quarter results. "During the third quarter we continue to see generally weak economic conditions throughout the Southeast which are clearly weighing heavily on our customers and influencing how they shop for their basic needs," he said. "It's more evident that things are not getting better for our core customers." 

October 9, 2012
Building the ACO

New, holistic models for integrated, patient-centered care are emerging from the fog of health reform almost as fast as you can say “accountable care organization.” But pharmacy and retail clinic operators aren’t waiting for ACOs to fully ripen.

New, holistic models for integrated, patient-centered care are emerging from the fog of health reform almost as fast as you can say “accountable care organization.” But pharmacy and retail clinic operators aren’t waiting for ACOs to fully ripen; they’re forging new alliances with hospital-based health systems and building the kind of continuity-of-care networks that could be a template for the new era of evidence-based medicine and improved patient outcomes.


September 4, 2012
Patients to PBMs: Give us choices, not mandatory mail!

It's no secret that managed care has steered millions of Americans into ordering their maintenance medications by mail. But pharmacy benefit managers should take note: Most patients don't like the arrangement.

It's no secret that managed care has steered millions of Americans into ordering their maintenance medications by mail. But pharmacy benefit managers should take note: Most patients don't like the arrangement.

December 22, 2010
Walgreens drives accelerating renewal program

In a resounding declaration that its massive revitalization efforts have been the right strategy at the right time, Walgreens on Wednesday reported its net earnings jumped to a record $580 million in first quarter fiscal 2011, rising nearly 19% over prior-year levels. Sales for the period ended Nov. 30 also rose 6% to $17.3 billion, another record for the nation’s top drug retailer.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a resounding declaration that its massive revitalization efforts have been the right strategy at the right time, Walgreens on Wednesday reported its net earnings jumped to a record $580 million in first quarter fiscal 2011, rising nearly 19% over prior-year levels. Sales for the period ended Nov. 30 also rose 6% to $17.3 billion, another record for the nation’s top drug retailer.

December 20, 2010
Reform will bolster pharmacy, GAO confirms

A study by the Government Accountability Office confirmed that the health-reform law enacted earlier this year established a more reasonable reimbursement level for pharmacies dispensing generic drugs to patients covered by Medicaid. But pharmacy retailers still face the continued threat of further Medicaid cuts at the state level, the independent pharmacy lobby warned Friday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A study by the Government Accountability Office confirmed that the health-reform law enacted earlier this year established a more reasonable reimbursement level for pharmacies dispensing generic drugs to patients covered by Medicaid. But pharmacy retailers still face the continued threat of further Medicaid cuts at the state level, the independent pharmacy lobby warned Friday.