Content about Florida

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Less than one month after joining the specialty pharmacy network of health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy has received an accreditation from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the company said.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The other side of the retail clinic phenomenon is urgent care, which also is growing as the need for alternative sites of care becomes more apparent, and providers look to fill the gaps in health care. This is why it is important to note the news of Solantic’s expansion plans.

(THE NEWS: Solantic announces statewide hiring. For the full story, click here)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores on Wednesday announced that flu vaccinations are now available in all Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacies to help prepare guests for the upcoming flu season. Guests will receive the flu vaccine for the discounted rate of $24.99 when purchased using their Winn-Dixie Customer Reward Card.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Chain Drug Consortium on Thursday dispensed a formal letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission expressing its opposition to the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit management companies Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic continues to expand its list of strategic alliances, with its latest partner being Indiana University Health (IU Health), the largest health system in Indiana.

NEW YORK — PureBrands on Tuesday announced the introduction of Sheets-branded automated kiosks that will be placed in high-profile areas across the country, including malls, office buildings, stadiums and arenas in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida.

The kiosks will feature Sheets Energy Strips, a brand promoted by the NBA's LeBron James, as well as Sheets-branded hats and t-shirts. The kiosks also will feature two plasma screens embedded in the machine that allows for messaging to change daily.

TAMPA, Fla. — Winn-Dixie is putting the pedal to the metal for its Fuelperks! rewards program.

The retailer announced that beginning this week, shoppers that use the new Winn-Dixie customer reward card at any of the retailer's 95 stores in the Tampa/St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and Gainesville, Fla.; and Albany and Columbus, Ga., markets can earn significant fuel discounts at participating Shell stations.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy has joined the specialty pharmacy network of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, BioPlus said Friday.

BioPlus specializes in providing access to high-cost medications for such conditions as arthritis, hepatitis C, cancer and other complex, chronic conditions. It also educates patients on using them with the goal of improving medication adherence quality of life.

APOPKA, Fla. — Winn-Dixie on Wednesday celebrated the completion of its newly remodeled store in Florida, the grocer reported.

New departments include a deli serving restaurant-quality entrees and side dishes located just past an expanded produce department.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Fischer Pharmaceutical announced that it is looking to introduce its sunscreen product to the U.S. market.

The company announced Monday that it has tapped TransMedia Group to introduce Ultrasol to the United States. According to the company, Ultrasol is a popular sunscreen in Israel, and several U.S.-based retailers, including Walgreens, currently sell the line, which includes an extensive range of lotions and sprays for adults, athletes, kids and babies.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic has surpassed 10 million patient visits since opening its doors in 2000.

The retail clinic operator, which is owned by CVS Caremark, said that the 10 millionth patient was seen at a clinic in Quincy, Mass., one of the communities where MinuteClinic has opened new locations in the past 18 months.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Just as National Convenient Care Clinic Week gets under way and healthcare professionals gather in Orlando, Fla., to attend the fourth annual Retail Clinician Education Congress, the convenient care industry continues to evolve as MinuteClinic seals the deal on yet another clinical collaboration and a newcomer prepares to open its doors in Pennsylvania.