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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and HumanaVitality have developed a unique way to incentivize people to eat healthier while promoting increased customer traffic at Walmart stores.

The companies on Wednesday morning launched a first-of-its-kind program called Vitality HealthyFood, whereby Walmart offers a 5% discount on produce items to HumanaVitality members. The discount is loaded on a card in the form of a credit within five business days that can be redeemed on a subsequent trip to Walmart.

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals — reducing costs for health plans, payers and patients; scrambling drug makers’ balance sheets; and potentially boosting both drug utilization and adherence rates as reduced out-of-pocket costs induce more patients to fill their prescriptions.


As of Sept. 15, California became the eighth state in which Amazon.com will levy sales taxes on purchases made by residents in that state. Pennsylvania joined that group two weeks prior. Add to that the five states that don’t have any sales taxes, and that’s 13 states where national brick-and-click retailers are competing on a level playing field with the pure-play online retail juggernaut. 


A lot of people have quite a few things to say about healthcare reform, whether they favor or oppose it. But supporters of the law show an altruistic sensibility and an understanding of how the law would benefit other Americans, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Costs are the biggest concern for opponents of healthcare reform. They’ve done the math — additional healthcare consumers means care that’s both more expensive and harder to come by. As many as 3-in-4 consumers who are not big fans of healthcare reform share that concern — 30% of those consumers suggested it’s their greatest concern, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. A reduction in care quality was concern No.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation told a congressional panel Wednesday that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury have used too much informal guidance and not enough formal rule-making in developing regulations to implement the new healthcare reform law, complicating retailers' and other employers' ability to plan for what will be required in 2014. NRF is concerned that the situation is the latest example of regulatory uncertainty that is hampering businesses' attempts to expand and create jobs.



WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is set to go to court in order to block the proposed $7.25 billion settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over Visa and MasterCard credit card swipe fees.

BOSTON — The future North American grocery business of Kraft Foods will deliver steady and profitable top-line growth, consistent bottom-line growth and a superior dividend payout, according to the business's future executive team.

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Cetaphil line of cleansers and moisturizers from Galderma Labs has teamed up with Camp Wonder, an initiative of the Children's Skin Disease Foundation, and will sponsor the organization by donating a portion of the proceeds of a special-edition moisturizing cream, available exclusively at Walgreens. The brand also is granting $100,000 to fund camp activities and more.

The official partnership kicked off in June to coincide with the annual Camp Wonder.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — While regulations meant to control the prices of drugs dispensed through physician offices for injured workers can keep costs down without limiting access, employers in many states may end up paying more than twice what they would have if the workers had gone to a pharmacy instead, according to a new study.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group on Wednesday honored four employees that are celebrating 25 years with the company this year: Cindy Eichstaedt, data entry assistant; Todd Marshall, network administrator; Kat Fronek, national account manager; and Steve Brester, information technology manager.

“We recognize how special it is to have employees reach this milestone with a company, and we are fortunate to have this depth of experience on our team,” stated Dawn Vogelsang, HRG president and leader of the owners group.