Content about Medicinal chemistry

April 25, 2011
Lewis overhaul plays up Rx

Lewis Drug has a new face, which not only places a greater emphasis on the front end, but also boasts a larger, revamped pharmacy. 


Those who have visited the newly opened store on Louise Avenue in Sioux Falls, S.D., undoubtedly will see the Lewis Drug store of the future, president and CEO Mark Griffin told Drug Store News in a recent interview.


April 25, 2011
Pharmaca touts ‘integrative’ health

The new Pharmaca stores make a very bold statement about the relationship between pharmacy and prevention. The company unveiled its new store design in Menlo Park, Calif., in November 2010. The 6,800-sq.-ft. store continues Pharmaca’s “integrative pharmacy” model, which emphasizes holistic approaches to health care and features eight licensed practitioners.


April 25, 2011
Pharmacy, makeover lifts Fred’s sales

Fred’s last year migrated its more than 300 pharmacies to a more convenient front-of-store position in an effort to boost pharmacy revenue — and it worked. Fred’s 2010 pharmacy sales growth of 4.8% outpaced the discounter’s overall sales growth of 3% for the year. At the time Fred’s began executing against the pharmacy makeover, the company reported that test stores featuring front-of-store pharmacies enjoyed 20% higher sales per square foot as compared with the company’s average.


April 25, 2011
Pow!

85% — that’s more or less the combined market share for the companies that make up the 2011 DSN PoweRx50, approximately $185 billion of the total $218 billion retail pharmacy industry. Numbering almost 50,000 stores among them, or more than 8-of-10 of all the pharmacies in the United States — BAM! — the DSN PoweRx50 indisputably reflects the true titans of the retail pharmacy industry.


April 25, 2011
RCEC to bring pharmacists, NPs together


ORLANDO, Fla. — Studies have indicated that the best people to get patients to adhere to their medication therapies are store pharmacists, while the second-best people are nurses. Thus, it’s only natural that getting nurses and pharmacists to collaborate will further improve adherence. The collaborative care track that The Drug Store News Group will introduce at the Retail Clinician Education Congress in August is a step in that direction.


April 25, 2011
Reader confronts need for clinics

In response to the news last month that Rite Aid named Tony Montini EVP merchandising, DSN shared this exchange with an online reader.


In response to the news last month that Rite Aid named Tony Montini EVP merchandising, DSN shared this exchange with an online reader:


Dear DSN;


I am a Rite Aid pharmacist in the small desert town of Needles, Calif. Needles is a poor town with a lot of our business being Medi-Cal — state Medicaid. ... This is the rub: There are no Medi-Cal providers in the city! Most people have to go to the emergency room, or those with Medicare D plans [travel] 20 miles across the Colorado River to Arizona. ...


April 25, 2011
Sav-Mor promotes its small-town spirit

Armed with the positioning line, “It’s Time To Get Better,” Sav-Mor Drug Stores continues to emphasize the big difference between its network of franchised locations and the corporate mentality of the chain operations.


To that end, its most recent radio and television campaign positioned the pharmacies against the large national chains. The customer-
service-focused campaign established the Sav-Mor pharmacist as “your personal pharmacist” along with the idea that “nobody cares more for the customer than the owner.”


April 21, 2011
Amber, Kubat join NeHII

Specialty pharmacy provider Amber Pharmacy and pharmacy retailer Kubat Pharmacy have joined the first network to electronically exchange clinical patient information and medication therapy with healthcare providers in and around Nebraska, the Nebraska Health Information Initiative said Wednesday.

OMAHA, Neb. — Specialty pharmacy provider Amber Pharmacy and pharmacy retailer Kubat Pharmacy have joined the first network to electronically exchange clinical patient information and medication therapy with healthcare providers in and around Nebraska, the Nebraska Health Information Initiative said Wednesday.

April 20, 2011
Reshaping pharmacy amid a healthcare crisis

The budget crunch and pharmacy’s ability to help provide solutions to a fractured healthcare system are sure to be dominant themes at the NACDS Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., this year. As he prepared for the event, Steve Anderson, president and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, spoke at length with Drug Store News about the issues he’ll address at the conference, the organization’s current priorities and his outlook for 2011.

Since taking the reins at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores four years ago, Steve Anderson has reshaped the organization and led an aggressive — and quite successful — campaign to raise pharmacy’s profile and give it a bigger stake in reshaping the overwrought healthcare system.

April 18, 2011
Getting on board

At the upcoming 2011 Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas, Amber Pharmacy president Mike Agostino — recently appointed to the Board of Advisors of Specialty Pharmacy — will give a presentation focused on the specialty pharmacy marketplace and the importance of customers. Specialty Pharmacy had the chance to talk with Agostino about the contents of his presentation and his new role.

At the upcoming 2011 Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas, Amber Pharmacy president Mike Agostino — recently appointed to the Board of Advisors of Specialty Pharmacy — will give a presentation focused on the specialty pharmacy marketplace and the importance of customers. Specialty Pharmacy had the chance to talk with Agostino about the contents of his presentation and his new role.

Specialty Pharmacy: What will be the topic of your presentation at Armada?

April 18, 2011
NCPA, Purdue kick off 'Protect Your Pharmacy Week'

The National Community Pharmacists Association and Purdue Pharma announced the start of “Protect Your Pharmacy Week” — a reflection of the Protect Your Pharmacy Now! initiative that began in 2008 to encourage pharmacists to protect their stores, staff and patients against pharmacy crimes, including prescription drug robbery and thefts.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association and Purdue Pharma announced the start of “Protect Your Pharmacy Week” — a reflection of the Protect Your Pharmacy Now! initiative that began in 2008 to encourage pharmacists to protect their stores, staff and patients against pharmacy crimes, including prescription drug robbery and thefts.

April 14, 2011
NCPA: Pharmacists can help combat Rx drug abuse

Local pharmacists work with patients and law enforcement to combat the abuse of controlled substances and other prescription drugs, but changes to federal policy are needed to allow pharmacists to play a greater role, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested Thursday in comments submitted to Congress.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Local pharmacists work with patients and law enforcement to combat the abuse of controlled substances and other prescription drugs, but changes to federal policy are needed to allow pharmacists to play a greater role, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested Thursday in comments submitted to Congress.

April 14, 2011
Prescription Solutions introduces Value Network

A pharmacy benefit management organization has introduced a pharmacy network that includes about 20,000 pharmacies across the United States.

IRVINE, Calif. — A pharmacy benefit management organization has introduced a pharmacy network that includes about 20,000 pharmacies across the United States.

Prescription Solutions said its Value Network now is available to clients of any size, including employers, unions, public agencies and coalitions.

April 7, 2011
NCPA to Texas government: Contain Medicaid costs by utilizing community pharmacists

Texas policymakers seeking to contain Medicaid costs should utilize community pharmacists to achieve both savings and optimal health outcomes, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested on Thursday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Texas policymakers seeking to contain Medicaid costs should utilize community pharmacists to achieve both savings and optimal health outcomes, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested on Thursday.

April 4, 2011
New Cardinal Health toolkit helps independent pharmacists with social media outreach

Cardinal Health on Monday released the independent pharmacist’s social media toolkit, available exclusively to its independent retail pharmacy customers in recognition of the fundamental change in how independent pharmacies interact today with their patients and market their businesses.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Monday released the independent pharmacist’s social media toolkit, available exclusively to its independent retail pharmacy customers in recognition of the fundamental change in how independent pharmacies interact today with their patients and market their businesses.

March 31, 2011
NCPA: Florida bill sacrifices indie pharmacy in war on drugs

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday spoke out against a Florida bill sponsored by state Rep. Rob Schenck, R-District 44, which would restrict the dispensing of controlled substances on Schedule II and III to publicly traded pharmacy chains and pharmacies that have more than $100 million in taxable revenues, or only those independent community pharmacies that have been in business more than 10 years.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday spoke out against a Florida bill sponsored by state Rep. Rob Schenck, R-District 44, which would restrict the dispensing of controlled substances on Schedule II and III to publicly traded pharmacy chains and pharmacies that have more than $100 million in taxable revenues, or only those independent community pharmacies that have been in business more than 10 years.

March 29, 2011
RCEC to bring pharmacists, NPs together on collaborative care track

Studies have indicated that the best people to get patients to adhere to their medication therapies are store pharmacists, while the second-best people are nurses. Thus, it’s only natural that getting nurses and pharmacists to collaborate will further improve adherence. The collaborative care track that The Drug Store News Group will introduce at the Retail Clinician Education Congress in August is a step in that direction.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Studies have indicated that the best people to get patients to adhere to their medication therapies are store pharmacists, while the second-best people are nurses. Thus, it’s only natural that getting nurses and pharmacists to collaborate will further improve adherence. The collaborative care track that The Drug Store News Group will introduce at the Retail Clinician Education Congress in August is a step in that direction.

March 25, 2011
Natco to sell retail pharmacy?

Indian generic drug maker may end its five-year stint as a retail pharmacy operator, according to published reports.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian generic drug maker may end its five-year stint as a retail pharmacy operator, according to published reports.

The Hindu Business Line reported Thursday that Natco was considering the sale of the SaveMart Pharmacy store in Lancaster, Pa.

March 25, 2011
NCPA applauds legislation that will boost PBM oversight in Mississippi

A group representing the nation's community pharmacies has applauded legislation introduced in Mississippi that will increase oversight over pharmacy benefit managers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A group representing the nation's community pharmacies has applauded legislation introduced in Mississippi that will increase oversight over pharmacy benefit managers.

The National Community Pharmacists Association lauded Mississippi S.B. 2445 and expressed its support of the bill in a letter to state legislators. The bill, NCPA EVP and CEO Kathleen Jaeger said, "would end the special treatment for out-of-state, mail-order pharmacies and put local Mississippi pharmacists first."

March 15, 2011
The Apothecary Shops announces 18th store opening

Specialty pharmacy provider The Apothecary Shops has opened its 18th store, the company said Monday.

AUSTIN, Texas — Specialty pharmacy provider The Apothecary Shops has opened its 18th store, the company said Monday.

TAS Specialty Pharmacy, an affiliate of Phoenix-based The Apothecary Shops of Deer Valley, opened a full-service specialty pharmacy with a compounding lab in Austin, Texas. The 2,500-sq.-ft. pharmacy will specialize in cancer, transplants, infectious diseases, fertility, women’s health, pain management, eye diseases and animal health.

March 9, 2011
NACDS resumes ad campaign promoting role of pharmacy

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has resumed its paid advertising campaign promoting the role of pharmacy in the healthcare delivery system.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has resumed its paid advertising campaign promoting the role of pharmacy in the healthcare delivery system.

Since 2007, the NACDS has emphasized its theme of "Pharmacies, the face of neighborhood health care,” and will continue emphasizing the value of pharmacy with the message this week.

March 9, 2011
NCPA emphasizes Dispose My Meds program during Patient Safety Awareness Week

In line with Patient Safety Awareness Week, which began Sunday, the National Community Pharmacists Association is encouraging patients to properly dispose of their expired or unused medications safely and effectively.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In line with Patient Safety Awareness Week, which began Sunday, the National Community Pharmacists Association is encouraging patients to properly dispose of their expired or unused medications safely and effectively.

February 18, 2011
Annual NACDS event will bring healthcare issues to light

As one retail pharmacy executive put it, "many members of Congress only experience the pharmacy industry through their eyes as a patient." Thanks to NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, however, that no longer has to be the case.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — As one retail pharmacy executive put it, "many members of Congress only experience the pharmacy industry through their eyes as a patient." Thanks to NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, however, that no longer has to be the case.

(THE NEWS: NACDS RxImpact Day 2011 takes aim at new lawmakers. For the full story, click here)

February 18, 2011
NACDS, NCPA call pharmacy 'backbone of Medicaid's drug benefit'

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday sent a joint letter to every governor and state Medicaid director on the importance of pharmacies in Medicaid and the industry’s interest in working with state governments to cut costs.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday sent a joint letter to every governor and state Medicaid director on the importance of pharmacies in Medicaid and the industry’s interest in working with state governments to cut costs.

February 16, 2011
NACDS RxImpact Day 2011 takes aim at new lawmakers

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its members from across the country once again are flocking to Capitol Hill for RxImpact Day, a groundbreaking, two-day event that enables pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the vital role of retail pharmacy within the U.S. healthcare system and its ability to help reduce annual healthcare costs.

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its members from across the country once again are flocking to Capitol Hill for RxImpact Day, a groundbreaking, two-day event that enables pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the vital role of retail pharmacy within the U.S. healthcare system and its ability to help reduce annual healthcare costs.