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October 9, 2012

Another factor greasing the skids for health system/retail pharmacy/clinic alliances is a clear shift in cultural and societal attitudes.

Another factor greasing the skids for health system/retail pharmacy/clinic alliances is a clear shift in cultural and societal attitudes. The nation appears to be ready for the integration of retail pharmacies and walk-in ambulatory care centers with hospitals, and the use of those community-based outlets as initial points of contact with health professionals for many health concerns and conditions. 


October 9, 2012

Diabetes is one of the country’s most serious public health crises, and it will likely remain so for some time. According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million Americans now have the disease, with another 79 million at risk, and most of those with the disease have Type 2 diabetes — the kind that results from lifestyle choices.


Diabetes is one of the country’s most serious public health crises, and it will likely remain so for some time. According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million Americans now have the disease, with another 79 million at risk, and most of those with the disease have Type 2 diabetes — the kind that results from lifestyle choices.


But half of “public health” is “public,” and recent efforts by retailers and suppliers have sought to combat the disease at the community level.


October 9, 2012

As evidenced by data provided by SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, the bath and body segment is lacking some of its lather as sales of bath/body scrubbers and body wash took a dip.

As evidenced by data provided by SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, the bath and body segment is lacking some of its lather as sales of bath/body scrubbers and body wash took a dip.

 

October 9, 2012

There’s a new option for chronic pain sufferers that ought to spark some growth across external analgesics, including heat and ice packs: Omron’s recently approved ElectroTherapy Pain Relief unit.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — There’s a new option for chronic pain sufferers that ought to spark some growth across external analgesics, including heat and ice packs: Omron’s recently approved ElectroTherapy Pain Relief unit. There are as many as 60 million chronic pain sufferers, according to the American Chronic Pain Association. And of those in search of pain relief solutions, 80% seek more than one type, according to research conducted on behalf of Thermionics. So Omron’s $69.99 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit should be an adjunctive sale.

October 9, 2012

CVS Caremark’s front-store business continues to experience solid performance despite a weak economy — success that can be credited to such factors as a skilled merchandising team, a focus on store brands and a clustering initiative that tailors stores’ merchandise mix based on how the stores are shopped in certain locations.


CVS Caremark’s front-store business continues to experience solid performance despite a weak economy — success that can be credited to such factors as a skilled merchandising team, a focus on store brands and a clustering initiative that tailors stores’ merchandise mix based on how the stores are shopped in certain locations.


October 9, 2012

Beyond the most obvious impetus for providing vaccines at the retail pharmacy level — it protects the public’s health by providing a more convenient option than making an appointment with the doctor — it also might help save money for employers.


Beyond the most obvious impetus for providing vaccines at the retail pharmacy level — it protects the public’s health by providing a more convenient option than making an appointment with the doctor — it also might help save money for employers.


A study recently published in the journal Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation found that when more vaccinations are administered in an alternate setting, such as a pharmacy, employers realize a greater cost benefit. 


October 9, 2012

The New York City health commissioner’s ban on the sale of big cups of fountain soda drew many an unfavorable accusation that the administration of mayor Michael Bloomberg was trying to turn the city into a nanny state, with NaturalNews.com editor Mike Adams asking, “What’s next? Is Bloomberg gonna pull a Singapore and ban chewing gum too?”


The New York City health commissioner’s ban on the sale of big cups of fountain soda drew many an unfavorable accusation that the administration of mayor Michael Bloomberg was trying to turn the city into a nanny state, with NaturalNews.com editor Mike Adams asking, “What’s next? Is Bloomberg gonna pull a Singapore and ban chewing gum too?”


October 9, 2012

On the horizon of diabetes offerings at retail is telemedicine — a concept that may come sooner than later thanks to the rapid adoption of smartphones by consumers.

On the horizon of diabetes offerings at retail is telemedicine — a concept that may come sooner than later thanks to the rapid adoption of smartphones by consumers. In March 2012, researchers from the Stanford Prevention Research Center reported that smartphone applications can raise awareness and motivate older adults to improve their health. After eight weeks, 80% of participants reported increased awareness regarding a targeted health behavior (increased walking, decreased sitting time, improved diet), and three-quarters said the apps helped track the behavior.

October 9, 2012

Pet products have moved into the OTC aisles and even behind the pharmacy. Sales of pet supplies/OTC medicine are expected to reach $12.56 billion in 2012, according to the American Pet Products Association. 


Pet products have moved into the OTC aisles and even behind the pharmacy. Sales of pet supplies/OTC medicine are expected to reach $12.56 billion in 2012, according to the American Pet Products Association. 


One of the key drivers of the category, according to Packaged Facts, is the growing population of pets with specialized health needs, especially senior and overweight dogs and cats.


October 9, 2012

As part of its exclusive Executive Viewpoint video series, DSN editor Rob Eder interviewed Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson and president of health and daily living solutions Joe Magnacca for DSN.TV.

As part of its exclusive Executive Viewpoint video series, DSN editor Rob Eder interviewed Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson and president of health and daily living solutions Joe Magnacca for DSN.TV. In this special three-part installment, sponsored by Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals, Wasson and Magnacca discuss the vision that is guiding the transformation of Walgreens’ business and its stores, and what it all means for patients, payers and suppliers.

October 4, 2012

As the nation works to iron out the ultimate impact of healthcare reform, thousands of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in retail health clinics across the country are already on the front lines working to improve patient lives and expand access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. To recognize the best of the best, DSN Collaborative Care/Retail Clinician magazine — in partnership with the Convenient Care Association — each year hosts the annual Clinician Awards for Retail Excellence (CARE).

As the nation works to iron out the ultimate impact of healthcare reform, thousands of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in retail health clinics across the country are already on the front lines working to improve patient lives and expand access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. To recognize the best of the best, DSN Collaborative Care/Retail Clinician magazine — in partnership with the Convenient Care Association — each year hosts the annual Clinician Awards for Retail Excellence (CARE).

October 4, 2012

Shirley Chater, Ph.D., is a visionary and courageous healthcare leader, whose nursing journey started when she was just a little girl hearing the inspirational words of her father assuring her that she could be anything she wanted to be as long as she helped people.

Shirley Chater, Ph.D., is a visionary and courageous healthcare leader, whose nursing journey started when she was just a little girl hearing the inspirational words of her father assuring her that she could be anything she wanted to be as long as she helped people.

She began working in a doctor’s office as a teenager, and over the years, her career led her to head up one of the most complex and challenging agencies in the federal government — the U.S. Social Security Administration.

October 4, 2012

Among the highlights of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ annual Pharmacy and Technology conference are the educational sessions, for which pharmacists earn continuing education credits while learning about the latest trends in pharmacy practice and care.

Among the highlights of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ annual Pharmacy and Technology conference are the educational sessions, for which pharmacists earn continuing education credits while learning about the latest trends in pharmacy practice and care.

October 4, 2012

Out of all U.S. industries, the drivers shuttling statins and beta-blockers from the distribution centers to the pharmacies are perhaps most in need of healthcare counseling.

Out of all U.S. industries, the drivers shuttling statins and beta-blockers from the distribution centers to the pharmacies are perhaps most in need of healthcare counseling.

October 4, 2012

“Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.” Sounds simple enough. But that obvious truism, voiced by former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop, fails to convince tens of millions of patients that they should take their prescription medicines through the full dosage regimen.

“Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.”

Sounds simple enough. But that obvious truism, voiced by former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop, fails to convince tens of millions of patients that they should take their prescription medicines through the full dosage regimen. And in too many cases, patients aren’t even filling the script to begin with.

October 4, 2012

Despite the patent cliff rendering entire therapeutic categories generic-only, numerous opportunities exist, according to a speech delivered in August at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ 2012 Pharmacy and Technology Conference in Denver by IMS Health VP industry relations Doug Long.

Despite the patent cliff rendering entire therapeutic categories generic-only, numerous opportunities exist, according to a speech delivered in August at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ 2012 Pharmacy and Technology Conference in Denver by IMS Health VP industry relations Doug Long.

September 25, 2012

A carrot, a stick and a face-to-face encounter. Those are the tools that will chisel away at healthcare costs, noted Wade Miquelon, Walgreens EVP and CFO. And Walgreens is uniquely positioned to help realize those savings. 


A carrot, a stick and a face-to-face encounter. Those are the tools that will chisel away at healthcare costs, noted Wade Miquelon, Walgreens EVP and CFO. And Walgreens is uniquely positioned to help realize those savings. 


To lower costs, you could raise co-pays or premiums to discourage unhealthy behaviors like smoking, poor diet or lack of exercise. That’s the stick. On the other hand, you could waive co-pays or a reduce premiums to help encourage healthy behaviors like regular checkups or disease-state management programs. That’s the carrot. 


September 25, 2012

In June, Walgreens announced a two-step investment in a strategic partnership with Alliance Boots, to acquire a 45% equity stake in the privately held company for $6.7 billion in cash and stock in the first step with the option to acquire the other 55% approximately three years down the road at what is today being projected to be another $9.5 billion price tag in cash and stock. 


In June, Walgreens announced a two-step investment in a strategic partnership with Alliance Boots, to acquire a 45% equity stake in the privately held company for $6.7 billion in cash and stock in the first step with the option to acquire the other 55% approximately three years down the road at what is today being projected to be another $9.5 billion price tag in cash and stock. 


September 25, 2012

You could say that many of the front-of-store experiences that Walgreens is helping to transform today — photo and memorabilia, beauty, fresh, OTC, even pharmacy — all evolved from Walgreens Customer Centric Retailing project, which began back in 2009. “There were several benefits that we gained from CCR that helped fuel this transformation,” noted Rachel Bishop, Walgreens VP daily living strategy and business development.


You could say that many of the front-of-store experiences that Walgreens is helping to transform today — photo and memorabilia, beauty, fresh, OTC, even pharmacy — all evolved from Walgreens Customer Centric Retailing project, which began back in 2009. “There were several benefits that we gained from CCR that helped fuel this transformation,” noted Rachel Bishop, Walgreens VP daily living strategy and business development.


September 25, 2012

"You’ve got to skate to where the puck is going, not to where it’s been.” 
That’s how Bryan Pugh, who is Walgreens’ VP and chief merchandising officer, described how the merchandising department functions at Walgreens.

"You’ve got to skate to where the puck is going, not to where it’s been.” 


That’s how Bryan Pugh, who is Walgreens’ VP and chief merchandising officer, described how the merchandising department functions at Walgreens. It’s a fast-moving game. It’s got to be fluid. And if you lose focus for even one second, you stand the chance of being railroaded into the boards and becoming less of a force in the game. 


September 25, 2012

When National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson earlier this year at NACDS Annual urged pharmacy leaders to be “disruptive innovators,” and new NACDS chairman and Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson called on the industry to embrace a holistic view of the total store in improving patient lives, they easily could have submitted Walgreens and its Take Care Health Systems subsidiary as an ideal case study.


When National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson earlier this year at NACDS Annual urged pharmacy leaders to be “disruptive innovators,” and new NACDS chairman and Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson called on the industry to embrace a holistic view of the total store in improving patient lives, they easily could have submitted Walgreens and its Take Care Health Systems subsidiary as an ideal case study.


September 25, 2012

Patients diagnosed with serious disease have enough on their minds. So Walgreens is doing all it can to make it easier for them to obtain, administer and pay for their specialty and infused medicines, said Mike Ellis, VP specialty pharmacy and infusion.


Patients diagnosed with serious disease have enough on their minds. So Walgreens is doing all it can to make it easier for them to obtain, administer and pay for their specialty and infused medicines, said Mike Ellis, VP specialty pharmacy and infusion.


“The concept is to go where patients are diagnosed and where they reside. We have a large sales force who call on physicians who prescribe these types of medications. But like everything else at Walgreens, it starts with the patient.”


September 25, 2012

Employee engagement and customer experience. These are not just buzzwords or empty promises for Walgreens. 


Employee engagement and customer experience. These are not just buzzwords or empty promises for Walgreens. 


For the human resources team within Walgreens, this means attracting, training and retaining the right talent, who not only will be actively engaged but who, in turn, will enhance the customer experience in stores, whether it be in pharmacy, beauty, fresh food or any other aspect of the business.


September 25, 2012

The way Walgreens is deploying technology through its stores may be futuristic, but it is no science fiction. It’s real innovation that is helping to drive its total transformation along so many areas of its business — and it’s being produced in real-time.

The way Walgreens is deploying technology through its stores may be futuristic, but it is no science fiction. It’s real innovation that is helping to drive its total transformation along so many areas of its business — and it’s being produced in real-time.

September 25, 2012

When Walgreens snapped up Manhattan-based retailer Duane Reade back in 2010, it was a significant move for the Deerfield, Ill.-based pharmacy giant as it gave Walgreens — essentially overnight — a leading presence in New York City.


When Walgreens snapped up Manhattan-based retailer Duane Reade back in 2010, it was a significant move for the Deerfield, Ill.-based pharmacy giant as it gave Walgreens — essentially overnight — a leading presence in New York City.


Under Walgreens’ organic growth model, it would have taken many years to achieve that type of footprint in New York City. But this was a new Walgreens. A transformative Walgreens.