Content about Software

April 16, 2013
SymphonyIRI Group rebrands as IRi, commits to supporting CPG growth around the globe

No longer will the SymphonyIRI Group crunch data for the betterment of CPG companies everywhere, the company's president and CEO Andrew Appel told a packed conference room at the data aggregator's 2013 Summit. At least not as SymphonyIRI Group.

LAS VEGAS — No longer will the SymphonyIRI Group crunch data for the betterment of consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies everywhere, the company's president and CEO Andrew Appel told a packed conference room at the data aggregator's 2013 Summit here.

April 12, 2013
CVS/pharmacy provides easy access to mobile app via free smartphone offer

CVS/pharmacy on Friday announced that up to 1 million free smartphones will be offered to eligible customers, allowing easy access to its convenient mobile app.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy on Friday announced that up to 1 million free smartphones will be offered to eligible customers, allowing easy access to its convenient mobile app. Upon receipt of the phone, consumers will receive a text message prompt to download the CVS Mobile app to provide the convenience of CVS/pharmacy stores and pharmacy services at their fingertips so they can save time and money.

April 12, 2013
RxWiki launches beta version of mobile pharmacy app

The makers of a new smartphone app say it will synchronize engagement between pharmacists and patients through mobile devices, social media, websites and printed media.

AUSTIN, Texas — The makers of a new smartphone app say it will synchronize engagement between pharmacists and patients through mobile devices, social media, websites and printed media.

RxWiki announced Friday the beta release of Mobile+, a customizable mobile application that delivers medication information, news and alerts to patients' smartphones. The app is currently available for Android devices and will soon be available for Apple devices.

April 11, 2013
CVS Caremark releases annual insights report on drug spend

The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report, which reviews drug trend and highlights key issues in pharmacy care.

CVS Caremark's GDR is the result of two elements.  First, 2012 marked a high point in the flood of generic launches, with the estimated market value of brands that lost their patents in 2012 exceeding $35 billion. 

April 10, 2013
Duane Reade launches mobile app for iOS devices

Duane Reade announced the launch of its first mobile application for iOS devices.

NEW YORK — Duane Reade on Wednesday announced the launch of its first mobile application for iOS devices. The free app, available in the iTunes store, will facilitate and further enhance customer access to Duane Reade’s pharmacy services, photo printers, prescription refills, Balance Rewards offers, account information and in-store maps.  

April 9, 2013
S.C. health and human services director tours MinuteClinic location

A MinuteClinic location at a CVS store in downtown Columbia, S.C., got a visit from one of the state's top health officials recently.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A MinuteClinic location at a CVS store in downtown Columbia, S.C., got a visit from one of the state's top health officials recently.

April 3, 2013
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust awards $2.6M in funding to nonprofits

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark, has announced that $2.6 million in grants has been awarded to 66 nonprofit organizations across the country.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark, has announced that $2.6 million in grants has been awarded to 66 nonprofit organizations across the country.

The new grant recipients were chosen through the 2012 CVS Caremark Charitable Trust's annual grant cycle. The awarded grants align with CVS Caremark's purpose of helping people on their path to better health and focus on initiatives supporting access to health care and children's programming.

March 25, 2013
CVS/pharmacy's new iPad App features 3-D virtual store, digital pharmacy experience

CVS/pharmacy has launched a first-of-its-kind interactive app, delivering a virtual 3-D digital drug store experience for customers using Apple iPads.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has launched a first-of-its-kind interactive app, delivering a virtual 3-D digital drug store experience for customers using Apple iPads.

March 25, 2013
Kentucky enacts MAC reform

Kentucky became the first state to enact legislation that provides pharmacists with transparency into how health plans determine pharmacy reimbursements for generic drugs, and establishes an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky on Friday became the first state to enact legislation that provides pharmacists with transparency into how health plans determine pharmacy reimbursements for generic drugs, and establishes an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels. 

Specifically, the new law creates a set of standards with relation to categorizations and formularies for how pharmacy benefit managers craft their MAC lists, requires more frequent updates and streamlines the process for pharmacy reimbursement appeals.

March 18, 2013
Dark and Lovely celebrates new Au Naturale line with NYC bash

SoftSheen-Carson’s ethnic hair care brand Dark and Lovely recently celebrated the launch of its newest line, Au Naturale, with Grammy Award nominated singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius, author and curl advocate Nikki Walton and VH1's DJ Amanda Seales at Arena in New York City.

NEW YORK — SoftSheen-Carson’s ethnic hair care brand Dark and Lovely recently celebrated the launch of its newest line, Au Naturale, with Grammy Award nominated singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius, author and curl advocate Nikki Walton and VH1's DJ Amanda Seales at Arena in New York City.

March 12, 2013
CVS Caremark to highlight importance of Rx adherence at 2013 Annual American Society on Aging Conference

CVS Caremark has announced that it will highlight how medication adherence plays a vital role in helping older Americans on their path to better health at the 2013 Annual American Society on Aging Conference, which is being held in Chicago this week.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced that it will highlight how medication adherence plays a vital role in helping older Americans on their path to better health at the 2013 Annual American Society on Aging Conference, which is being held in Chicago this week.

March 8, 2013
Dove gives women chance to control Facebook ad space, promote positive beauty messages

Dove is celebrating International Women's Day by giving women the power to control Facebook ads so they can fight back against the ones that prey on their insecurities and promote the positive ones.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Dove is celebrating International Women's Day by giving women the power to control Facebook ads so they can fight back against the ones that prey on their insecurities and promote the positive ones.

March 6, 2013
CVS care-management services subsidiary wins URAC accreditation

Washington-based healthcare accrediting organization URAC has given a subsidiary of CVS Caremark case management accreditation, valid through March 1, 2016, CVS said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Washington-based healthcare accrediting organization URAC has given a subsidiary of CVS Caremark case management accreditation, valid through March 1, 2016, CVS said Wednesday.

CVS said Accordant Health Services met URAC's standards, which require companies to establish processes to assess, plan and implement case management interventions.

March 4, 2013
Reports: Doctors to serve as medical directors for two N.Y. MinuteClinic locations

A hospital system on Long Island in New York state has a partnership with CVS' MinuteClinic, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A hospital system on Long Island in New York state has a partnership with CVS' MinuteClinic, according to published reports.

March 1, 2013
Red Cup Living introduces four new reusable, dishwasher-safe cups

Red cups aren't just made for beer pong anymore. Red Cup Living has taken them to a whole new level with reusable designs made specifically for wine, margaritas, cocktails and coffee.

PHOENIX — Red cups aren't just made for beer pong anymore. Red Cup Living has taken them to a whole new level with reusable designs made specifically for wine, margaritas, cocktails and coffee.

February 26, 2013
Reports: Legislation would allow Tenn. supermarkets to sell wine

A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

The Memphis, Tenn., Commercial Appeal reported that the proposed law would be subject to approval in local referendums.

Supporters of the bill cited convenience, while opponents — including liquor store owners — said it would be detrimental to public health, safety and the economy, criticizing the legislation as driven by "big national chains" and harmful to locally owned businesses.

February 21, 2013
CVS/pharmacy revamps private-label products

CVS/pharmacy is making some changes to its Gold Emblem food product line, including enhanced ingredients and new flavors, the retail pharmacy chain said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is making some changes to its Gold Emblem food product line, including enhanced ingredients and new flavors, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The line has been revamped with more options and a new look. Gold Emblem includes more than 250 products, such as nuts, trail mixes, chips, pretzels, dried candies, cookies, spices, juices, condiments, baking products and breakfast bars. CVS introduced it in 1995, making it one of the first private-label food lines created by a major drug store chain.

February 21, 2013
Walgreens to open 'WAG U,' a top-of-the-line learning center for Walgreens employees

Walgreens on Friday will open the doors to "Wag U," an internal education center replete with technology-enhanced classrooms, a mock drug store and video-conferencing capabilities.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday will open the doors to "Wag U," an internal education center replete with technology-enhanced classrooms, a mock drug store and video-conferencing capabilities. The new learning center will be the base of operations for employee educational programs offered online and in regional locations nationwide. 

February 20, 2013
Kashi adds new steam meal dinners for two

Kashi, a natural food and lifestyle company, announced today its new Kashi Chicken and Chipotle BBQ Steam Meal and Italian Vegetable Medley Pasta Steam Meal, two additions to Kashi's Steam Meal line.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi, a natural food and lifestyle company, announced today its new Kashi Chicken and Chipotle BBQ Steam Meal and Italian Vegetable Medley Pasta Steam Meal, two additions to Kashi's Steam Meal line. The new entrees provide a meal for two people in each bag.

Like Kashi's existing single-serve varieties, microwave steam is used to preserve the quality of the ingredients. Each features the Kashi Seven Whole Grain blend and offers 42 g or more of whole grains per serving:

February 19, 2013
Special Olympians from So. Fla. participate in CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp

More than 20 athletes from Special Olympics Florida experienced what it’s like to be a major league ball player when they took part in a recent CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp during Red Sox Spring Training.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — More than 20 athletes from Special Olympics Florida experienced what it’s like to be a major league ball player when they took part in a recent CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp during Red Sox Spring Training.

February 14, 2013
Actavis can launch generic painkiller in May 2014 under settlement

Actavis and Mallinckrodt have reached a settlement concerning the former's generic version of an opioid painkiller made by the latter, Actavis said Thursday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Actavis and Mallinckrodt have reached a settlement concerning the former's generic version of an opioid painkiller made by the latter, Actavis said Thursday.

The companies settled patent lawsuit regarding Actavis' generic version of Mallinckrodt's Exalgo (hydromorphone hydrochloride) extended-release tablets in the 32-mg strength. The companies settled litigation regarding the 8-mg, 12-mg and 16-mg strengths last month.

February 8, 2013
It's official: CVS Caremark has acquired Brazil's Onofre. What's next?

During its fourth-quarter conference call on Wednesday, CVS Caremark officially unveiled its foray into the international drug store space with the acquisition of Brazilian retailer Onofre, the eighth-largest drug chain in Brazil.

Now that the other shoe has dropped, what's next?

While chains are prevalent, Brazil remains a highly fragmented market that is clearly ripe with opportunities thanks, in part, to an aging population, a decline in unemployment and a rise in incomes.

During its fourth quarter conference call on Wednesday, CVS Caremark officially unveiled its foray into the international drug store space with the acquisition of Brazilian retailer Onofre, the eighth-largest drug chain in Brazil.

Now that the other shoe has dropped, what's next?

While chains are prevalent, Brazil remains a highly fragmented market that is clearly ripe with opportunities thanks, in part, to an aging population, a decline in unemployment and a rise in incomes.

February 5, 2013
CVS stocks up on Valentine's Day items

CVS/pharmacy is touting its stores as a "one-stop shop" for Valentine's Day shopping.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is touting its stores as a "one-stop shop" for Valentine's Day shopping.

The retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday that stores had stocked up on items like cards and candy, including chocolates from companies like Hershey's, Lindt, Dove, Ferrero Rocher, Ghirardelli, Godiva and others.

February 5, 2013
Duane Reade isn't playing around with participation in virtual gaming experience

Duane Reade announced the Niantic Labs new mobile game Ingress would be integrated across the chain's more than 250 locations in an effort to increase 'share of voice' and customer engagement.

NEW YORK — Duane Reade on Tuesday announced the Niantic Labs new mobile game Ingress would be integrated across the chain's more than 250 locations in an effort to increase 'share of voice' and customer engagement. Duane Reade, part of the Walgreens family of companies, is one of the first retail partners in the New York Metropolitan area for "Ingress", which blends the physical and virtual world to create a one-of-a-kind gaming experience, Duane Reade stated. 

February 4, 2013
CVS expands ExtraCare loyalty card program to reward customers for filling prescriptions

CVS Caremark has launched what it called the "latest evolution" of its ExtraCare loyalty card program.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has launched what it called the "latest evolution" of its ExtraCare loyalty card program.

The chain announced Monday the launch of the ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards program, which allows members to earn larger and more frequent rewards when filling prescriptions or making healthy decisions, as well as providing another choice for members and giving them the ability to opt-in to parts of the program most relevant to their needs and preferences.