Content about The pharmacy

May 8, 2013
New York pharmacist gives away free kids' vitamins

A pharmacist in Queens has received accolades for giving out vitamins to children whose families can't afford them.

NEW YORK — A pharmacist in Queens has received accolades for giving out vitamins to children whose families can't afford them.

New York television station NY1 earlier this year named Nina Shamayeva, owner of Austin Pharmacy in the Forest Hills neighborhood, as its "Queens Person of the Week" for her free vitamin program, whereby children younger than 12 years old can receive a free bottle of chewable vitamins each month for a year. "A lot of people cannot afford to buy vitamins for their kinds," Shamayeva said.

March 21, 2013
Walgreens debuts flagship location in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown

On Thursday morning, Walgreens opened the doors to its latest flagship location in the nation's capital, bringing to District of Columbia residents and commuters the kind of retail pharmacy theater already familiar with citizens of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON — On Thursday morning, Walgreens opened the doors to its latest flagship location in the nation's capital, bringing to District of Columbia residents and commuters the kind of retail pharmacy theater already familiar with citizens of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

January 28, 2013
Pharmacy trends and outlook for 2013

Health care is evolving. As obvious of a statement as that is, it doesn’t change the fact that it is very real. Throughout last year, there was intense discussion on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and what impact the outcome of the presidential election might have on its future. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled and elections are settled, healthcare companies and providers across the country are implementing strategies to meet ACA requirements.

Health care is evolving. As obvious of a statement as that is, it doesn’t change the fact that it is very real. Throughout last year, there was intense discussion on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and what impact the outcome of the presidential election might have on its future. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled and elections are settled, healthcare companies and providers across the country are implementing strategies to meet ACA requirements.

December 11, 2012
Electronic prescribing comes full circle with automated refill authorizations

E-prescribing offers many well-known benefits to physicians, pharmacists and patients alike. Beyond the well-known patient benefits, real-time transactions with automated requests and responses promise to create efficiencies by speeding the medication ordering process, reducing or eliminating the back-and-forth communications between pharmacists and clinicians commonly associated with handwritten prescriptions.

E-prescribing offers many well-known benefits to physicians, pharmacists and patients alike. Beyond the well-known patient benefits, real-time transactions with automated requests and responses promise to create efficiencies by speeding the medication ordering process, reducing or eliminating the back-and-forth communications between pharmacists and clinicians commonly associated with handwritten prescriptions.

November 29, 2012
Executing the big picture one detail at a time

An often-heard remark in arguments between people is, “You’re not looking at the big picture.” But it’s often just as important to look not just at the big picture, but all the little parts that constitute it, especially if you’re the head of store operations for a major retail chain.


An often-heard remark in arguments between people is, “You’re not looking at the big picture.” But it’s often just as important to look not just at the big picture, but all the little parts that constitute it, especially if you’re the head of store operations for a major retail chain.


October 9, 2012
CVS Caremark turns to innovation 
to capture a growing healthcare market

With healthcare reform on track to bring 32 million more Americans into the healthcare system in 2014, and with payers and patients looking for solutions to curb costs as the nation battles a shortage of primary care physicians and access to quality care, CVS Caremark’s role in reinventing pharmacy through its distinctive business model couldn’t be more imperative than it is today.


With healthcare reform on track to bring 32 million more Americans into the healthcare system in 2014, and with payers and patients looking for solutions to curb costs as the nation battles a shortage of primary care physicians and access to quality care, CVS Caremark’s role in reinventing pharmacy through its distinctive business model couldn’t be more imperative than it is today.


October 9, 2012
Future is healthy for PBM business

Remember back in 2009, when some on Wall Street swore the sky was falling as Caremark came off a tricky selling season? Oh, how times have changed.


Remember back in 2009, when some on Wall Street swore the sky was falling as Caremark came off a tricky selling season? Oh, how times have changed.


“Everything we’ve seen this year demonstrates that CVS is a stable company that is well-positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in the industry,” stated Barclays Capital analyst Meredith Adler in a recent research note.


October 2, 2012
Walgreens, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation partner on specialty pharmacy services

Walgreens will get a "significant" ownership stake in a specialty pharmacy that treats people with cystic fibrosis under a new deal with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the two announced Tuesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will get a "significant" ownership stake in a specialty pharmacy that treats people with cystic fibrosis under a new deal with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the two announced Tuesday.

September 25, 2012
The pharmacy customer as frequent flyer

The predictability of the chain store shopping experience has long been both a strength and weakness. The quality and experience may be predictably good, but can a shopper have a warm relationship with a store that treats everyone the same? 


The predictability of the chain store shopping experience has long been both a strength and weakness. The quality and experience may be predictably good, but can a shopper have a warm relationship with a store that treats everyone the same? 


Walgreens gets that. So it is transforming its relationship with its customers by getting to know their needs more closely. 


September 11, 2012
CVS Caremark discusses WAG-Express Scripts impasse, narrower networks during Morgan Stanley event

During Tuesday morning’s Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference in New York City, CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo expressed optimism for a strong second half of the year and confidence in retaining a large portion of the prescription volumes gained from the Walgreens-Express Scripts impasse.

NEW YORK — During Tuesday morning’s Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference in New York City, CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo expressed optimism for a strong second half of the year and confidence in retaining a large portion of the prescription volumes gained from the Walgreens-Express Scripts impasse.

September 10, 2012
Raising the professional practice bar, one federal health campaign at a time

Pharmacists got another opportunity this month to show their skills and help ease the healthcare system's growing financial crisis and resource shortage. Will it move the needle on true health reform and the expanding pharmacy practice model?

Pharmacists got another opportunity this month to show their skills and help ease the healthcare system's growing financial crisis and resource shortage. Will it move the needle on true health reform and the expanding pharmacy practice model?

August 14, 2012
Quick, easy and (mostly) painless: Simplified immunizations at the pharmacy

You’ve seen the sign, probably early fall, posted right there on the marquee of the local pharmacy: “Most insurance accepted.” It means that when a patient stops by the pharmacy for a flu shot, the pharmacy can probably bill the health plan for the covered medical benefit. Quick, easy and (mostly) painless. This trend in retail medical claiming, or covering and billing for medical benefits at the pharmacy, is quickly spreading to other products and services, and is largely expanding the scope of convenient, clinical care options for both the patient and the pharmacy.

You’ve seen the sign, probably early fall, posted right there on the marquee of the local pharmacy: “Most insurance accepted.” It means that when a patient stops by the pharmacy for a flu shot, the pharmacy can probably bill the health plan for the covered medical benefit. Quick, easy and (mostly) painless. This trend in retail medical claiming, or covering and billing for medical benefits at the pharmacy, is quickly spreading to other products and services, and is largely expanding the scope of convenient, clinical care options for both the patient and the pharmacy.

May 14, 2012
Schnucks opens specialty pharmacy at Illinois hospital

Schnuck Markets is opening a stand-alone pharmacy at a hospital in Illinois with an emphasis on specialty pharmacy services, the supermarket operator said.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Schnuck Markets is opening a stand-alone pharmacy at a hospital in Illinois with an emphasis on specialty pharmacy services, the supermarket operator said.

Schnucks said the 2,000-sq.-ft. pharmacy at the pavilion of St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Ill., would be its first stand-alone specialty pharmacy in Illinois, specializing in such conditions as HIV, hepatitis, autoimmune disorders, organ transplants and cancers. The pharmacy replaces the specialty pharmacy at a nearby store, though the store's traditional pharmacy will remain.

April 20, 2012
Walgreens promotes Earth Day

Walgreens is helping to promote Earth Day 2012 with the offer of a 20% discount on select beauty, personal care items and other grocery and household needs on Walgreens.com.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is helping to promote Earth Day 2012 with the offer of a 20% discount on select beauty, personal care items and other grocery and household needs on Walgreens.com with the code 20NATURAL now through Sunday.

April 11, 2012
Report: Federal judge hears arguments in ESI-Medco merger case

A federal judge in Pittsburgh will rule "later" on whether to block or allow a merger between pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and Express Scripts, and is considering a request by two trade groups seeking to keep Medco's operations and assets separate from ESI while the lawsuit is pending, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A federal judge in Pittsburgh will rule "later" on whether to block or allow a merger between pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and Express Scripts, and is considering a request by two trade groups seeking to keep Medco's operations and assets separate from ESI while the lawsuit is pending, according to published reports.

April 9, 2012
Wall Street Journal endorses ESI-Medco merger; retail pharmacy responds

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday wrote the Wall Street Journal regarding the paper's endorsement last week of the Express Scripts-Medco merger approval.

NEW YORK — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday wrote the Wall Street Journal regarding the paper's endorsement last week of the Express Scripts-Medco merger approval.

April 6, 2012
Pharmacy industry sizzles following FTC approval of Express Scripts-Medco merger

You can't uncrack an egg. That's the preliminary reply Express Scripts gave to the district court hearing the case filed by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacist Association to block the merger between Express Scripts and Medco.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — You can't uncrack an egg. That's the preliminary reply Express Scripts gave to the district court hearing the case filed by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacist Association to block the merger between Express Scripts and Medco. The pharmacy industry's concern, however, revolves around what kind of beast will hatch from this ESI-Medco merger if that cracked egg isn't unscrambled.

March 26, 2012
Dougherty’s raises bar with unique offering

Eighty-two-year-old independent Dougherty’s Pharmacy is operating a pharmacy inside the Forest Park Medical Center, which it opened in August.

DALLAS — Eighty-two-year-old independent Dougherty’s Pharmacy is operating a pharmacy inside the Forest Park Medical Center, which it opened in August. The pharmacy’s decor includes Italian tile wall treatments, a wavy wall behind the cash wrap and works by local Dallas artists.

February 28, 2012
A campaign custom-made for pharmacy

About $290 billion a year. That’s what Americans’ rampant nonadherence to their prescription medication therapy is costing the country each year in medical bills and lost work, according to national estimates. So getting patients to stick with their drug regimens is a huge challenge, not only for pharmacists in all practice settings, but for the entire healthcare provider network and the U.S. economy.

About $290 billion a year. That’s what Americans’ rampant nonadherence to their prescription medication therapy is costing the country each year in medical bills and lost work, according to national estimates. So getting patients to stick with their drug regimens is a huge challenge, not only for pharmacists in all practice settings, but for the entire healthcare provider network and the U.S. economy.

December 16, 2011
Walgreens will keep pharmacy open through the holidays

Walgreens on Friday announced that its stores will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday announced that its stores will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Through Dec. 23, most Walgreens locations will be open until midnight, the company stated. On Christmas Eve, nearly all stores will be open regular hours — pharmacies will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. — and on Christmas Day, non-24 hour stores will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. while all 24-hour stores and pharmacies will continue to remain open around the clock.

November 8, 2011
U of Arizona Cancer Center partners with Walgreens on specialty pharmacy

The University of Arizona Cancer Center, in partnership with Walgreens, last month opened a specialty outpatient pharmacy on-site to meet the needs of its patients.

PHOENIX — The University of Arizona Cancer Center, in partnership with Walgreens, last month opened a specialty outpatient pharmacy on-site to meet the needs of its patients.

October 27, 2011
Rx Jr.: 'Pharmacy is Right for Me' spurs youth to pursue pharmacy careers

With the aging population and the rise in the numbers of people with chronic disease states, the country has a huge need for more pharmacists, so what better place is there to look for them than the nation's middle and high schools?

WASHINGTON — With the aging population and the rise in the numbers of people with chronic disease states, the country has a huge need for more pharmacists, so what better place is there to look for them than the nation's middle and high schools?

The American Pharmacists Association and OptumRx announced Thursday the launch of Pharmacy is Right for Me, an educational initiative designed to encourage students in grades 8 through 12 to pursue careers in pharmacy.

August 5, 2011
Pharmacy groups to U.S. Supreme Court: Pharmacies have right to challenge Medicaid cuts

Looking to challenge reimbursement rate reductions for Medicaid beneficiaries, pharmacy groups have filed a joint legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Looking to challenge reimbursement rate reductions for Medicaid beneficiaries, pharmacy groups have filed a joint legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.

The brief was filed by the American Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations in the case of Douglas v. Independent Living Center of California.

May 18, 2011
Kerr Drug to implement Sharps Compliance's TakeAway Environmental Return System

Kerr Drug said that it will offer customers a solution to properly dispose of their unused or expired medications.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug said that it will offer customers a solution to properly dispose of their unused or expired medications.

The pharmacy chain said that Sharps Compliance's TakeAway Environmental Return System envelopes will be available in all stores May 23. The envelopes sell for $3.99.

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.