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August 6, 2012
Walgreens, Duane Reade and Take Care Clinics offering flu shots on walk-in basis

Walgreens is looking to make getting a flu shot as easy as walking into any Walgreens, Duane Reade and Take Care Clinic by offering flu shots without an appointment.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is looking to make getting a flu shot as easy as walking into any Walgreens, Duane Reade and Take Care Clinic by offering flu shots without an appointment.

August 3, 2012
CDC: Additional cases of flu strain infection reported

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported 12 additional human infections with influenza A (H3N2) variant virus in three states, comprising of one case in Hawaii, 10 cases in Ohio and one case in Indiana.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported 12 additional human infections with influenza A (H3N2) variant virus in three states, comprising of one case in Hawaii, 10 cases in Ohio and one case in Indiana. The H3N2v virus contains the M gene from the 2009 H1N1 virus, as have the previous 17 cases detected since July 2011.

August 3, 2012
Generic drug introductions impact Walgreens' July sales

Walgreens on Friday reported July sales of $5.6 billion, a decrease of 3.7% as compared with the same month in fiscal 2011.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday reported July sales of $5.6 billion, a decrease of 3.7% as compared with the same month in fiscal 2011. Compared with prior months during this calendar year, July sales comparisons were more significantly impacted by an increase in generic drug introductions, Walgreens reported.

July pharmacy sales decreased 5%, while comparable-store pharmacy sales decreased 9.7%. Calendar day shifts positively impacted pharmacy sales in comparable stores by 2.2 percentage points.

August 3, 2012
Harris Teeter announces store growth plans

Harris Teeter plans to expand its presence in existing markets, the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter plans to expand its presence in existing markets, the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.

August 3, 2012
SoloHealth, WellPoint announce strategic relationship

SoloHealth on Friday announced a new relationship with WellPoint to help provide consumers with convenient access to information about their health and wellness through the next-generation SoloHealth Station consumer kiosks.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth on Friday announced a new relationship with WellPoint to help provide consumers with convenient access to information about their health and wellness through the next-generation SoloHealth Station consumer kiosks.

The news comes on the heels of SoloHealth's recent FDA approval in June, as well as its announcement of an aggressive rollout to retail locations nationwide to begin this fall.

August 2, 2012
Rite Aid comps grow 0.5% in July

Rite Aid reported a 0.5% increase in same-store sales for July, including a 1.2% increase in front-end comps and a 0.2% increase in pharmacy comps. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 4.5%.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid reported a 0.5% increase in same-store sales for July, including a 1.2% increase in front-end comps and a 0.2% increase in pharmacy comps. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 4.5%.

Total drug store sales for the month decreased 0.1% to nearly $1.9 billion, compared with July 2011.

August 2, 2012
Walgreens-Alliance Boots deal sealed; senior leaders join respective boards

Walgreens and Alliance Boots on Thursday announced the completion of Walgreens' initial investment in the strategic partnership following receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Alliance Boots on Thursday announced the completion of Walgreens' initial investment in the strategic partnership following receipt of all required regulatory approvals. 

The Walgreens investment consists of approximately $4 billion in cash and 83.4 million shares of Walgreens common stock in exchange for a 45% equity stake in Alliance Boots. Walgreens has the option to proceed to a full combination in approximately three years’ time by acquiring the remaining 55% of Alliance Boots.

August 1, 2012
Mass. lawmakers pass healthcare bill that expands use of limited-service clinics

Massachusetts lawmakers passed a massive healthcare bill that seeks to control healthcare costs and expands the services of limited-service clinics to allow for anything within the scope of practice for a nurse practitioner.

BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers passed a massive healthcare bill that seeks to control healthcare costs and expands the services of limited-service clinics to allow for anything within the scope of practice for a nurse practitioner.

The legislation, which Gov. Deval Patrick said he would sign into law, includes an array of other cost-curbing provisions and is estimated to save as much as $200 billion in healthcare spending over the next 15 years.

August 1, 2012
Take Care Clinics launches mobile appointment-setting app with iTriage

Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, has launched a pilot program offering patients mobile and online appointment-scheduling services through consumer healthcare application iTriage.

DENVER, Colo. —Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, has launched a pilot program offering patients mobile and online appointment-scheduling services through consumer healthcare application iTriage.

The scheduling functionality now is available in both the Chicago and Denver markets.

July 31, 2012
Deloitte: Restrictive BTS spending no more

Days of cutting back-to-school spending are over, as nearly 9-in-10 consumers plan to spend the same or more, according to Deloitte's annual back-to-school survey.

NEW YORK — Days of cutting back-to-school spending are over, as nearly 9-in-10 consumers plan to spend the same or more, according to Deloitte's annual back-to-school survey.

July 31, 2012
MinuteClinic, American Heart Association collaborate for hypertension management

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has teamed up with the American Heart Association in a nationwide effort to improve the identification, treatment and management of high blood pressure.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has teamed up with the American Heart Association in a nationwide effort to improve the identification, treatment and management of high blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, 1-out-of-3 American adults has high blood pressure or hypertension. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.

July 31, 2012
RxAlly names chief information officer

RxAlly continues to expand its leadership team with the appointment of a new chief information officer.

LEESBURG, Va. — RxAlly continues to expand its leadership team with the appointment of a new chief information officer.

The alliance said Michaek Groh, a trained pharmacist, will assume leadership over the company's technology and data initiatives and will leverage his vast experience and specialty in pharmacy technology to oversee the technological underpinning that will link the RxAlly performance network. Most recently, Groh served as CIO for ExcelleRx, a Philadelphia-based national hospice pharmacy and medication therapy management company.

July 30, 2012
CVS/pharmacy, MinuteClinic launch flu shot voucher program

CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering a flu shot voucher program in August as part of CVS/pharmacy's Project Health free screening events.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering a flu shot voucher program in August as part of CVS/pharmacy's Project Health free screening events.

Qualifying patients who attend a "Flu Voucher Fridays" Project Health event, complete the screenings and identify themselves as not having health insurance will receive a voucher redeemable for a flu shot at any CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic location this flu season. The flu shot vouchers are being offered as part of National Immunization Awareness Month.

July 30, 2012
Rite Aid pharmacists provide vaccinations, advice for BTS season

Rite Aid is touting its vaccinating pharmacists as the back-to-school season begins.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is touting its vaccinating pharmacists as the back-to-school season begins.

The retail pharmacy chain said its pharmacists were ready to provide vaccinations against pertussis, meningitis, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and other diseases, in addition to providing advice on oral health, nutritional supplements, cough-cold supplies and first-aid kits.

July 27, 2012
McKesson highlights Health Mart annual meeting during first-quarter conference call

With the Supreme Court maintaining a status quo of sorts with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act last month, retail pharmacy operators are going to need to continually drive efficiencies into their businesses, McKesson chairman and CEO John Hammergren noted during the wholesaler's first-quarter conference call.

SAN FRANCISCO — With the Supreme Court maintaining a status quo of sorts with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act last month, retail pharmacy operators are going to need to continually drive efficiencies into their businesses, McKesson chairman and CEO John Hammergren noted during the wholesaler's first-quarter conference call.

July 27, 2012
MinuteClinic readies for BTS season, fall sports practice

MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is gearing up for the back-to-school season by reminding parents that it is a one-stop location where students can get their required vaccinations and sports and college physicals as four states issue new immunization mandates.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is gearing up for the back-to-school season by reminding parents that it is a one-stop location where students can get their required vaccinations and sports and college physicals as four states issue new immunization mandates.

July 27, 2012
Survey: More consumers budgeting for back-to-school shopping

A survey released by Chase Slate with Blueprint revealed that more back-to-school shoppers are carefully managing their spending and borrowing by creating a budget and sticking to it.

WILMINGTON, Del. — A survey released by Chase Slate with Blueprint revealed that more back-to-school shoppers are carefully managing their spending and borrowing by creating a budget and sticking to it.

Thirty-eight percent reported that they have a set budget for school-related expenses; in 2011, only 26% of people had created a budget for their back-to-school shopping. In addition, 32% said they anticipate their spending on back-to-school shopping this year to reflect prerecession figures.

July 26, 2012
CVS Caremark once again participates in National Urban League's 2012 annual conference

CVS Caremark announced it will exhibit at the National Urban League's 2012 annual conference in New Orleans this week.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced it will exhibit at the National Urban League's 2012 annual conference in New Orleans this week.

July 26, 2012
GNC to establish branded presence on Sam's Club shelves

GNC recently extended its relationship with Sam's Club, the company announced in conjunction with its second-quarter results.

PITTSBURGH — GNC recently extended its relationship with Sam's Club, the company announced in conjunction with its second-quarter results.

Beginning in third quarter 2012, GNC's presence in all Sam's Club locations will incorporate established shelf space with branded signage, adding to the existing rotational assortment program.

July 26, 2012
RxAlly appoints Wayne Oliver as VP pharmacy advocacy and government relations

An alliance of more than 22,000 pharmacies has added a new member to its leadership team.

LEESBURG, Va. — An alliance of more than 22,000 pharmacies has added a new member to its leadership team.

RxAlly announced the appointment of Wayne Oliver as VP pharmacy advocacy and government relations, a role in which he will serve as a liaison between RxAlly and various levels of government.

July 25, 2012
Kids In Need Foundation, Walgreens partner on school supply drive

Kids In Need Foundation has teamed up with Walgreens on the Walgreens Back to School Drive, the companies announced Wednesday.

DAYTON, Ohio — Kids In Need Foundation has teamed up with Walgreens on the Walgreens Back to School Drive, the companies announced Wednesday. From July 29 through Aug. 18, customers can donate new school supplies and classroom needs at any in-store collection bin.

July 25, 2012
MinuteClinic forms clinical collaboration with UCLA Health System

MinuteClinic has entered into a clinical affiliation with the UCLA Health System to enhance patient access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services in Los Angeles County.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., and LOS ANGELES — MinuteClinic has entered into a clinical affiliation with the UCLA Health System to enhance patient access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services in Los Angeles County.

July 25, 2012
Supervalu makes shopping app Yowza!! available to its independent grocers

Supervalu is making the mobile couponing application Yowza!! available to more than 1,900 independent stores that the company supplies as a wholesaler.

LOS ANGELES — Supervalu is making the mobile couponing application Yowza!! available to more than 1,900 independent stores that the company supplies as a wholesaler.

"We are always looking for the next best way for the independent retailers we supply to offer more value to their shoppers," said Teresa Chipps, Supervalu VP marketing and education, independent business. "With Yowza!!'s ability to bring fast-paced savings to customers, we are confident we have found just that."

July 24, 2012
Kroger's Little Clinic boosts presence in Dayton, Ohio, market

The Little Clinic is continuing to expand its presence across Kroger stores with the addition of in-store clinics located in the Dayton, Ohio, area.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Little Clinic is continuing to expand its presence across Kroger stores with the addition of in-store clinics located in the Dayton, Ohio, area.

The company already has opened two clinics, located in Englewood and Kettering. A third is slated to open inside a Kroger store in Beavercreek this September. In addition to these clinics, a new location opened earlier this month in Fort Mitchell, Ky., which is considered to be part of Kroger's Cincinnati market.

July 24, 2012
Supervalu makes Tdap vaccines available across chain to fight whooping cough spread

Supervalu pharmacies are offering the pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster at the majority of its nearly 800 pharmacies, the company announced Tuesday.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu pharmacies are offering the pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster at the majority of its nearly 800 pharmacies, the company announced Tuesday.

“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of cases of whooping cough throughout the country,” stated Chris Dimos, president of Supervalu Pharmacies. “It is strongly recommended from many state health department agencies that all teenagers and adults who have not had the Tdap vaccine get immunized to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease.”