Content about forward

BERN, Switzerland — Alliance Boots on Wednesday reported a double-digit profit gain for its year ended March 31. Underlying profit after tax was up 12.7% to $1.2 billion, though revenue was down slightly by 2.6% to $34.2 billion. 

Americans and their healthcare plans are spending less on medicines and health services. Is that a good thing?

Researchers for the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics posed that question with the release of a report on the U.S. pharmaceutical market this week. But pharmacy leaders, independent and chain pharmacists, the U.S. health system and healthcare advocates are going to be dealing with the implications of that trend going forward.

Success in the mass market can be an uphill battle for some niche brands as retailers trim selection, bolster private-label offerings and pass on smaller brands they perceive as higher risk. However, retailers also are increasingly looking to distinguish themselves from the competition, whether it is through exclusive offerings, customization or in-store services. This has given rise to the importance of business development organizations, master brokers, regional brokers, and sales and marketing consultants in helping niche brands navigate the path to retail.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens celebrated the official opening of its latest flagship store, located at Powell and O’Farrell streets in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. Like many of the flagships, the store, which opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday, is tailored to reflect the uniqueness of San Francisco at a location where Walgreens has been present since 1946.

Pharmacy's value as part of an outcomes-based healthcare alignment was the highlight of the closing business presentation at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2013 Annual Meeting. And now it's up to NACDS members to expose Congressional leaders to that value quotient on a regular basis. 

PALM BEACH, Fla. — “We are writing history, and you are historic figures.” That was a key message that Steve Anderson, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO, had for community pharmacy during Sunday morning’s business session at NACDS Annual Meeting as the association celebrates its 80th anniversary. Prior to Anderson taking the stage, Greg Wasson, out-going chairman of the NACDS board and president and CEO of Walgreens, made his state of the industry remarks.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration is granting an expedited application process to a company that has developed a treatment for a condition related to Parkinson's disease, meaning that it can cancel a planned late-stage clinical trial, the company said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and SAN DIEGO — Retail-based clinic operator MinuteClinic, a division of CVS Caremark, and Southern California healthcare system Sharp HealthCare have entered into a clinical affiliation to enhance access to healthcare services throughout San Diego County.

MinuteClinic currently has 10 walk-in medical clinics in San Diego County.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Friday named several executives to the company's leadership team one day following the closing of its divestiture of five retail banners to AB Acquisition. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced Tuesday as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler. Walgreens will begin sourcing generic medicines from AmerisourceBergen beginning in the calendar year 2014.  

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser company, has announced a new line of foaming hand soaps, the company said today.

Lysol's Touch of Foam hand soap is a foaming soap that helps protect hands against germs while moisturizer-enriched micro-bubbles leaves them feeling soft. Studies have shown that hand washing alone can prevent both gastrointestinal and respiratory infections by nearly 50%.