Walgreens taps Starbucks exec Brewer as its new CEO
Roz Brewer will be the only Black woman leading a Fortune 500 company when she joins Walgreen’s on March 15.
Pharmacies
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Justice Department sues Walmart, says it helped fuel opioid crisis
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the Justice Department, says the nation’s largest retailer did not properly screen prescriptions at its 5,000 pharmacies. The agency is seeking civil penalties that could total billions of dollars.
Amazon opens online pharmacy, shaking up another industry
The potential impact of Amazon’s arrival in the pharmaceutical space rippled through that sector immediately. The stocks of CVS Health Corp., Walgreens and Rite Aid all tumbled Tuesday.
Feds announce COVID-19 vaccine agreement with drug stores
Thursday’s agreement with major chain drug stores, grocery market pharmacies and other chains and networks covers about 3 in 5 pharmacies in all 50 states and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.
Walmart sues U.S. in pre-emptive strike in opioid abuse battle
Walmart filed a lawsuit on Thursday saying that the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration are blaming the company for the government’s own lack of regulatory and enforcement policies.
Feds unveil plan to get coronavirus shots to nursing homes
Under the voluntary program, trained staff from CVS and Walgreens would deliver the vaccines to each nursing home and administer shots.
Eli Lilly, hospitals go to war over drug prices
A long-simmering dispute between Eli Lilly and Co. and safety-net hospitals across the nation over the price of prescription drugs has reached the boiling point.
Pharmacists allowed to give childhood vaccinations under new directive
In 2018, only about 7% of childhood flu shots were administered at pharmacies, according to CDC data. And it’s even rarer for other childhood shots to be given at drug stores.
Frustrated health consumers turn to apps, websites to find lowest drug prices
In recent years, a host of online websites and smartphone apps—such as GoodRx, Blink Health and Script Saver—have popped up to help people find the lowest price for prescription medicines. By using them, consumers can save thousands of dollars a year on their prescriptions if they don’t mind shopping around and buying some of their drugs outside their insurance plans.
KKR makes formal approach to Walgreens on possible record buyout
Walgreens Boots, which has more than 50 stores in central Indiana, has a market value of about $53 billion and $16.8 billion of debt. At that size, a take-private deal by the company would top the largest leveraged buyout in history.
Student: CVS workers rejected Puerto Rico ID, asked for visa
CVS apologized and said it was investigating after a Purdue University engineering student was denied the purchase of over-the-counter cold medicine.
Indiana gives pharmacists more power to help smokers quit
Indiana has one of the highest smoking rates in the country—nearly one in five Hoosiers smoke. Now, a new statewide policy makes it easier for smokers to get medication to help them quit. But some people want state leaders to do more.
Health chief says Trump working on prescription import plan
The Trump administration is working on a plan that would allow Americans to import lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday.
Walmart closing Neighborhood Market on far-east side
The store, which opened in 2004, is scheduled to close permanently July 12. It is one of eight Neighborhood Market stores the retailer operates in the Indianapolis area.
Walgreens to hike minimum age for store tobacco sales
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. said Tuesday that it will require customers to be at least 21 years old to purchase tobacco in any of its more than 9,500 stores nationwide. The policy starts Sept. 1.
CVS-Aetna deal given go-ahead by U.S. antitrust regulators
The Justice Department’s approval clears the way for a merger that will create a health care giant with a hand in insurance, prescription-drug benefits and drugstores across the United States.
Amazon makes $1B splash in health care by buying PillPack
The move represents a formidable challenge to pharmacy chains including Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and CVS Health Corp., the two largest drugstore chains in the United States.
Indiana Senate approves carryout Sunday alcohol sales bill
The bill now moves to the House, which is expected to vote soon on its own Sunday sales proposal with similar terms.
All eyes on Anthem after CVS megadeal
Pressure is building on the insurer to drop its conservative, bread-and-butter approach after one of its biggest rivals, Aetna Inc., agreed to be bought by drugstore chain CVS Health for $69 billion.
UPDATE: CVS buying Aetna for $67B, shaking up health care industry
The deal comes as the health sector is looking over the horizon at Amazon.com Inc., and how the company could transform the business of buying, distributing and selling drugs and medical products if it gets into health care.