INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

NEW YORK — If anyone thinks that CVS has recast itself solely as a healthcare company, given its string of acquisitions in recent years — particularly, Caremark and MinuteClinic — they probably haven’t seen a Beauty360 store yet. In fact, standing in the middle of one of these 3,000 sq.-ft., high-end beauty boutiques, you might have a hard time recognizing you were in a CVS store at all.

NEW YORK The organizations representing the nation’s chain and independent drug stores have requested a chunk of the $2 billion that the White House has set aside in its economic stimulus package to help spur the adoption of electronic medical records and healthcare IT.

NEW YORK Rite Aid has been fighting off the delisting of its shares trading on the New York Stock Exchange since September, and although the company had the approval of its investors to execute a reverse-split in its back pocket, certainly that was a card management didn’t want to play if it could avoid it.

NEW YORK News that CVS Caremark is conducting a pilot of a specialty pharmacy program in Florida not only speaks to the importance of the fastest-growing segment in pharmacy, but also provides a glimpse into the future of how the traditional drug store can participate in the brave new world of specialty pharmacy.