In this Issue

October sure was a busy month for news in the drug channel. It began in earnest on Oct. 1, the day CVS’ new president officially began his new job. Before the month was over, CVS’ chief merchant left to become president of Family Dollar, and his responsibilities would be carved up between three key executives.

NEW YORK — Fast Retailing, parent company of apparel shop Uniqlo, is on the fast track. The Japanese retailer has more than 1,013 Uniqlo stores in 11 different countries, and is working to expand its U.S. presence by opening stores in major cities across the nation. Its latest stop: New York City.


I know this older guy at my gym — I call him “The Professor,” mostly because he used to teach journalism, but also because it’s more fun to say and easier to remember than his actual name. He’s 85 now, and he says if he doesn’t get to the club to swim laps and sit in the steam room at least three times a week, he feels like he’s doing something wrong. He says he feels the same way about flu shots and all vaccinations for that matter.


In the classic “Arabian Nights” tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp, the evil sorcerer who made Aladdin retrieve the lamp containing the genie attempts to get it back by tricking Aladdin’s wife into giving it to him by roaming through the streets offering to trade “new lamps for old.”


Drug Store News spoke with Category Management Association managing partner and director of best practices Gordon Wade.

DSN: What is the Category Management Association? What is its mission?


PHILADELPHIA — No matter the shape healthcare reform takes in the United States, the retail clinic industry will be a crucial cog. Today, healthcare reform means 33 million additional Americans with coverage, most likely split between Medicaid and low-cost providers. That will create a significant demand for cost-efficient solutions like retail clinics. 


In September, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association announced the appointment of Ralph Neas — former president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care — as its new president and CEO, replacing Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of the organization in May 2010. Drug Store News recently spoke with Neas about his plans and vision for the organization and the industry as a whole.


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