Pharmacy Technology

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson on Thursday announced that it ranked No. 8 on this year’s InformationWeek Elite 100. 

MONROVIA, Calif. — Stayhealthy on Wednesday announced the completion of its deployment of Stayhealthy HealthCENTER Kiosks in six states throughout the Supervalu chain of supermarkets and pharmacies. Supervalu, which operates Cub, Farm Fresh, Shoppers and Shop ‘n Save, is now home to Stayhealthy’s FDA-cleared, self-monitoring HealthCENTERs that provide clinical-grade health screenings free of charge, the company stated. 

NEW YORK — Smartphones and tablets may hold the key to getting more clinicians to screen patients for tobacco use and advise smokers on how to quit. Using mobile phones loaded with tobacco screening guidelines prompted nurses to ask patients about their smoking habits in 84% of clinic visits and to offer cessation counseling to 99% of smokers who expressed a willingness to kick the habit, according to a study from Columbia University School of Nursing published in Oncology Nursing Forum.

SAN FRANCISCO — Fitbit on Wednesday announced that its activity and sleep trackers now sync directly with 44 Android and iOS devices, up from 26 in early January. In addition, to bring health and fitness tracking to even more users, Fitbit also announced Wednesday that the free Fitbit app will be pre-loaded on the new HTC One (M8), allowing users to track their activity with just their smartphone.

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association Foundation and software company IQware Solutions have teamed up to create core components of an IMPACT Healthcare Innovation Hub, a new data aggregation and reporting tool that will integrate clinical and economic data.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wegmans earlier this week introduced a medication synchronization pilot to its hub store in the Syracuse market called "My Meds Together," according to company executives. 

"It all ties into adherence, which is one of our priorities," Dan Ferrara, Wegmans VP pharmacy operations, told DSN. 

WILMINGTON, Del. — AstraZeneca on Wednesday launched Nexium Direct, a program that provides eligible patients the option of having brand-name Nexium delivered directly to their home. Nexium Direct is part of AstraZeneca Direct, a web-based offering that delivers select brand name prescription medications from AstraZeneca. The medications are dispensed by a team of registered pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians available through a collaboration with Eagle Pharmacy.

NEW YORK — Walgreens' Duane Reade stores will be promoting its allergy remedies on days with high allergy indexes through Poncho, a text- and email-based weather app, according to a story published by Mashable on Tuesday. 

The offering will be Poncho's first step into monetizing its service, according to the report. 

The promotion, which was negotiated by OMD Ignition Factory according to the report, will run through June 7.