Pharmacy Technology

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Ascensia Diabetes Care is partnering with “The Dr. Oz Show” to launch a 60-Day “Take Charge” Diabetes Challenge. Ascensia is sponsoring the challenge, which is designed to increase awareness of diabetes among the general public and help to encourage better management of the condition. It will launch during the April 26 episode of The Dr. Oz Show and focuses on the importance of testing blood glucose levels regularly and maintaining a healthy diet.

NEW YORK — Bristol-Myers Squibb and Nordic Bioscience on Monday announced a collaboration agreement to develop biomarker technology to potentially aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of fibrotic diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A biomarker is a molecule that may be used to diagnose a disease, or predict disease progression and indicate response to therapy.

Editor’s Note: The Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit gathered a record crowd in December at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan to discuss the most important issues facing the industry today. Three roundtable discussions took place at the event, one regarding chronic care (which appeared in the February issue of DSN), the front-end panel (which appeared in the March issue of DSN), and this health, wellness and technology panel.

How to engage patients waiting to be seen by a doctor at a doctor’s office or hospital has been an age-old problem. Ez WaitingRoom provides a clear-cut answer. DSN spoke with CEO Ed Young about his vision to forever change this experience, and how drug store retailers fit into the equation.

DSN: Please describe ez WaitingRoom — what is it and how does it work?

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Zipdrug on Wednesday was named as an inaugural 50+ Innovative Leader by AARP and MedCity News. The inaugural program recognizes entrepreneurs, companies and ideas behind innovative new products and services for Americans aged 50 and older.

IRVINE, Calif. — PrescribeWellness announced the launch of its StarWellness Med Sync Certification program.

Designed for the more than 22,000 community pharmacies in the United States, the online Med Sync Certification course empowers pharmacies to build and manage more patient relationships, improve operating efficiency and grow revenue while addressing the major issue of medication adherence.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy has set forth a major initiative intended to promote growth in 2017 in its front store, retail pharmacy and specialty operations, CEO Michael K. Bloom stated Thursday during the company’s 2016 fiscal fourth-quarter earnings conference call.

In the front store, Fred’s is expecting top-line growth, led by the rollout of beer and wine and a major upgrade to its cosmetics assortment.

FORT WORTH, Texas — National Health Systems, the holding company for PDX, Rx.com Community Healthcare Network and NHIN, announced Monday that it has a new name, National Health Coalition, as part of its transition from an S corporation to a C corporation.