RETAIL NEWS

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The retail pharmacy industry is pursuing legal action against Washington state over a “substantively and procedurally flawed” rule  that would pay pharmacies below the actual cost to dispense Medicaid prescriptions.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores joined the Washington State Pharmacy Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association in preventing a rule that would jeopardize patient access to their medications, the associations said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — All told, as many as 118 healthcare organizations have signed letters supporting legislation that would prohibit retroactive pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees in the Medicare Part D program.

The support is up significantly from last year, when more than 95 health care organizations signaled their support in similar letters to the House and Senate last September.

SEATTLE — Amazon is getting is shutting down one of its units after it failed to turn a profit.

The company is pulling the plug on Quidsi, parent company of diapers.com, soap.com and several other shopping sites, which it purchased in 2010. The news was first reported by Bloomberg.

 ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance, an organization of private label manufacturers and retailers, on Wednesday announced it will be publishing the first ANSI-approved standards for the production of dietary supplements this spring, with additional standards for beauty products, OTC medicines and medical devices to come this fall.

“We’ve had tremendous participation from store brand retailers, manufacturers, trade associations and certification bodies,” said Casey Coy, interim manager of the GRMA.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is teaming up with radio station Warm 106.9 FM for the annual "Teddy Bear Patrol" campaign, April 2 through 29, intended to give "bear hugs" to children in stressful or traumatic situations. This marks the 28th year of this campaign.

NEW ORELANS — Registration is now open for McKesson ideaShare 2017, which will take place in the Big Easy July 12–16, 2017 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center here. This year, the conference has been redesigned with an increased focus on connecting independent pharmacies with the tools and expertise needed to improve their clinical, operational and financial performance.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Danny Wegman on Wednesday announced that his daughter, Colleen Wegman, has been named president and CEO of Wegmans Food Markets. With the appointment, Danny Wegman will assume the title of chairman.

“I will continue in my role, but now as chairman of the company,” Danny Wegman said. “The time has come to create a structure for the future that will allow us to remain strong, vibrant and family-owned. I have no doubt that our company will be in good hands.”

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Moe Alkemade, former Walgreens group VP/general manager for convenience, will join private brand manufacturer TreeHouse Foods as SVP and chief strategy officer, effective April 24, the company announced Tuesday.

He will report to Sam Reed, TreeHouse chairman and CEO. The move reunites Alkemade with Rachel Bishop, who joined Treehouse from Walgreens in 2014.