Top Retailers

First at-home pet urine test available at all Meijer locations
LOS ANGELES — Petnostics, manufacturer of the first at-home urine test for pets, announced its product line is available at all 230 Meijer locations throughout the country.

The company’s smart urine test kits, test strips and accessories allow pet owners to check their dog or cat’s health instantly via their iPhone or Android phone.
Walgreens pilots vision care offering at Chicago flagship
CHICAGO — Walgreens Boots Alliance is piloting a retail vision care center at one Walgreens location within its flagship Magnificent Mile store in the Wrigley Building here, the company recently revealed, taking what has been a successful page out of its U.K.-based Boots Pharmacy division and applying that strategy to the U.S. market.

Texas region tops flu activity

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas, region is the top demographic market area for influenza activity, followed by Lafayette, La., and Puerto Rico, according to the Walgreens Flu Index for the week of Dec. 25.

On a flu activity gains basis, the same southern Texas region also ranks No. 1, followed by Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb., and Jackson, Miss., for the week of Dec. 25.

The top states for flu activity gains are Montana, Utah, Nebraska and Oklahoma, respectively.
FTC expected to rule on Walgreens-Rite Aid merger before Trump takes office

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission will rule on the Walgreens Boots Alliance-Rite Aid merger before the Trump Administration takes office on Jan. 20, according to the New York Post. The newspaper added approval of the transaction is “not guaranteed.”

“It is most likely [FTC] Chairwoman Edith Ramirez addresses it before she leaves,” a source close to the situation told the news outlet, and not leave it to a Republican-led FTC.
Fruth Pharmacy gets in the holiday spirit

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Fruth Pharmacy got in the holiday spirit on Dec. 20 as its corporate office here made two separate donations.
Walgreens acquisition of Rite Aid expected to close in early 2017

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Now that the divestiture of 865 Rite Aid stores to Fred’s Pharmacy for $950 million has been announced, Walgreens Boots Alliance’s acquisition of Rite Aid is moving forward, with an expected closing date of early 2017.
Walgreens launches safe medication disposal kiosk program in New Jersey

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is launching its safe medication disposal kiosk program in New Jersey with the installation of drug take-back kiosks at 16 Walgreens drugstores.

The launch is part of Walgreens effort, announced earlier this year, to install safe medication disposal kiosks at more than 500 of its drugstores around the country. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie visited an East Brunswick store to kick off the drug take-back program in New Jersey.
Here's where the flu is hitting hardest right now

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The latest Walgreens Flu Index shows that Puerto Rico and parts of Louisana are the top spots for flu activity so far this season.

The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report that provides state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country.

The Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology, the data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity.
Secret Santa makes Christmas wishes come true at Sav-Mor Pharmacy

An anonymous donor is making this Christmas a lot merrier for some Sav-Mor Pharmacy customers in Illinois.

The retailer says it received a $1,000 check from an anonymous donor. The donor asked the retailer to use the money to help customers pay for their prescription medications.

According to WAND-17 in Decatur, Ill., Sav-Mor Pharmacy owner Dave Falk said the donation has made an impact with his customers. "The Falk family owns a total of 15 pharmacies in central Illinois and this is the first time an act of kindness of this magnitude has occurred."
Walgreens expands availability of naloxone without a prescription

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has expanded the availability of prescription-free naloxone to 33 states and the District of Columbia.

The medication can be dispensed in accordance with each state’s pharmacy regulations at nearly 5,800 Walgreens pharmacies. Naloxone can be used in the event of an overdose to reverse the effects of heroin or other opioid drugs, and is administered by injection or nasal spray.