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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday reported December sales of $7.2 billion, an increase of 7.2%. Sales in comparable stores increased by 6.1% in December. Calendar day shifts positively impacted total comparable sales by 170 basis points, while generic drug introductions in the last 12 months negatively impacted total comparable sales by 70 basis points. December 2013 had one additional Tuesday and one fewer Saturday compared with December 2012. 

ATHENS, Ga. — A professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy has been named the first Rite Aid professor in community pharmacy, the school said.

Beth Phillips, who took the new role on Dec. 1, joined the college's faculty in 2007, and the school said the professorship, its newest, includes a $250,000 endowment for salary support, research and teaching assistance and traveling expenses. Of the school's other endowed professorships, one also is sponsored by Kroger.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is stepping up its flu shot promotions as flu activity increases.

The retail pharmacy chain said Monday that seasonal flu shots were still available at all its stores, and that people who have not received a shot this season should do so as soon as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu shots for everyone aged 6 months and older.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is providing prescriptions at no upfront cost to customers who have enrolled in the health insurance marketplaces, but have not received an ID number, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company said that during the month of January, it would dispense a 15- to 30-day supply of many medications to customers who bring in confirmation of their enrollment until their prescription coverage details are available. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, took full effect Wednesday.

According to reports, as many as 2.1 million Americans signed up for new insurance coverage that went into effect Jan. 1. However, even though these newly insured people had coverage, what they perhaps didn't have was the identification card to process claims, such as prescriptions, for example. But don't worry, retail pharmacy was fast to the rescue, offering those 2.1 million patients who had obtained insurance through a health exchange the benefit of the doubt and a 30-day supply of their prescriptions at no upfront cost once their coverage was verified. 

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid reported a 2.9% increase in same-store sales for the month of December, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

For the four-week period that ended Saturday, front-end same-store sales increased by 1%, while pharmacy same-store sales increased by 4.1%, including a 1% negative effect from the introduction of new generic drugs. Meanwhile, a decrease in sales of flu shots and prescription flu drugs resulted in a 2% decrease in same-store script count.

Total sales were $2.109 billion, an increase of 2.7% over December 2012.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Wheat Thins fans will get a new product to enjoy with the introduction of Wheat Thins Popped. The snack will hit retailers nationwide beginning March. 

It will be the first popped whole grain snack with wheat as the first ingredient. Wheat Thins Popped has less than 130 calories per 27-piece serving and comes in three varieties: Original Sea Salt, Sour Cream and Onion and Spicy Cheddar. The snack will retail for $3.69
 

NEW YORK — Regional chain Kinney Drugs is the latest to offer prescriptions at no upfront cost to some customers who have enrolled in Obamacare, according to published reports.

The Syracuse, N.Y., Post-Standard reported Friday that the Gouverneur, N.Y.-based chain would offer 30-day prescriptions to customers who have enrolled, but have not received an identification number. The offer is good through the month of January. Kinney operates 99 stores in central and northern New York and adjacent areas of Vermont.