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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday inserted another piece into its comprehensive healthcare offering, just in time for the PBM selling season, with the acquisition of BioScrip's community specialty pharmacies.

Walgreens and BioScrip announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Walgreens will acquire certain assets of BioScrip's community specialty pharmacies and centralized specialty and mail-service pharmacy businesses for a total deal value of approximately $225 million.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's comps increased 2.2% for the month of January, compared with January 2011, the company said Thursday.

Announcing results of the four-week period that ended Saturday, the retail pharmacy chain said January front-end comps increased 2.7%, while pharmacy comps increased 2.1%, including a negative effect of 230 basis points from new generic introductions. Prescription count at comparable stores increased by 1.6%.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday promised to donate $1 to the American Heart Association, up to $100,000, for each complimentary blood-pressure test conducted in February at a Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic. The push behind the initiatives is a part of Walgreens' Way to Well Commitment, a four-year, $100 million commitment to disease prevention and to improving everyday health through education and early detection of today’s leading diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is marking American Heart Month with a campaign that offers blood-pressure screenings, online tools and hearth health guides for free, the company said Wednesday.

Through Feb. 29, customers can buy a paper red dress for $1 that they can sign, dedicate and pin to store walls to help promote awareness of women's heart health.

Ever wonder how the convenient care industry blossomed into what it is today? One could say a fortune cookie.

“I love Chinese food, and my kids always get me Chinese food for dinner on Mother’s Day. My Chinese fortune cookie said, when I opened [it]: ‘You will be offered the opportunity of a lifetime, say yes,’” explained Sandy Ryan, Walgreens’ Take Care Health Systems chief nurse practitioner officer and clinical advocate.

ITASCA, Ill. — Supervalu-owned Jewel-Osco has announced that it will celebrate Black History Month this February with its 13th annual “A Taste of Black History” program, a monthlong initiative to honor the contributions of Jewel-Osco’s African-American vendors and help them build on their success in the retail food business.

In addition to numerous in-store sampling events featuring African-American vendor products, Jewel-Osco will host a private reception on Feb. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Chicago’s South Shore Cultural Center.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has introduced a program that allows pharmacy patients to receive immediate notification via text message when their prescription is ready to be picked up, the drug store chain said.

Order Ready Text Messaging, which is available on nearly all mobile carriers, offers text alerts in English and Spanish. Customers interest in enrolling into Order Ready Text Messaging can do so by speaking to a pharmacy staff member or visiting CVS.com/text. Standard message rates apply.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox, a division of Coinstar, announced Tuesday it has renewed its agreement with Walmart to continue featuring Redbox kiosks at more than 3,700 Walmart locations nationwide.

The agreement extends the availability of Redbox kiosks and builds upon the companies' more than 5-year relationship, said Redbox.

The first Redbox kiosks were installed in Walmart stores in 2006.