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WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark issued on Tuesday two new reports that highlight research the company is conducting around medication adherence, including one study that reviews and compares state-by-state adherence rates for patients managing four chronic diseases.
 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — On the eve of a potential Federal Trade Commission approval of the Express Scripts-Medco merger, Walgreens' underlying fundamentals still are strong, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told analysts Tuesday morning. It's that underlying strength that has helped Walgreens in the wake of its exit from the Express Scripts pharmacy benefit network, a factor that impacted Walgreens' net earnings by 7 cents per diluted share for its second quarter ended Feb. 29.

Move over dump bins, endcap displays and newspaper circulars and make room for the new high-tech kid on the retail block — digitization.
Smartphones and the concept of digital coupons may not be so new, but what is relatively new to the mass market and becoming increasingly pervasive throughout the industry is the use of mobile technologies and social networking platforms — by both retailers and manufacturers — to customize offers for today’s shopper.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A Rite Aid pharmacist and customer on the West Coast are the winners of an annual contest the chain sponsors, the company said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Walgreens and Duane Reade stores are facing off on a challenge regarding which banner can raise the most funds over a four-week period in the fall in support of the American Diabetes Association Greater New York City Area, the ADA announced Monday.

Duane Reade will conduct the campaign in October and Walgreens will conduct the campaign in November.

QUINCY, Mass. — Ahold's 756 stores in the Northeast will no longer carry a beef filler product that has attracted significant controversy among consumers lately.

Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle simultaneously announced that they would no longer purchase ground beef containing finely textured beef, which often is derided as "pink slime" due to its pink color and viscous texture.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid has become the latest chain to join the retail smartphone application game.

The Camp Hill, Pa.-based retail pharmacy chain recently launched an app for smartphones that allows users to refill prescriptions by scanning their barcodes or entering the prescription number, transfer prescriptions, manage their Wellness+ loyalty card accounts, view weekly circulars and compile shopping lists, among other features.

The app is available for major smartphone brands including the Apple iPhone and Android phones.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that CVS/pharmacy is closing all of its upscale Beauty360 stores may have raised a few eyebrows — or perhaps not — but now it will be interesting to see the changes that occur in store and online in beauty.

(THE NEWS: CVS/pharmacy to close all Beauty360 locations. For the full story, click here)