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WASHINGTON — CVS Caremark's chief healthcare strategy officer on Tuesday outlined how the company's integrated pharmacy-based program for such chronic diseases as diabetes, called Pharmacy Advisor, increased medication adherence rates and physician initiation of prescriptions for concomitant medications to improve patient health.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — After announcing a special discount for Express Scripts members on the annual membership fee for the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, the drug store chain said its PSC gained nearly 125,000 customers in the first week of the new year.

LOS ANGELES and WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business from Health Net for approximately $160 million in cash.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, including approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation services and free in-store federal form 1040EZ filing. The retailer also will provide $3 and $6 check-cashing services.

"We believe Americans shouldn't have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs," almart Financial Services VP Daniel Eckert said. "It's their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price."

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has hired Wendy Barnes as group VP managed care, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Reporting to SVP pharmacy services Chris Hall, Barnes will be responsible for all aspects of managed care, including contracting; relationships with managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payers; and developing new strategic partnerships.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — A CVS Caremark study found that the company's integrated pharmacy-based program — Pharmacy Advisor — increased medication adherence rates and physician initiation of prescriptions for concomitant medications, improving care for diabetes patients and resulting in savings for health plans, the company announced on Monday.

WASHINGTON — RetireSafe, a 400,000-supporter strong grassroots organization that advocates and educates on behalf of America's seniors on issues regarding Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being, on Friday issued a press release urging Express Scripts to return to the negotiating table and come to an agreement with Walgreens.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — It's been a big week for Walgreens. Following its exit from Express Scripts' pharmacy network, the pharmacy retailer introduced a new program to help patients either keep their pharmacy home at Walgreens or to help transition them to a new pharmacy. Why help transition customers to the competition? Because it's the right thing to do. As Greg Wasson told DSN editor Rob Eder in an exclusive interview, "our No. 1 priority is to take care of patients."