Personnel Updates
Diplomat Pharmacy announced Robert Fleckenstein has been promoted to Senior VP Operations and Gary Rice has been promoted to Senior VP Clinical Services, Education and Human Resources.
National Association of Chain Drug Stores promoted Sara Roszak to its new Research Programs Director.
Rite Aid Corporation announced that Darren Karst has been promoted to the combined role of Senior Exec VP and CFO and Chief Administrative Officer. The company also announced the promotion of Jim Comitale to Senior VP, General Counsel and Secretary. He is succeeding Marc Strassler, who will continue to serve as Rite Aid’s corporate counsel.
Walgreens Boots Alliance announced its President of Digital and Chief Marketing Officer, Sona Chawla, is departing the company.
Financial Focus
Walgreens Boots Alliance reported total sales topped $103 billion for the year.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Walgreens Boots Alliance is in advanced talks to acquire Rite Aid Corporation.
Industry Insight
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale of 74 pharmacies and assets to CVS Health and Rite Aid in a deal valued collectively at more than $31.4 million.
CVS Health announced that MinuteClinic has opened its 1,000th MinuteClinic location nationwide. The MinuteClinic is located at the CVS/pharmacy location on Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. The company also announced MinuteClinic has opened its first retail clinics in Maine inside CVS/pharmacy stores in Portland and South Portland.
CVS Health recently announced plans to establish a Caremark support operation in Orange County Florida for its pharmacies in the southeastern U.S. could create as many as 500 jobs.
CVS Health announced the first MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics have come to Springfield, MO. Three clinics have opened inside CVS/pharmacy stores in Springfield and a fourth location will open in December.
LA Fitness intends to acquire the assets of the eleven 24 Hour Fitness clubs in Arizona, and 24 Hour Fitness intends to acquire the assets of two LA Fitness clubs in Oklahoma and one in Nebraska.
McKesson Canada opened its latest pharmaceutical distribution center in Trenton, ON. The new facility features 500,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and 12,700 sq. ft. of office space, and will employ a staff of more than 200 employees.
Meijer opened their first retail pharmacy inside Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.
Sephora plans to open several shops in Iran starting next year.
Walgreens introduced its new electronics accessories brand Infinitive, available at both Walgreens locations and Boots in the U.K. The line includes USB power cables, headphones and other technology accessories like mobile phone tripods.
Walmart is launching a new initiative with InComm and Pursuant Health that allows health plans to promote health risk assessments at kiosks in Walmart stores.
Real Estate
Bartell Drugs unveiled the largest of its 64 locations at Bellevue Village on Nov. 8 with the completion of a major 5,500 sq. ft. expansion and remodel.
