Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy on Thursday released data showing that both patients and their health plans can realize savings of up to 60% on the cost of infused specialty medications by choosing alternate treatment sites.

The call to Congress to reject budget proposals that would increase co-pays for prescription medications at community pharmacies for Tricare patients is important as the war between the pharmacy and pharmacy benefit manager lobbies heats up.

Retailers have always been about enhancing the shopping experience, but there are two factors this year that really should underscore the importance in that customer focus. Differentiating a retail shopping trip by experience is a lot friendlier to the margins because a shopper willing to trade on shopping experience also is willing to spend a little more. And with the proliferation of social media and apps for smartphones and tablets, there has never been a more efficient means to target a message to a shopper who is physically in the aisles and making a purchase decision than today.

Retailers are set to build customer engagement by investing in information technology and e-commerce, as well as enhancing customer service initiatives and building on mobile platforms, a new report from the National Retail Federation and KPMG found.

Sam's Club has made a major commitment to health and wellness, and is hosting screening events every month of the year. January was New Year, New You. This month it's heart health. Next month it's allergy screenings. In June it's men's health, which includes some pretty expensive PSA tests. Why? Sam's wants its members to know it's serious about health and wellness, and knows that these events are a good way to convert members into patients.

Bloomberg on Friday reported that Express Scripts intends to inform the Federal Trade Commission that the company has delivered all the data requested regarding its purchase of Medco Health Solutions on Friday, which will trigger a 30-day period for a decision from the FTC.

In the five years since he has led the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, president and CEO Steve Anderson has operated under a sound policy; so simple, it is the advice he gives his own children: “We don’t start any fights — but we sure are going to finish them.” On Monday, Anderson and NACDS chairman Bob Loeffler, who also serves as H-E-B chief administrative officer, told NACDS Regional Chain Conference attendees that now they are going to take that fight to the PBM lobby.

The move by Katz Group to shed its independent and franchise businesses marks a shift in the Canadian market and likely sets the stage for even more changes north of the border. And while it remains unclear just how the pharmacy retail landscape in Canada will look in the years ahead, what is clear is that the winds of change are blowing, and industry eyes will remain fixed on the Canadian market, perhaps now more than ever.

Walgreens is helping to redefine what it means to be a successful retail pharmacy operator. The proof is in this new direction that Walgreens is taking — approaching employers and payers with a comprehensive, cost-lowering strategy across that company's entire health spend, not just their prescription spend.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a long-acting injected diabetes drug made by Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes, the two companies said.

The news that MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to protect their children and themselves by getting the proper vaccination is important as it not only addresses a serious health concern, but also underscores the valuable role that retail-based health clinics can play in health care.

Lower-limb amputation is a very real risk for many of the 25.8 million Americans living with diabetes. Though this study may be encouraging, the job of reducing the incidence of diabetes — and in particular, educating people about the need to watch their diets, take their medications and take care of their bodies — remains far from complete, as other recent stories in the media have revealed.