CVS

NEW YORK — Predictions of a more active flu season are coming true as temperature differences have helped drive flu activity, a Citibank financial analyst wrote.

In a letter to investors, Citi Research analyst Deborah Weinswig wrote that influenza virus activity in the week ended Dec. 8 increased year over year for the ninth consecutive time this season and increased significantly compared with last week — up 28.3% compared with last week's 20.7%.

TORONTO — Customer service is the key driver of brand advocacy in retail pharmacy, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — What pharmacy lobbying groups and Drug Store News have been saying for a while has reached the mainstream.

The New York Times published an editorial over the weekend recommending that the country address its shortage of primary care doctors by relying more on other healthcare actors — such as pharmacists, nurse practitioners and patients themselves — as well as physician assistants and members of the community.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas — CVS/pharmacy and Medicine Chest Pharmacy announced on Friday that CVS will acquire 19 Medicine Chest drug stores in Texas during the last weekend of December.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

CVS/pharmacy will operate nine of the acquired locations and relocate 10 other Medicine Chest pharmacies into nearby existing CVS/pharmacy locations. Medicine Chest will continue to operate its remaining 10 locations.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism going into 2013 and outlined its strategic growth framework, which leverages the company’s unique integrated model, during its annual Analyst Day held on Thursday in New York City.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is reminding holiday shoppers that it is a one-stop shop for holiday décor and an ideal gift destination for tech gadgets, beauty products and toys.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has upped the size of its previously announced tender offers to refinance a portion of its debt.

The company stated that it will buy back up to $1.33 billion in notes, up from the previously announced $1 billion.

HAWAII — The Pacific Business News on Friday reported that a prominent real estate executive in the Hawaii region joined Walgreens from CVS Caremark. 

According to the report, Rock Tang, former regional director for real estate in Hawaii for CVS Caremark has been named senior real estate manager at Walgreens. Tang will be in charge of developing new stores around Hawaii and in Northern California. 

For the full report, click here.