CVS

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has prepared all of its Texas-based clinics for an increased demand for the meningococcal vaccine for bacterial meningitis following a bill signed into law last May, whereby Texas will become the first state in the country to require that all college students receive one dose or booster of the meningococcal vaccine for bacterial meningitis. The requirement goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

CHICAGO — Easter Seals has elected CVS Caremark SVP corporate communications and community relations Eileen Howard Boone to its international board of directors on Monday during its annual convention in Washington, D.C.

Boone has served as an honorary member of Easter Seals' international board of directors for the past year.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As Veterans Day approaches, CVS/pharmacy is reminding all Americans, including veterans, military service members and their families, about the importance of getting a flu shot for protection against the flu.

In addition, to honor military heroes, CVS/pharmacy will donate $3 to the USO for every flu shot given at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 6 to 12, up to $50,000.

This month The Drug Store News Group introduced “From the Blogs,” a hot, new content feature on DrugStoreNews.com. Meant to provide an interactive forum for DrugStoreNews.com users, DSN From the Blogs will be anchored by expert blogs written by leading opinion leaders.


WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One very quiet bit of news worthy of a bit more attention: MinuteClinic is up to 645 clinics. Clinic revenues were up more than 15% during the quarter, and the company expects MinuteClinic will break even as planned by the end of the year. That's important because the third quarter isn't exactly a big cold-and-flu month, which means that patients are starting to use clinics for more than just sick care. Third quarter is back to school, which suggests the clinics likely were busier doing other things, such as vaccinations and physicals.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As part of its broad support for patients with diabetes, and in recognition of American Diabetes Month, CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that it will be hosting live Facebook chats to answer patients' questions about diabetes and chronic condition management.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark on Thursday reported solid third-quarter results — 2 cents above the high end of its guidance range — driven in large part by better-than-expected performance in its pharmacy benefit management, which is in the midst of a profit-improvement plan.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and Direct Relief USA teamed up to provide free flu vaccinations at a flu shot clinic held Thursday in Dallas at Healing Hands Ministries Medical & Dental Clinic.