WALGREENS

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Even as Walgreens expands its operation globally through strategic partnerships with both Alliance Boots and now AmerisourceBergen, the pharmacy operator continues to create some retail pop in the U.S. market. For example, Walgreens has set the stage for the opening of three more flagship stores.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens recently presented the research on how community pharmacy programs, as well as new adherence models and metrics, can help drive better medication adherence. The research, presented at the World Congress Summit in Philadelphia last Friday, demonstrates the company’s success in improving patient medication adherence by developing an infrastructure that tracks patient-level adherence and uses predictive modeling along with risk stratification to identify patient patterns. 

FORT WORTH, Texas — In a SEC filing, RadioShack last week confirmed it had recruited Michael De Fazio, one of the architects behind Duane Reade's new store formats, to help the small-box specialty retailer recapture some of its lost retail pizzazz. 

As SVP store concepts, De Fazio joins a team that includes Troy Risch, who came to RadioShack from Target as EVP operations in December, and Huey Long, formerly of Wal-Mart and now RadioShack EVP strategy and consumer insights who also signed with RadioShack in December. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday introduced several updates to its mobile app, most notably the ability to print from Instagram, as well as upload more than five pictures simultaneously for in-store prints. 

“We know that many people enjoy customizing their photos to reflect the uniqueness of each shot,” stated Jasbir Patel, senior director and general merchandise manager, photo and e-commerce, Walgreens. “Aligning our QuickPrints technology to Instagram helps our customers make those digital images come to life in print form.” 

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Walgreens was singled out in a lawsuit earlier this week here for suggesting a vitamin E supplement may help improve cardiovascular health. 

Specifically, according to a Reuters report Monday, the complainant stated that Walgreens' Vitamin E 400 IU purported to "naturally contribute to cardiovascular health by helping to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation which may cause cellular damage." 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bausch + Lomb and Walgreens on Wednesday introduced a new SightSense online and in-store patient education program in an effort to heighten eye health awareness and encourage consumers to take proactive steps to protect and preserve their sight.

By now you probably have heard about "Walgreens University," the internal education center the company opened last month, complete with technology-enhanced classrooms, a mock drug store and video-conferencing capabilities for employee educational programs.

Competing in the new age of retail, where bricks, clicks and anything in between compete for a larger share of the omnichannel customer, will require new skill sets and a generally better-educated workforce. The winners will create a more personalized shopping experience that leverages the expertise in their stores.

OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, last week recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012. Walgreens and Kerr Drug were named top large pharmacy chain and top regional pharmacy chain, respectively. 

MTM matters, and people are keeping score. And it's something you can expect to see more of in the age of accountable care and star-based quality ratings.