WALGREENS

NEW YORK — Tennis pro Serena Williams will serve as spokeswoman around the launch of Sleep Sheets, a natural sleep aid designed to support a natural sleep cycle, parent company PureBrands announced Friday.

PHOENIX — Patients with a rare, life-threatening genetic immune system disorder can receive treatment for sudden episodes more quickly and cost-effectively at home than if they go to the emergency room, according to a Walgreens Infusion Services study being presented Wednesday at the National Home Infusion Association Annual Conference and Exposition here.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens unveiled the results of research, conducted by the drug store chain, that demonstrated how its approach to community pharmacy ultimately helped improve outcomes through cost savings, pharmacist-led face-to-face patient counseling and specialized services for disease management.

New research results, presented by Walgreens at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 24th Annual Meeting and Expo last week in San Francisco, included:

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Disruptive innovation. That's the role pharmacy needs to play in the shaping of a new healthcare paradigm — one that achieves greater outcomes at lesser cost through increased involvement of retail health care. That was the theme of a presentation given Tuesday by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' new chairman Greg Wasson, who also serves as Walgreens president and CEO.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is enhancing community pharmacy by allowing customers to select a pharmacist based on their healthcare needs through a new online tool.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — It seems that many U.S. adults are unaware of what inoculations are government-recommended vaccinations, while more than half are not diligent about regular checkups with their primary care physician, according to a Walgreens survey.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected new officers for the coming year.

For the 2012-2013 term, NACDS chairman Bob Loeffler, who also serves as chief administrative officer of H-E-B, will be succeeded by Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson. Thrifty White Pharmacy president and CEO Bob Narveson was elected as vice chairman, while Rite Aid president and CEO John Standley was appointed as treasurer, as well as a member of NACDS' executive committee. Wasson, Narveson and Standley will serve one-year terms.

As Greg Wasson, president and CEO of Walgreens, settles into his new role as incoming chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Drug Store News caught up with him to get his thoughts on his new role and his industry perspectives.

DSN: As incoming chairman, what is your first order of business?