WALGREENS

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Coventry Health Care of Georgia has launched an awareness campaign with Walgreens that underscores the benefits of including the drug store chain in employers' 2012 pharmacy networks.

The campaign — which includes print and radio advertisements and outreach to companies whose current health plans will not include Walgreens in their 2012 pharmacy networks — seeks to educate employers in the Augusta and Savannah areas about how they can ensure access to convenient pharmacy services for their employees, Coventry said.

CHICAGO — Walgreens now has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in communities highly impacted by HIV, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pharmacy operator announced Thursday at the U.S. Conference on AIDS.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced it is offering a discount to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, in recognition of their service and commitment to the country.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced the company is donating nearly $400,000 worth of personal care items to the United Service Organizations to support operations in Landstuhl, Germany. The donation includes first aid items, toiletries, diapers and baby bottles, as well as coloring books, gum and playing cards.

The donation was shipped in late October and should arrive by Veterans Day, Walgreens noted.

PHOENIX — The University of Arizona Cancer Center, in partnership with Walgreens, last month opened a specialty outpatient pharmacy on-site to meet the needs of its patients.

October sure was a busy month for news in the drug channel. It began in earnest on Oct. 1, the day CVS’ new president officially began his new job. Before the month was over, CVS’ chief merchant left to become president of Family Dollar, and his responsibilities would be carved up between three key executives.

TAMPA, Fla. — PMSI on Friday confirmed its continued relationship with Walgreens to serve payers and injured workers through Walgreens nationwide network.

LOS ANGELES — The Magic Johnson Foundation on Monday initiated Point Forward Day, marking 20 years to the date that Johnson announced his HIV status and subsequent retirement from the National Basketball Association.

In partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MJF will host free confidential testing events at retailers, including Walgreens in Chicago.  At select locations, testing will include participation from government officials, dignitaries and athletes who will lead their communities by getting tested first at on site mobile units.