WALGREENS

Walgreens is no longer at the corner of happy and healthy. It’s expanded well beyond the U.S. neighborhood and, while it’s not everywhere yet, it’s bigger than anyone else. A lot bigger. This size creates challenges for the U.S. OTC market.

WASHINGTON — Walgreens, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. jointly announced a collaborative agreement that will help improve mental health care for veterans via enhanced education, access to resources and outreach.

Walgreens, VA and VFW will work together to reach veterans in communities across the country with targeted initiatives to address mental health awareness and treatment, veteran suicide prevention and opioid overdose education.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The clock for the Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid merger was definitively set Monday evening as the two companies announced that they have certified substantial compliance with the Federal Trade Commission's Request for Additional Information.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Walgreens is seeking to fill as many as 150 customer care advisor positions at its high-tech customer contact center in Muscle Shoals, Ala., pushing the total workforce at the Northwest Alabama facility to around 600, officials from the Alabama Department of Commerce announced last month.

Shoals officials said the customer contact center is a major employer in the region and its expansion is welcome news.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In a 10-K filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday, Rite Aid expressed its belief that the proposed per share merger acquisition would likely fall to $6.50 per share, suggesting the divestiture of an additional 335 stores to secure approval from the Federal Trade Commission.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — In the lead-up to the third annual Red Nose Day, Mars Chocolate North America’s M&M’s brand is working to raise money for kids in need. The brand is rolling out a new vending machine at various Walgreens that dispenses coupons to raise donations and awareness in exchange for a funny face, a silly dance or great joke, the company said.

M&M’s also will donate more than $1 million to the Red Nose Day fund to support programs for children, kicking off its efforts with a New York City flash mob on May 1.