US retail giants like Walmart, Costco, CVS, and Amazon are leveraging direct-to-consumer GLP-1 weight-loss drug programs to acquire long-term customer relationships, as employers increasingly drop coverage. This strategy aims to drive loyalty and cross-selling opportunities.
A new study, published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health, has mapped Australia's "pharmacy deserts" for the first time, identifying areas with low community pharmacy density. Findings show fewer services in remote Northern Territory communities, outer-city Melbourne and Perth, and specific rural towns, with Australia's average density below the global average.
The NHS is integrating AI into its app to triage patients, directing them to appropriate services like GP appointments, pharmacies, or A&E. This initiative aims to reduce the "8am scramble" for appointments and is part of a £10bn government investment in health tech. While promising faster care, concerns remain about long-term strategy, evidence of productivity, patient privacy, and digital exclusion.
JNTU Kakinada announced the AP EAPCET 2026 results on July 1, with 70.52% qualifying in Engineering and 89.59% in Agriculture/Pharmacy. Candidates can download rank cards from cets.apsche.ap.gov.in, and counselling details will be released soon by APSCHE.
States are enacting laws to regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) due to concerns over high drug costs. These PBMs, like CVS, manage prescription coverage and negotiate drug prices. Regulations aim to limit PBM compensation, set minimum pharmacist payments, and increase transparency, facing opposition and legal challenges from companies like CVS.
States are enacting laws to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) due to rising drug costs. These PBMs, which manage prescription coverage for insurers, are facing restrictions on their operations and compensation. CVS Health is actively fighting these regulations through lawsuits and advertising campaigns, while independent pharmacies argue they are being squeezed by PBMs' practices.
CEE Kerala released the KEAM 2026 rank list today, June 26, for over 1.48 lakh candidates. The publication was delayed to allow Class 12 marks updates after CBSE revaluation. The centralized allotment process will commence late June/July.
Casos de lesão hepática foram registrados em Victoria, Austrália, após o uso de produtos com retatrutida, substância para obesidade e diabetes. Autoridades suspeitam de contaminantes em versões ilegais comercializadas online.
CVS is transitioning its over-the-counter medications to aluminum bottles, moving away from traditional plastic packaging. This change aims to improve sustainability and product stability, with initial conversions focusing on value-sized allergy and pain medications.
CVS is transitioning its over-the-counter (OTC) medications to aluminum bottles, moving away from traditional plastic packaging. This change aims to improve sustainability and practicality, with initial rollout on value-sized allergy and pain medications. Pricing remains unaffected, and customer response will determine wider adoption.
UK health leaders warn of severe NHS medicine shortages, including painkillers and HRT, impacting patient safety and forcing some to skip meals. Supply chain issues, manufacturing disruptions, and budget constraints are cited as causes.
Australian pharmaceutical group Sigma Healthcare has dropped its $10bn pursuit of UK retail chain Boots, stating the deal would not meet its strategic and capital investment objectives. The withdrawal extends uncertainty for the 177-year-old chain, which was put up for sale in 2022. Sigma shares rose 6% on the news.
Spotify removed over 57,000 podcasts advertising illegal online pharmacies after pressure from Senator Hassan's office and news reports. The company's actions were criticized as a moderation failure, with a report noting Spotify only acted after scrutiny and did not report the activity to law enforcement.
NHS England is urging hospitals to adopt 'digital triage assessment' to redirect non-urgent A&E patients to community services or later appointments, aiming to reduce overcrowding and winter crisis pressures. While some hospitals have seen reduced waiting times, concerns remain about digital access for all patients.
A 50-year-old man in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was arrested for sexually harassing two female pharmacy employees. The incident occurred on June 2nd when the man, identified as Su, groped one employee while she was making change and continued to do so twice more, even telling her to "hold on tighter." He then targeted a second employee. Police identified and apprehended Su using surveillance footage, and he has been sent to prosecutors for investigation under the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act.
Photographer Lawrence Schiller recalls Marilyn Monroe's active role in controlling her image, from cutting film negatives to directing poses, challenging the myth of a passive bombshell.
Sadie Jefferson, 90, retires from Gordons Chemists in Portrush, County Antrim, after a 75-year career, having started at 15 in 1951 and serving generations of local families.
Sadie Jefferson began working at the Portrush pharmacy in 1951 at age 15 and is retiring after more than seven decades in the same building, which has housed several owners including JGW Boggs Medical Hall, RG Macaulay's, Herons, Lloyds Pharmacy and Gordons Chemists.
Germany's Bundestag has approved a pharmacy reform allowing pharmacies to offer services like vaccinations, preventative care, and tests. The law aims to strengthen pharmacies, especially in rural areas, and will now proceed to the Bundesrat.
CDSCO urged state drug controllers to prevent drug shortages during the AIOCD's e-pharmacy strike on May 20. Measures include keeping pharmacies open, coordinating with police, and ensuring public access to medicines.
The US has imposed visa restrictions on 13 Indians, including the owner of KS International Traders, accused of trafficking fentanyl-laced drugs into the US, citing concerns over illicit fentanyl trafficking and poisoning of Americans.
The war in Iran has caused medicine prices in England to rise 20-30%, with paracetamol and hay fever tablets particularly affected. Pharmacists are paying 40-50% more to stock medicines, while air freight costs have doubled. The National Pharmacy Association warns prices could rise further, with 1,400 pharmacies having closed since 2020.
The war in Iran has caused medicine prices in England to jump 20-30%, with paracetamol and hay fever medication most affected. Pharmacies are paying 40-50% more to order stock, while wholesale prices for paracetamol have surged from 41p to £1.99. The conflict has doubled air freight costs and strangled supplies of petroleum derivatives used in medication manufacturing. Over 1,400 pharmacies have closed since 2020, with one or two closing weekly. Manufacturers warn of potential shortages within weeks if the conflict continues.
Amazon has launched a GLP-1 management program through its Amazon One Medical primary care arm, integrating obesity treatment into routine care with virtual and in-person visits, prescription management, and pharmacy fulfillment. The service offers insured pricing starting at $25/month, with cash-paying patients paying $149/month for oral medications and $299/month for injectables like Wegovy and Zepbound. Amazon plans to expand same-day drug delivery to 4,500 cities by end of 2026.
