pharmacies

Bipartisan momentum is building in Washington against pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen who negotiate drug prices and have been blamed for soaring prescription costs. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for greater oversight and potential reforms of the industry, a rare area of common ground in a divided Congress.

The FDA has announced a new nationwide recall of a blood pressure medication. Few details beyond the announcement are available so far, including which specific drug, manufacturer, and lot numbers are affected, or the reason for the recall. Patients taking blood pressure medication are advised to watch for updates from the FDA and their pharmacies before making any changes to their treatment.

The billionaire Weston family has agreed to buy the pharmacy chain Boots in a deal valued at $8.9 billion, according to the Financial Times. The agreement would end owner Walgreens Boots Alliance's long-running efforts to sell off or spin off the UK high-street retailer. The sale of one of Britain's best-known chemist chains is drawing widespread attention.

The Weston family, the billionaires behind Primark, have agreed to buy high street chemist Boots in a deal valued at around £7 billion. The acquisition brings the pharmacy chain back under British ownership after years under US parent Walgreens Boots Alliance, and lands at a sensitive moment for the UK high street.

Pharmacy chain Boots has been sold to Canada's Weston family in a £6.7 billion deal, according to The Independent. The takeover hands ownership of one of Britain's best-known high street retailers to the family behind Selfridges and George Weston Limited. The sale ends a lengthy ownership saga for Boots and is drawing significant attention in the UK, where its future under new ownership is the focus of discussion.

German media report that a bailiff has carried out a seizure against the online pharmacy DocMorris over unpaid fines. The enforcement action, covered by WELT, highlights the company's dispute with German authorities over penalties it has refused to pay. The case raises questions about how far authorities can go in enforcing fines against a large cross-border mail-order pharmacy.

The updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine has rolled out in the United States, with people booking Moderna booster appointments at pharmacies such as Walgreens. The news comes as a COVID update reports a 13th wave underway, with outbreaks in 40 states and territories and an estimated 3.8 million new infections, prompting renewed calls to get the latest shot.

In France, discussion around vaccination is focused on rules allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer vaccines, with professional obligations outlined by health authorities. The topic covers both seasonal flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster campaigns. Interest appears tied to the ongoing vaccination season and questions about how pharmacy-based vaccination will work for patients and healthcare professionals.

Flu is trending in the Netherlands and Belgium as the season gets underway. Belgian outlet HLN reports on a vaccine available at pharmacies that, according to doctors quoted, lowers the risk of serious heart problems during flu by 34 percent. The item is being widely shared as people look for ways to protect themselves this flu season.

Germany marks the Day of German Unity, its national holiday commemorating reunification in 1990, this Saturday. In Bonn, many residents are checking which shops stay open despite the public holiday. The General-Anzeiger Bonn reports where people can still shop that day, as regular stores generally close on the holiday, leaving pharmacies, bakeries and petrol stations among the limited options.

BrightSpring Health Services is outlining a growth strategy centered on expanding its specialty pharmacy business, pursuing acquisitions, and adopting artificial intelligence across its operations. The company, which provides home and community-based pharmacy and health services, is positioning these three levers as key drivers of expansion, and coverage of the plan is drawing attention from investors tracking the healthcare services and pharmacy sector.

People across the US are looking for flu shots as flu season gets underway. Local health departments are promoting vaccination clinics, including free flu shots offered by a Tennessee county health department, while North Carolina's Brunswick County is publishing guidance on where residents can get vaccinated. Pharmacies, clinics and health departments are the main options being highlighted.

Boots has announced a major change to its vaccination services for people aged over 65, taking effect from October 1. The pharmacy chain is preparing its autumn vaccine rollout, likely covering seasonal flu jabs and COVID-19 boosters for older and higher-risk groups. The announcement is drawing wide attention in the UK as people look to book appointments ahead of the winter season, with the story also gaining traction in the US.

High-street chemist chain Boots has been sold in a deal valued at around £7bn to a Canadian billionaire family, according to BBC News. The transaction ends years of uncertainty over the pharmacy retailer's ownership, and the news is being widely shared across business, retail and finance circles.

The owner of US pharmacy chain Walgreens has sold British high-street chemist Boots for $8.9 billion, according to Crain's Chicago Business. The reported sale marks a major change for the well-known UK pharmacy brand, which has been part of the same group as Walgreens for years. Details on the buyer and what it means for Boots stores and staff were not given in the report.

Canada's Weston family has agreed to buy British high-street pharmacy chain Boots in a deal valued at $8.9 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. The takeover puts one of Britain's best-known retail names under Canadian ownership and is drawing attention on both sides of the Atlantic, with observers watching what it means for Boots' stores, staff and customers.

New 2025 employment data show pharmacist salaries and job numbers declining in retail pharmacy while hospital pharmacy positions and pay are gaining. The analysis suggests chain store closures and reduced retail demand are pushing pharmacists toward clinical settings, reshaping where pharmacy jobs are concentrated in the United States.

Amazon and GoodRx are rolling out subscription services aimed at Americans who pay out of pocket for prescriptions, as more people lose or go without health insurance coverage. The move positions the two companies as discount alternatives to traditional pharmacy benefits, and analysts see it as a sign of the shifting US healthcare market.

High street pharmacy chain Boots is reportedly closing in on a £7 billion sale to Canada's Weston family, according to reports. The deal would end years of uncertainty over the ownership of the retailer, which has been put up for sale by its current owners, Associated British Foods. The Weston family already has longstanding ties to the business.

Utah has approved a series of pilot programs allowing the use of artificial intelligence in health care, focused on drug management and women's health. The move, reported by Healthcare Dive, makes the state one of the more active in testing AI applications in clinical and pharmacy settings. Details on program scope and timelines were not provided in the report.

A disabled artist, posting under the mutual aid tag, says she needs $100 within two days to cover a pharmacy bill and is thanking donors who have already contributed. The appeal is circulating among mutual aid communities, where users boost small, time-sensitive crowdfunding requests for medication and living costs.

Tria Health is drawing attention to the warning signs of diabetes and pointing people toward free health coaching resources. With diabetes rates rising and many cases going undiagnosed, health providers are urging the public to recognize symptoms such as increased thirst, fatigue, and frequent urination early. The company offers pharmacy-based coaching programs to help people manage risk factors and existing conditions.

The Arkansas Court of Appeals has sided with Walmart, upholding a lower court ruling that the company's insurers are obligated to defend it against opioid-related lawsuits. The decision means insurance carriers cannot avoid covering Walmart's legal costs in ongoing opioid litigation. The ruling is being closely watched as retailers and pharmacies across the United States face a wave of opioid liability claims.

Attention is turning to US pharmacy benefit manager reform, with commentary arguing that legislation passed by Congress still falls short of ensuring savings reach consumers at the pharmacy counter. The argument is that despite bipartisan criticism of PBMs over drug pricing, further congressional action is needed before patients see real benefits from the reforms.

A Crain's Cleveland Business opinion piece argues that pharmacies should be treated as essential healthcare infrastructure rather than ordinary retail amenities. The author's argument speaks to ongoing concerns about pharmacy closures and reduced access to medication, particularly in underserved communities, and calls for policy that reflects pharmacies' role in the health system.