pharmacy

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 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.

A shopper describes asking a pharmacy clerk where the toothpaste was, only to be met with a vague gesture across the store rather than a spoken answer, and a short reply of 'four' when pressing for the aisle number. The account says this reflects a broader retail trend of staff avoiding verbal engagement with customers, and asks whether others have noticed the same shift.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A person reports receiving an updated Covid vaccination and says they are waiting for Moderna's new mRNA flu vaccine, mResvia's flu counterpart under the brand name mFlusiva, to arrive at local pharmacies before getting that shot too. The post notes flu season is starting early this year and stresses vaccination as children have returned to school.

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.

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.

The Chester County Health Department in Pennsylvania is warning residents of possible measles exposure at several pharmacies in the county. Officials are alerting anyone who may have visited the affected locations to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms such as fever and rash. The advisory has drawn attention locally as health authorities work to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus.

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.

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.

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.

Boots, one of Britain's biggest high-street pharmacy and beauty chains, has been taken over by a new owner, and the BBC sets out three ways the change could affect customers. The report looks at what the sale could mean for prices, loyalty schemes and the future of stores, at a time when UK retail is under pressure. Readers are weighing up whether the takeover will bring investment or cuts.

A second UK health body has ended its relationship with Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva following pressure from pro-Palestinian campaigners. The Royal College of Pharmacy is reported to be the latest organisation to cut ties, after activists targeted firms linked to Israel over the war in Gaza. The move adds to a wider pattern of institutions reviewing partnerships with Israeli companies amid sustained campaign pressure.

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.

New legislation has been introduced in the United States to delay implementation of a rebate model under the 340B drug pricing program, which the bill's backers say would protect patient access to affordable medicine. The 340B program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounted medications to safety-net providers, and proposed rebate-based payment changes have drawn concern from hospitals and clinics that fear disruption to their pharmacies and higher costs for vulnerable patients.

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.

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.

Canada's Weston family, one of the country's wealthiest business dynasties, has agreed to buy UK high-street chemist chain Boots in a deal valued at $8.9bn. The acquisition hands the pharmacy retailer to new owners and is being closely watched as a signal of confidence in British retail.

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.

Utah has moved to allow artificial intelligence to help renew patients' prescription drugs, becoming one of the first US states to formalise AI's role in the medication refill process. The change could speed up refills and reduce paperwork for clinics and pharmacies, though details on oversight, patient safety safeguards and which medications qualify remain unclear.

The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled against a pharmacy owner in a case involving a woman who suffered belladonna poisoning after being given a 'pink cocktail' prepared at a pharmacy. The ruling allows the woman's claims over the dangerous mixture to move forward against the owner. Details of the court's reasoning and any damages have not been widely reported yet.

CVS Health is reminding New Yorkers that MMR vaccines are available at its locations across the state as a measles outbreak raises public health concerns. The company is encouraging residents to check their immunization status and get vaccinated, positioning its pharmacy network as a key point of access during the outbreak response.