Scottsdale, Ariz. – Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance & president, Walgreen Co., today delivered his inaugural remarks as the chairman of the Board of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). He described his enthusiasm for helping to build on NACDS’ legacy of leadership on issues of importance to customers.

“The theme for today, and moving forward is the customer – understanding the customer’s needs and meeting them,” Gourlay said. “The whole association of NACDS is going to be based on that theme moving forward, in meeting the healthcare challenges that [former NACDS Chairman] Martin Otto described, and in advancing the Future Value Targeting initiative that [NACDS President and CEO] Steve Anderson described earlier during this meeting.

“Through the Future Value Targeting initiative, we are looking to lead the industry in a proactive and positive way, at a time when we have so much to offer,” Gourlay said.

“We have to tell our story. It is an important way to build trust…And, of course, we have to do more. With our collective power and wisdom we can do more. We need to tell our story and improve our story.”

Gourlay described shifting dynamics in the political environment, in retail and in healthcare. Specifically, he noted changing trends in fulfillment, demographics, shopper behavior, wellness and personalization.

To address these dynamics, Gourlay emphasized the importance of building trust and improving efficiency to better meet the needs of customers. “Building trust is absolutely essential in this marketplace,” he said. “Also, we have to improve efficiency in this marketplace.”

To pursue those goals, he described the importance of putting customers first in three areas. He discussed healthcare affordability and price transparency. He noted opportunities to foster convenience by maximizing efficiency and experience through retailers’ partnerships with suppliers and wholesalers, technological solutions such as e-prescribing, and new pharmacy services. Gourlay concluded by recognizing corporate social responsibility efforts already underway by NACDS chain and associate members alike, which can form the basis for further efforts to commit to the communities the industry serves.

Regarding corporate social responsibility, Gourlay said: “We have to tell our story. It is an important way [ READ MORE ]

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today announced new strategies to collaborate for health, wellness and societal solutions as part of the “constant reinvention” of NACDS.

The NACDS “Future Value Targeting” initiative – which stands to benefit NACDS chain and associate members, diverse collaborators, and society – emerged as a central theme of remarks at an NACDS Annual Meeting business program. NACDS Chairman Martin Otto, H-E-B’s chief merchant and chief financial officer, who reflected on his one-year term as chairman, and NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, described the initiative.

NACDS Chairman Martin Otto of H-E-B reviewed the progress and outlook for pharmacy’s leadership on addressing health dilemmas and societal issues

“It has meant a lot to me personally to be able to discuss the need for comprehensive, end-to-end review of the healthcare delivery system, and to work with the NACDS Board of Directors and membership to position pharmacy as a major part of the solution to many challenges facing the nation,” Otto said.

“It is vital to pursue a more sustainable approach to healthcare delivery in ways that will make it possible to also address pressing issues in education, poverty, nutrition and more. From the existing and new issues that NACDS is advancing, to the collaboration that we are pursuing with other stakeholders, NACDS continues to make tremendous progress to affirm and advance pharmacy’s leadership role on a host of critical issues.”

Anderson described ways that NACDS is poised to help address these topics.

“NACDS Future Value Targeting is a strategic planning element that will supplement the already vitally important NACDS Strategic Plan. NACDS is intensely focused on doing the right things now to deliver return-on-investment for members into the future. We are focused on assessing this operating environment, and acting like a start-up and like a think-tank to do things in new ways to deliver for this amazing industry,” Anderson said.

“The conversations of the NACDS Board of Directors kept coming back to this: ‘how can we find additional common ground, with existing and new partners, to create immediate and long-term breakthroughs – for our businesses, for [ READ MORE ]

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Annual Meeting will present renowned speakers with unsurpassed experience in the nation’s global security and international trade engagement.

Retired Four-Star Marine General John Allen, who has served in pivotal leadership roles related to the Middle East and Asia, will speak at the Business Program on Sunday, April 23. Richard W. Fisher, who served as president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2005 to 2015, will speak at the Business Program on Tuesday, April 25.

“General Allen and Richard Fisher helped to write the history that now serves as prologue for current events and for the future of the nation and of the world,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Their remarks will give NACDS Annual Meeting attendees an unsurpassed geopolitical radar for the international and domestic dynamics that are developing right now. When you think about the nation’s relationships with the Middle East, Asia and other parts of the world, these are the people we need to hear from.”

“General Allen and Richard Fisher helped to write the history that now serves as prologue for current events and for the future of the nation and of the world.”

General Allen was appointed by President Obama as the first-ever special envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. He also has served as deputy director of U.S. Central Command, and as the principal director of Asian and Pacific affairs for the Office of the Secretary Defense. On the ground, his leadership has shaped war efforts and outcomes, such as through successful efforts to persuade Sunni tribal leaders in Iraq to stand against al-Qaeda militants.

Fisher served as a member of the Federal Open Market Committee, as chairman of the Conference of Federal Reserve Bank Presidents, and as chairman of the IT Oversight Committee. Previously, he served as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative with the rank of Ambassador, responsible for U.S. trade policy and negotiations in Asia, Latin America, Mexico and Canada. He also served as vice chairman of the strategic advisory firm Kissinger McLarty Associates, in partnership with former Secretary [ READ MORE ]