Hallmark is bringing music from some of the most popular country artists — including Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan — into the greeting card aisle with CMA Sounds Cards.

The use of homeopathic medicines as part of a self-care solution to treat such ailments as the common cold or back pain is becoming more commonplace through conventional channels, with sales generating $392.9 million, up 3.3%, as compared to $58.1 million on 0.9% growth in natural channels for the 52 weeks ended July 10.

As health insurers continue to work closer with retailers to improve access to patient care, UnitedHealthcare is among a handful of companies at the forefront of this increasingly collaborative approach.

As critics of the Affordable Care Act continue to grumble about how the law has adversely affected much of the nation’s healthcare system, consultant and Foundation for Health Smart Consumers fellow Mike Tarino said that giving people more control over how their healthcare dollars are spent could help quiet the critics and put what many see as a failing reform plan back on track.

Successfully offering consumer-centric health care requires a multi-pronged approach that meets the needs of a wide variety of customer groups, Aetna senior director of consumer initiatives Christina Speck stressed at the recent Retail Health Summit.

Panel of managed care executives, anchored by Walmart VP health and wellness transformation Marcus Osborne, share how their companies are expanding their reach and making healthcare delivery more convenient and efficient at a one-day thought leadership event co-hosted by Drug Store News and Mack Elevation Forum in mid-June in Bentonville, Ark.