Looking ahead into fiscal 2020, the company still expects roughly flat growth in adjusted earnings per share at constant currency rates, with a range of plus or minus 3%.
Retail Pharmacy USA had sales growth of 1.6% as comparable-store sales increased by the same percentage. Pharmacy sales grew by 2.9% reflecting higher brand inflation and prescription volume, as well as strong growth in the central specialty. Comparable pharmacy sales increased by 2.5% and prescriptions filled in comparable stores increased by 2.8%.
Retail sales declined by 2.2%. Comparable retail sales were down 0.5% in the quarter, mostly due to continued de-emphasis of tobacco. Excluding tobacco and e-cigarettes, comparable retail sales increased around 0.8%, reflecting solid growth in the core health and wellness and beauty categories.
Retail Pharmacy International dropped by 5.4% reflecting an adverse currency impact of 2.7%. Sales decreased 2.7% on a constant currency basis, mainly due to lower retail sales in Boots UK and lower sales in Chile, reflecting social unrest.
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In Retail Pharmacy International, comparable pharmacy sales rose 0.6% on a constant currency basis, primarily due to the UK, driven by higher National Health Service (NHS) reimbursement and increased sales of services. Comparable retail sales declined by 3% on a constant currency basis, with Boots UK holding a share in a declining market.
Pharmaceutical Wholesale had first-quarter sales growth of 5.2% from the year-ago quarter, including an adverse currency impact of 3%. On a constant currency basis, comparable sales increased 8.3%, led by emerging markets and the UK, including a customer contract change in the UK.
The company remained on track to deliver in excess of $1.8 billion in annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 under the transformational cost management program. The company and McKesson agreed to create a German joint venture, combining their wholesale operations to drive long term value in a key European market. Walgreens and Kroger expanded their collaboration with a new joint venture aimed at delivering cost savings and other benefits across owned brand sourcing.