Chain Drug Review articles from February 2004

Chain Drug Review archives from February 2004

NACDS, Express Scripts to offer Rx discount card.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Medicare discount drug card)
February 2, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- In a watershed for relations between drug chains and pharmacy benefits management companies (PBMs), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and Express Scripts Inc. have joined to seek government approval for a Medicare...

Pharmacy battles rage on in Maine.
February 2, 2004... AUGUSTA, Me. -- After choosing last month not to participate in Maine's new discount prescription plan, the largest drug chains in the state are gearing up to deal with possible Medicaid rate cuts. At presstime state officials had agreed to...

Standley is new CFO at Rite Aid.(John Standley)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has appointed John Standley chief financial officer. He will also continue to serve as senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the drug chain. Standley had been chief financial...

Two more retailers nix mandatory mail.(CVS Corp., Kerr Drug, pharmacy benefit plans through mailorder)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- CVS Corp. and Kerr Drug have joined the ranks of drug chains that say they will no longer join pharmacy benefits plans that force patients to get their prescriptions for maintenance drugs exclusively through mail order. In...

Walgreens seizing opportunities.(Company Profile)
February 2, 2004... CHICAGO -- As it continues to spread its reach across America, Walgreen Co. is seeing the fruits of its labor, executives said at the drug chain's annual shareholders meeting here last month. "I am much happier to be standing up here this...

U.S. health care spending tops the $1.5 trillion mark.
February 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Spending on health care has increased for the sixth consecutive year, driven primarily by rising costs for prescription drugs, home health care services, hospitalization and physician programs. Total spending reached $1.55...

McKesson strengthens relationship with Rite Aid.(to continue to provide the drug chain with pharmaceutical distribution services)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has selected McKesson Corp. to continue to provide the drug chain with pharmaceutical distribution services. Specialty drugs and repackaging programs are part of the five-year agreement. Financial terms...

Congress asks chains for Medicaid records.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Two congressional committee leaders have asked five of the largest retail pharmacy chains to provide them with documents related to pharmaceutical reimbursements and rebates under Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance...

Hansen Longs VP, real estate.(Timothy Hansen has joined Longs Drug Stores as vice president of real estate)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Timothy Hansen has joined Longs Drug Stores as vice president of real estate. He will report to chairman and chief executive officer Warren Bryant. Hansen will be responsible for all of the retailer's real estate...

CMS lowers Part B drug payments.(US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare Part B)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reduced its payments to pharmacies for Medicare Part B prescriptions to average wholesale price (AWP) minus 15%. The change, enacted as part of the Medicare reform...

Holmer to step down as president of PhRMA.(Alan Holmer, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Alan Holmer, president and chief executive officer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) since 1996, will retire from the trade association upon the selection of a successor later this year. "I...

CVS exec to serve on FASAC committee.(CVS executive VP/chief financial officer/chief administrative officer David Rickard, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. has announced that David Rickard, executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer, has been appointed to the steering committee of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory...

It's all good news at Rite Aid; Moody's upgrades ratings.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Moody's Investors Service has upgraded its ratings on Rite Aid Corp. debt, citing expectations for a continuing turnaround at the chain as well as the retailer's initial success in securing long-term funding. Moody's raised...

Rx students may get help with tuition.(pharmacy students)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A new congressional bill to help with pharmacy student loans, scholarships and faculty shortages is winning praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. House Resolution 3591, the Pharmacy Education Aid Act,...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
February 2, 2004... A chart on the best sellers in the laxative tablet category and the accompanying text that appeared in the January 5 issue of Chain Drug Review misidentified the manufacturer of Dulcolax; the chart also misidentifled the maker of Colace....

Kodak to stop selling reloadable film cameras.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Marking a turning point in the move to filmless digital technology, Eastman Kodak Co. has announced that it will stop selling reloadable, film-based consumer cameras in the United States, Canada and Europe by the end of this...

Gillette shaving system ups ante: 'fueling the value of glory.'.(Supplier News)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Gillette Co. will introduce a battery-powered vibrating razor this spring, billing it as "the world's best shaving system." Reaching shelves in May, the M3Power promises to combine breakthrough blade and razor technologies with...

Abbott strengthens diabetes care offer.(Supplier News)(Abbott Laboratories)(TheraSense Inc.)
February 2, 2004... ABBOTT PARK, Ill. -- Abbott Laboratories has agreed to acquire blood-glucose monitor supplier TheraSense Inc. for $1.2 billion. The combination will broaden Abbott's presence in the diabetes market. Abbott, which entered the...

Beiersdorf restaging Nivea Visage line.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NORWALK, Conn. -- Beiersdorf Inc.'s Nivea Visage brand is about to undergo a makeover. The company is poised to reintroduce the skin care treatment collection with an extended line of 14 Visage products, including four new items. The...

Unilever taps Manwani for major post.(Supplier News)(Harish Manwani to succeed Charles Strauss as president of its North American home and personal care business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer products suppliers, with annual sales of approximately $47 billion, has announced that Harish Manwani will succeed Charles Strauss as president of its North American home and personal...

Lee heads Rayovac North America.(Supplier News)(Lester Lee named president)
February 2, 2004... MADISON, Wis. -- Rayovac Corp. has named Lester Lee president of its North American business unit. Lee will be responsible for all commercial activities of the combined Rayovac and Remington business across North America (Rayovac acquired...

Henkel augments U.S. presence with two buys.(Supplier News)(Henkel Group has acquired Dial Corp. and Advanced Research Laboratories)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Two major acquisitions recently made by the Henkel Group are expected to significantly enhance its position in the United States. In mid-December the German consumer products company announced the acquisition of Scottsdale,...

Black joins Puig team.(Supplier News)(Puig North American Beauty appointed Greg Black senior marketing manager for Puig Fragrances & Personal Care, North America)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Puig North American Beauty has appointed Greg Black senior marketing manager for Puig Fragrances & Personal Care, North America. Black will report to senior vice president of sales and marketing Vince Colonna. In his new...

Jean Coutu earnings rise 5.5% despite weak U.S. dollar.(Business)
February 2, 2004... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Overcoming the revenue-draining effects of the devalued U.S. dollar, Jean Coutu Group Inc. managed to post a single-digit rise in earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, as its operations on both sides of the border...

A&P loss from continuing operations more than doubles.(Business)
February 2, 2004... MONTVALE, N.J. -- While asset disposals helped A&P reduce red ink at the bottom line during the third quarter, the company's deficit from continuing operations more than doubled due to a big impairment charge. Results for the 12 weeks...

New CEO sharpens Boots' competitive edge.(My Turn)(Richard Baker)
February 2, 2004... The news out of the United Kingdom last month that Boots, Europe's largest drug chain, would lay off some 900 people at its headquarters in Nottingham affected different people in different ways. It was of some interest to observers of Boots in...

Pharmacy Care Alliance is a risk worth taking.(My Turn)
February 2, 2004... During a conference call announcing the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' decision to team up with Express Scripts Inc. to develop a drug discount card for Medicare beneficiaries, NACDS president and chief executive officer Craig...

Aladdin Fragrances.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)(profile of company)(Company Profile)
February 2, 2004... Northern Group/Aladdin Fragrances, a Hicksville, N.Y.-based company, has brought several scents with a strong department store heritage into the mass market in recent years, including Realm. "While some of these products, such as Realm,...

American International Industries.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)(profile of company and its products)(Company Profile)
February 2, 2004... With a rich history in the beauty care market, American International Industries (All) continues to roll out products in a wide range of category segments. Most recently, the company debuted several hair-removal devices under the...

Canus Vermont.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)(profile of company and its products)(Company Profile)
February 2, 2004... Canus Vermont LLC enjoyed a banner year in 2003, with a substantial increase in its popular goat's milk offerings. The major launch was "L'il Goat's Milk," a children's collection that includes soap, lotion, a combination tearless...

Colonial Dames.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)
February 2, 2004... With nearly 120 years of business under its belt, Colonial Dames Co. Ltd. has proven that it belongs on a list of the premier companies offering niche beauty products. The niche filled by Colonial Dames, its president Kort Pearson...

Kiss My Face.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)(company profile)(Company Profile)
February 2, 2004... Kiss My Face is the brainchild of two longtime vegetarians, Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz, who were searching for healthful body care products. The company was founded on a 200-acre organic farm in New York's beautiful Hudson River...

The color workshop.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)(Markwins International Corp.)
February 2, 2004... Markwins International Corp. expects a combination of sales growth initiatives, operational efficiencies and productivity gains to drive sales up substantially in 2004. Key growth drivers include new product innovation across all...

Jonel.(Innovators In Niche Beauty 2004)(profile of Markwin International Corp.'s nail care products)
February 2, 2004... The retail nail care category in the mass market was down 4.6% in 2003, but Markwins International Corp. intends to do its part and more to change that with the launch of the long-awaited Jonel brand restage, offering hot new products and...

U.S. Cotton.
February 2, 2004... U.S. Cotton LLC, which manufactures a full line of branded and private label cotton products, has a clear-cut mission: to be the No. I company for health and beauty aid cotton products in the Americas. When the supplier acquired American...

Intros: separating the wheat from the chaff.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Innovative technology has always helped grow the oral care category in chain drug stores. But although product debuts are always welcome, an inundation of introductions poses a conundrum for suppliers and retailers, who have to...

Albertsons reaches out to children.(Oral Care)(joining with the Oregon Dental Association and Children First for Oregon to promote Give Kids a Smile Day)
February 2, 2004... PORTLAND, Ore. -- Albertsons Inc. has joined forces with the Oregon Dental Association and Children First for Oregon to promote Give Kids a Smile Day. The event, slated for February 6, is designed to offer free dental services and education to...

Stats tell the story in oral hygiene.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Dollar sales of toothpaste in the drug, supermarket and discount store trade classes (excluding Wal-Mart Stores Inc.) slipped 3.5% in 2003 to about $1.22 billion, according to Information Resources Inc. It reports that unit sales...

Retailers are cashing in on tooth whiteners.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- The at-home tooth whitener segment continues to drive growth in the oral care category as new products and innovations make the segment more affordable and more convenient, according to Dave Janowicz, a category manager at...

Small players can pack a big wallop.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- As much as the oral care category is dominated by huge suppliers, chain drug retailers are finding success with niche products from small players. Examples include the Aquasonic Waterjet Oral Care System and Popsicle Toothbrush...

CVS teams oral, beauty.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Oral care products can fit in the beauty category as well as the health care arena. That is evident from co-promotions undertaken by CVS Corp. and Glamour magazine over the course of the past year. As part of a longstanding...

The early bird always seems to catch worm.(Oral Care)(Listerine PocketPaks)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Being first to market pays off for a long time. That is evident from Listerine PocketPaks' continued dominance of the portable oral care (breath strip) category. The Pfizer Consumer Healthcare brand commanded almost half of...

A perfect fit for private label.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers are finding that private label is a means for driving incremental sales in their oral care selections while offering customers affordable price points for quality products that match well against the brands. CVS...

Whitening Wand wins kudos.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Den-Mat Corp.'s Rembrandt Whitening Wand was voted one of last year's top 10 home health care products by Dental Products Report, a professional journal. Said to apply as easily as lipstick, the device works when one...

Three-step approach covers all.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Because brushing alone can remove only about half of all plaque, Sunstar Butler believes that a three-step approach is the best strategy that can be followed by consumers toward attaining optimal oral care, says John Hennessy, vice...

P&G expands presence in oral care with floss.(Oral Care)(Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G), already a major force in the oral care business with its Crest brand, is now offering a floss product for the first time. The expansion carne last fall with the company's acquisition of the Glide line...

Protecting surface enamel a new frontier.(Oral Care)
February 2, 2004... PRINCETON, N.J. -- While more than one-third of Americans view their smile as their most important characteristic, dentists say their patients are not doing enough to protect those smiles. A recent survey sponsored by Church & Dwight Co.'s...

CDC: more older adults retaining natural teeth.(Oral Care)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... ATLANTA -- A 2003 year-end report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that the percentage of older adults who have their natural teeth has increased steadily over the last several decades. Although rates vary widely,...

Children's products a bright spot.(Oral Care)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Children's oral care has helped chain drug retailers offset stagnant sales in other aspects of the oral care category. Zooth Inc. demonstrates how innovation can help a relatively small company not only compete against...

Too much of a good thing is a good problem. (beverages).(Consumables News)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- There's no doubt about it: It's not your father's beverage business any more. For drug chains the days of stocking the same old soft drinks, some juice and a few other items are long gone. Today, as beverages continue to drive...

Red Bull is about to be challenged.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK-- Red Bull GmbH continues to dominate the energy drink segment of the beverage category with an eye-opening 50% share of the market held by its 8-ounce Red Bull drink, but world-class competition may be on the way. Industry...

Chains have what it takes to grow category. (beverages).(Consumables News)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- More than ever, the major beverage manufacturers are targeting drug chains as a growth area for a wide variety of products--everything from traditional carbonated soft drinks and the segment's numerous line extensions to new brands...

Bottled water: how much more room for growth?(Consumables News)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- As bottled water sales continue to surge, chain drug retailers are wondering how long the phenomenon will last and whether heavy volume and increasing price competition will lead to eroding profit margins. Rite Aid Corp....

Today's buzzword: low-carb. (low carbohydrate foods).(Consumables News)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Yes, Virginia, people still eat potato chips, chew gum and buy candy. But more and more they are insisting that their snack food items have fewer and fewer carbohydrates. As Laurie Mauragas, a category manager at Happy Harry's...

Wrigley will add international lines. (after signing agreement with Agrolimen).(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. has signed an agreement with Agrolimen, a privately held Spanish food conglomerate, to purchase the confectionery businesses of Agrolimen's Joyco Group in China, France, Italy, Poland and Spain. Wrigleys will also buy...

Next Proteins debuts Zanzibar. (low carbohydrate nutritional bar).(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Next Proteins has announced a new entry in the fast-growing low-carbohydrate nutritional bar category. The company will launch Zanzibar, an 88-gram high-protein breakfast bar featuring whey protein, a natural dietary protein with high...

No-carb green tea hits the market. (Arizona No Carb Green Tea from Arizona Beverages).(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Arizona Beverages has introduced Arizona No Carb Green Tea to address the demand of consumers for low-carbohydrate diets. As part of the product introduction Arizona is offering an on-package promotion giving consumers a chance to order the...

'Treat Yourself Light' from Coke. (diet beverage permanent merchandising display).(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Coca-Cola Co. is offering retailers a new permanent merchandising installation to feature diet beverages. The "Treat Yourself Light" display is targeted for incremental placement outside the beverage aisle and features changeable fabric...

Walgreens taps four senior VPs, seven divisional VPs.
February 2, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. has promoted 11 executives, elevating four of them to senior vice president and seven to divisional vice president. John Gleeson, Dana Green, Dennis O'Dell and Gregory Wasson have become senior v-ice...

Editorial calendar.(Calendar)
February 2, 2004... ISSUE INSERT DATE EDITORIAL FEATURES CLOSING INDUSTRY EVENTS Jan. 5 CDR Retailer of the Dec. 9, '03 CES, Jan. 8-11, Year * H&BA Report, Las Vegas...

Coutu exec to retire.(Yvon Bechard to retire from Jean Coutu Group)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Yvon Bechard, a member of the Jean Coutu Group's board of directors and senior executive vice president and assistant corporate secretary, has announced plans to retire. Bechard has been with the drug store franchiser...

Walgreens sets new DC in the South.(unveiled plans to build distribution center in Anderson County, South Carolina)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. unveiled plans last month to build a distribution center in Anderson County, South Carolina. Construction of the 700,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin this summer, a spokesman for the drug chain...

Cost of Medicare drug benefit soars.(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is acknowledging that adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare will cost $134 billion more than the White House anticipated when the president signed the measure in early December. The new estimate...

Happy Harry's rejects mandatory mail plans.(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... NEWARK, Del. -- Happy Harry's Inc. has become the latest in the growing number of drug chains that say they will not participate in prescription plans that force their members to get maintenance medications exclusively through the mail. ...

Rx moves to 'help control its destiny'.
February 16, 2004... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Community pharmacy's creation of a drug discount card with Express Scripts Inc. gives it a proactive role in the forthcoming Medicare prescription benefit rollout. That was the message of retail leaders at the National...

Penney's plans to divest Eckerd are still on track.(J.C. Penney Co)
February 16, 2004... PLANO, Texas -- Late last month J.C. Penney Co. reported that talks with several groups interested in acquiring the Eckerd Corp. drug chain were progressing well and that the talks could be concluded soon. In fact, at presstime some held...

Katz Group strengthens exec ranks.(Katz Group North America)(executive)
February 16, 2004... EDMONTON, Alberta -- Katz Group North America continues to build a strong executive team in both Canada and the United States. The chain drug store operator has appointed Dave Schwartz president of Snyder's Drug Stores, which is...

Fotiades appointed Cardinal president.(Cardinal Health Inc)(George Fotiades)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Cardinal Health Inc. has promoted George Fotiades to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. Fotiades has been president and chief executive of Cardinal's Life Sciences business since 2000. He...

Maine Medicaid cuts spur Rite Aid to reduce hours.(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Just days after Maine Gov. John Baldacci laid out plans to cut the reimbursement rate on Medicare prescriptions Rite Aid Corp. announced that it would reduce the hours of operation at nine of its pharmacies in the state. ...

California regs draw fire from Walgreens.
February 16, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. has urged California lawmakers to back a measure that would restore the state's workers' compensation reimbursement rate to what the drug chain deems to be an acceptable level. If no action is taken by early...

Big guns promote e-scripts.(McKesson Corp)(SureScripts Systems)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- SureScripts and McKesson Corp. have teamed up in an effort to increase the number of physicians that electronically send prescriptions to pharmacies. Under terms of the agreement SureScripts' Messenger Services, the...

Pharmacy Care Alliance seeks CMS endorsement.(Express Scripts Inc.)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Pharmacy Care Alliance Inc. has sought the federal government's endorsement for its prescription drug discount card program. In submitting an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) late...

Stormy December hurts results at Duane Reade.(sales)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade has cut its fourth quarter and full-year earnings and sales guidance for fiscal 2003, saying weather conditions in December kept customers out of its outlets and delayed store openings. The drug chain also notes...

Michigan bills asks that Rx consumers have a choice.
February 16, 2004... LANSING, Mich. -- A five-bill package designed in part to give consumers a choice about where they can purchase prescription drugs has been introduced here as the Consumer Prescription Protection Act (CPPA). The proposal in the Michigan...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
February 16, 2004... The supplier of Patent-LEAN was misidentified in a chart on sales of weight-control candy/tablets that appeared in the January 5 issue of Chain Drug Review. The company is PatentHEALTH. A chart on sales of weight control--meal replacements...

Klein to guide transformation of IRI.(Supplier News)(Information Resources Inc)(Scott Klein)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... CHICAGO -- Information Resources Inc. (IRI) has named Scott Klein president and chief executive officer. With chairman Romesh Wadhwani, Klein will be a member of the office of the chairman. Before joining IRI Klein was president of the...

Revlon credit agreement amended.(Supplier News)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- Revlon Inc. has obtained an amendment to its credit agreement, providing the company with more time to meet its growth plan. The amendment represents essentially a one-year extension of the waiver it received last year on...

Almay Clear Complexion fights, hides blemishes.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- Blemishes affect adults as well as teenagers, and Revlon Inc.'s Almay subsidiary has launched a product that both heals and conceals unsightly blemishes. Almay Clear Complexion blemish healing makeup and concealer was...

Health Care Logistics has solution.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio -- Health Care Logistics Inc. (HCL) offers medical professionals a variety of products to assist them in complying with the proposed Food and Drug Administration rule aimed at curbing medication errors. The rule calls for...

P&G receives license for Wella hair care lines.(Supplier News)(Procter & Gamble Co)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble International Operations, a wholly owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G), has signed a five-year, worldwide agreement to license Wella AG's retail hair care brands. Under the agreement P&G will market the...

L'Oreal names Fondu Maybelline president.(Supplier News)(Karen Fondu)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- L'Oreal USA has appointed Karen Fondu president of its Maybelline New York-Gamier U.S. division. Fondu previously held the position of general manager of the cosmetics and beauty care supplier. "Karen has been a major...

Russ Berrie to add Mr. Meow plush toy to offerings.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... OAKLAND, N.J. -- Russ Barrie and Co. is introducing a plush version of the feline star of the Meow Mix cat food commercials on television. The new toy--Mr. Meow--will debut this spring as part of a licensing agreement between Russ Berrie...

Drugstore.com reaches milestone.(Business)
February 16, 2004... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- While posting its first-ever EBITDA-positive quarter, drugstore.com slashed its bottom-line loss for fiscal 2003. The online retailer reported an $18.6 million net loss for the 12 months ended December 28, down 63% from...

Cardinal earnings up modestly in qtr.(Business)(Cardinal Health Inc)
February 16, 2004... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Cardinal Health Inc.--which typically churns out double-digit earnings growth -- recorded an unusually slight bottom-line gain during the three months ended December 31, as substantial profit increases in three of its smaller...