Chain Drug Review articles from February 2008

Chain Drug Review archives from February 2008

Dollar General lures Dreiling.(News)(Dollar General Corp. appoints Rick Dreiling)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Rick Dreiling, who stepped down as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Duane Reade Inc. to head up Dollar General Corp., "ranks among the retail industry's outstanding executives," says...

Walgreens, Taylor part ways.(News)(Trent Taylor resigns from Walgreen Co.)
February 4, 2008... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- After what appears to have been a dispute over its management succession plan, Walgreen Co. has severed ties with Trent Taylor, who had been president of the company's Walgreens Health Services (WHS) unit. The news of...

What moves the customer.(News)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Every retailer faces the challenge of understanding why it loses some customers and of trying to improve the shopping experience that it offers. Since 2004 the Jay Baker Retailing Initiative at the Wharton School of Business...

HHS report spotlights Part D margin squeeze.(News)(Department of Health and Human Services)
February 4, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The "dangerously thin margins" that community pharmacies have complained they are encountering as a result of Medicare Part D have been confirmed in a report by the Health and Human Services Department's office of the inspector...

Duane Reade vows to build on its gains.(News)(Duane Reade Inc.)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- The new chief executive officer of Duane Reade Inc. will head a thriving drug chain, say company executives. The retailer is searching for a CEO following the departure of Rick Dreiling last month to take...

Walgreens, El Amal ink deal.(News)(Walgreen Co. and Farmacias El Amal)
February 4, 2008... SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A decision by Farmacias El Amal to convert its stores to clinics offering holistic pharmacy services has opened the door for Walgreen Co. to strengthen its position in this island's drug store market. In a deal...

Levin will not run for governor.(News)(Alan Levin not anxious to get back to politics after selling Happy Harry's Inc. to Walgreen Co.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... WILMINGTON, Del. -- Alan Levin., who left chain drug retailing two years ago when he sold the Happy Harry's chain to Walgreen Co., has opted not to run for governor of Delaware. Levin, who toyed with a career in politics before taking over...

Pharmacy wins round in dispute over AWP.(News)(federal court has rejected proposed settlements to cut average wholesale price )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... BOSTON -- A federal court has rejected proposed settlements by First DataBank and Medi-Span to cut average wholesale price (AWP) to 120% of wholesale acquisition cost and to eventually stop publishing AWP, a prescription drug pricing benchmark....

Rx groups ask states for input.(News)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is among 90 pharmacy and medical organizations that have sent letters to state Medicaid directors seeking more guidance on compliance with the federal requirement for...

Congress O.K.'s Tricare bill.(News)(Congress. House)
February 4, 2008... WASHINGTON -- When the Senate passed a national defense spending bill last month, it moved one step closer to preserving military families' access to community pharmacies, the National Association of Chain Drugs Stores says. By a 91-3...

NACDS names Bell a senior vice president.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores promotes Don Bell)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has promoted vice president of legal affairs and general counsel Don Bell to senior vice president of legal affairs and general counsel. He oversees...

NACDS gears up for its 75th.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Harvey and Andrea Rosenthal, Sherry and Jerry Heller. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cork Walgreen, Steve Anderson. On the eve of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 75th anniversary, the association...

CHPA backs FDA ruling on pediatric cold remedies.(Supplier News)(Consumer Healthcare Products Association supports Food and Drug Administration decision against using over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children)
February 4, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is supporting a recent Food and Drug Administration decision against using oral over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children under age 2. "These medicines, which...

P&G 'breakthrough' in hair color debuts.(Supplier News)(Procter & Gamble Co.)
February 4, 2008... STAMFORD, Conn. -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is introducing what is billed as the biggest home hair color innovation in more than 50 years. Perfect 10 by Nice 'n Easy, launching in March, is described as an advanced, high-performance...

Alliance to promote CaloMist.(Supplier News)(Fleming Pharmaceuticals' marketing agreement with Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... ST. LOUIS -- Fleming Pharmaceuticals has established a strategic alliance with Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals Inc. to expand the sales reach of Fleming's new CaloMist (cyanocobalamin), the first and only FDA-approved, once-daily vitamin [B.sub.12]...

A first for Maybelline New York.(Supplier News)(Schering-Plough Corp. Maybelline U.S.A. launches "foolproof" line of mineral makeup)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Maybelline New York is launching a complete, "foolproof" line of mineral makeup. The Mineral Power line encompasses a start-to-finish beauty regimen, including liquid foundation, power foundation with signature Kabuki brush, liquid...

Nutrition 21 receives honor.(Supplier News)(Nutrition 21 Inc. receives gold medal for growth in midsize companies)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Nutrition 21 Inc. has won the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) 2007 gold medal for growth in midsize companies. The journal receives numerous nominations, which are reviewed by its staff, editorial advisory board and New...

Men get new options in skin care.(Supplier News)(Beiersdorf Inc. launches a number of new Nivea products for men)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Beiersdorf Inc. continues to bring innovation to the skin care category with the launch of a number of new Nivea products for men. Both Nivea for Men Cool Body Wash and Energy Body Wash are specially formulated to cleanse and...

At Coutu, losses in the U.S. offset gains in Canada.(Business)(Jean Coutu Group Inc.)
February 4, 2008... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Although its core Canadian operations rang up a solid performance, losses stemming from its stake in Rite Aid Corp. triggered a steep bottom-line downturn at the Jean Coutu Group during the second quarter of fiscal 2008....

Increases in sales are paced by Rx.(Business)(sales of Jean Coutu Group Inc.)(Financial report)
February 4, 2008... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Systemwide retail sales for the Jean Coutu Group's Canadian franchise network rose 6.8% during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to $809.4 million (Canadian). The retail sales gain was a reflection of a 9.8% gain in...

Supervalu net up 24.8% despite 4.2% top-line decline.(Business)(SUPERVALU Inc.)(Financial report)
February 4, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu Inc. booked double-digit increases in net income for both the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2008, despite comparisons against a prior-year quarter that included an additional week's contribution from...

A&P posts big jump in profits from ongoing operations.(Business)(Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc.)(Financial report)
February 4, 2008... MONTVALE, N.J. -- Buoyed by a gain on the sale of its remaining interest in Canada's Metro Inc., A&P saw income from ongoing lines more than double during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Factoring out various special items in both years, the...

Pathmark integration is on.(Business)(Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc. moves forward with its assimilation of the newly acquired Pathmark Stores Inc.)
February 4, 2008... MONTVALE, N.J. -- As A&P quickly moves forward with its assimilation of the newly acquired Pathmark Stores Inc. (which will retain its banner), one area that got immediate attention was the integration of the companies' in-store pharmacy...

Fiscal '08 projections trimmed.(Business)(sales and earnings of SUPERVALU Inc.)(Financial report)
February 4, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- With same-store sales growth continuing to prove elusive in the third quarter, Supervalu Inc. reduced its full-year earnings guidance for fiscal 2008 and was immediately punished with a drop of more than 16% in the value of its...

Bush proposes measures to get economy back on track.(Business)(George W. Bush)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... WASHINGTON -- President Bush has called for up to $150 billion in tax relief to stimulate spending and lift the economy out of its doldrums. The stimulus package must equal about 1% of the gross domestic product to be effective, the...

Industry giants recall those halcyon days.(My Turn)(Industry overview)
February 4, 2008... Chain drug retailing's elite gathered at the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., for three days last month to kick off the 75th anniversary of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. No, not the current elite, but the very special...

In-store health clinics are part of the solution.(My Turn)
February 4, 2008... The Massachusetts Public Health Council voted last month to amend state regulations to allow the opening of in-store health clinics. For people involved in community pharmacy, the decision came as no surprise, following similar action in a...

Dr. Fresh offers dual-brush pack.(What's New)(Dr. Fresh Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dr. Fresh Inc. has begun marketing two of its FireFly toothbrushes in a single package and selling the pair for a suggested retail price of $1.99. The FireFly toothbrush is one of the best-selling children's...

Dr. Katz hires PR agency for TheraBreath.(What's New)(Dr Harold Katz LLC's contracts with Pierce Matti Public Relations Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Dr. Harold Katz LLC has chosen the public relations agency Pierce Mattie Public Relations to help promote its TheraBreath line of oral rinses. In a campaign that kicked off last month, Pierce Mattie is working to raise the awareness of...

Remedent inks deal to offer a new PL line.(What's New)(Remedent Inc)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Belgian oral care supplier Remedent Inc., which recently began marketing its products in the United States, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement to provide an unnamed Netherlands-based distributor with a private label oral care kit...

Better oral care results in better health: drug chains are leveraging their heritage to produce robust gains.(ORAL CARE)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- The oral care category continues to be a solid front-end performer for chain drug retailers. The combination of a steady flow of new products--many of them at higher margins-and sharp merchandising by drug chains has led the...

Breath fresheners turn toward the high end.(ORAL CARE)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Although sales of breath sprays and drops have been flat over the past year, the growing demand for premium products bodes well for the breath fresheners category. "Similar to hair care and skin care, the premium fresh breath...

Brushing is serious business.(ORAL CARE)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Oral care experts and dental professionals say that, sadly, most people don't brush their teeth properly. "Odd as it sounds, most people are no good at brushing their teeth," Dr. Paul Warren, a dentist and vice president of...

New niche creates opportunities.(ORAL CARE)(Violight Inc.'s VIOlight UV sanitizer)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- The growing realization that washing a toothbrush with hot water is not enough to rid it of bacteria has given rise to a new segment: toothbrush sanitizers. In a category that many admit is in dire need of innovation, the...

Power brushes reach a plateau.(ORAL CARE)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- As the difference in the pace of an entry-level power toothbrush and a high-end manual brush has become about the same in recent years, a growing number of consumers have opted for power models. Recent data from Information...

Dentifrices can do it all.(ORAL CARE)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers' steadily increasing emphasis on health and beauty care is paying off in toothpaste sales in oral care aisles. Dollar sales growth of toothpaste is much stronger in the drug channel (7.8%) than across the...

Children get special assistance.(ORAL CARE)(Dr. Fresh Inc. launches flavored toothpaste for kids)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Getting children to brush their teeth has long been a challenge for concerned parents, and the leading suppliers are doing their best to make the task a bit less daunting. Using products that are fun as well as hygienic makes it...

Web stores offering Sante active lineup.(ORAL CARE)(Sante active Inc. secures distribution deals with drugstore.com Inc., CVS Corp. and Amazon.com Inc.)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- A few months after announcing its plans to begin marketing its Elgydium toothpastes and toothbrushes in the United States, Sante active Inc. has secured its initial distribution deals. The company, a U.S. subsidiary of the...

Consumers respond to innovation in tooth whiteners.(ORAL CARE)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Proving yet again that innovation is the key driver in the oral care category, the whitening segment has been revived with the launch of a number of technologically advanced items. According to Information Resources Inc. (IRI),...

Consumers turn to drug stores for oral pain relief: the recommendations of pharmacists often play a role in product selection.(ORAL CARE)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Oral pain is difficult to ignore; thus products to treat canker sores, toothaches and other painful conditions of the mouth are strong sellers in chain drug stores. Data from Information Resources Inc. (IRI) show that the...

Mouthwash use on the rise.(ORAL CARE)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- Already among the most-utilized personal care products on the market, mouthwashes and oral rinses continue to grow in popularity. The segment rose 9.5% in the drug class of trade in 2007, according to Information Resources Inc....

Children can be 'dental inventors'.(ORAL CARE)(Dr. Fresh Inc. gives children an opportunity to design their toothbrushes)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... BUENA PARK, Calif. -- Dr. Fresh Inc. is giving children across the country the chance to design their ideal toothbrush. Through its second annual toothbrush design contest--dubbed "Be a Dental Inventor"--the marketer of the popular FireFly...

Flossing now less of a chore.(ORAL CARE)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- While floss is purchased by 32% of American households, only 13% of consumers say they actually use it every day. "If only consumers knew the impact flossing could have on their well-being, I believe they would be more diligent...

Choices multiply in photoprocessing.(PHOTOGRAPHY)(Noritsu America Corp.'s launches photo printing unit at Consumer Electronic Show )
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- With digital photography taking hold across the country, retailers are turning to new processing systems and unique services that let consumers do more with their digital images. Suppliers of these systems are keeping pace with...

A new retail model takes shape: record numbers of consumers are turning to drug stores to print pictures.(PHOTOGRAPHY)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- While continued declines in the sale of film and film-based products drag down the photo category in drug stores, retailers are transitioning their businesses to take full advantage of the digital side of the market. They say...

Digital cameras keep getting better even as prices decline.(PHOTOGRAPHY)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- While there is still a significant market for film cameras, the digital revolution is in full swing and cameras with advanced technology are starting to appear at mass market prices. Once found only on digital cameras at the...

Advanced beauty systems grows.(Beauty Watch)(Dr. Teal's from Advanced Beauty Systems is positioned as a therapeutic bath brand)
February 4, 2008... Dr. Teal's from Advanced Beauty Systems is positioned as a therapeutic bath brand that will relieve aches and pains, soothe the senses and promote emotional well-being. The brand offers upscale products at an affordable price point with over 7%...

Innovation drives Alberto-Culver.(Beauty Watch)(Alberto-Culver Co.)
February 4, 2008... Alberto-Culver Co. remains a leader in the hair care category by consistently launching new and innovative products. The company's Nexxus brand has greeted 2008 with several new items: * Sublime Volume Conditioner delivers up to a 15%...

Coria knows healthy skin is beautiful skin.(Beauty Watch)(Coria Laboratories Ltd.)
February 4, 2008... Coria Laboratories Ltd. specializes in providing both prescription and nonprescription products to dermatologists and chain drug stores to help treat a variety of skin disorders. Coria products specifically aid in treating acne, atopic...

Naterra combines quality, value.(Beauty Watch)(Naterra International Inc.)
February 4, 2008... Once known as Superior Product Co., Naterra International Inc. changed its name a dozen years ago but it has not changed its reputation. The company, executives are quick to point out, is still a manufacturer and marketer of superior...

Pacific World keeps consumers coming back.(Beauty Watch)(Pacific World Corp.)
February 4, 2008... When retailers working in the beauty care arena consider artificial nail care, it is likely that their first thought of which supplier can bring the most to the segment is Pacific World Corp. According to executive vice president of sales...

J.R. Watkins rides natural wave.(Beauty Watch)(Watkins Inc. (Winona, Minnesota))
February 4, 2008... Having been in business for nearly 140 years, Watkins Inc. knows more than most suppliers about the manufacturing and marketing of natural personal care products. This year the company is taking that expertise one step further with the...

Zeno puts the heat on blemishes.(Beauty Watch)(Zeno Computer Products Inc)(Company overview)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While ache has forever bedeviled teenagers and others, technological advances are making real headway in the battle against this most common of skin care diseases. In 2004 Zeno Corp. (then known as Tyrell Inc.)...

Peterson is named Wrigley innovation chief.(What's New)(Rob Peterson appointed in Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. as a chief innovation officer )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. chief innovation officer Surinder Kumar will retire on July 1. He will be succeeded by Rob Peterson, who had been vice president of new products and packaging. Peterson has been part of the Wrigley innovation team since...

Consumers respond to My Coke Rewards.(What's New)(Coca-Cola Co. (Atlanta, Georgia's My Coke Rewards )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Membership in Coca-Cola Co.'s My Coke Rewards online mega-rewards program has more than doubled in the past year. With 8.7 million users, My Coke Rewards has become the second most popular consumer packaged goods web site on the Internet,...

A mainstay even in tough economic times: convenience is chain drug stores' trump card in food and beverages.(CONSUMABLES)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- With mounting apprehensiveness over the economy threatening spending on nonessential items, consumables are assuming more importance in the drug store mix than ever, say retailers and suppliers. "Indulgences and products for...

Good nutrition is always top of mind.(CONSUMABLES)
February 4, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Virtually every food and beverage company is enhancing nutritional choices, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association's (GMA's) new "Industry Report on Health and Wellness." Based on a survey of 49 suppliers with...

Access finalizes deal.(RX: RETAIL PHARMACY)(ACCESS Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s acquisition deal with Somanta Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Access Pharmaceuticals Inc. has completed its acquisition of Somanta Pharmaceuticals Inc. The transaction provides Access with four additional anticancer therapies in its robust product pipeline. The agreement was completed following the...

Teva, UCB team up.(RX: RETAIL PHARMACY)(Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s marketing agreement with UCB S.A.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and UCB have agreed to jointly promote the former's respiratory medicines in the United States. Terms of the pact were not disclosed. ProAir HFA, an inhalation aerosol, will be the initial product sold in the...

The discovery of genes may lead to new therapies.(News)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The recent discovery of seven new cholesterol genes could one day provide targets for future drugs. Researchers identified the genes in an international study involving about 20,000 participants. The analysis was conducted in collaboration with...

Pfizer deal.(News)(Pfizer Inc. signs licensing deal with Scil Technology GmbH )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Pfizer Inc. has signed a licensing deal with Scil Technology GmbH to help develop the Germany-based company's osteoarthritis treatment. Scil's cartilage-specific growth factor, CD-Rap, is aimed at regenerating tissue for treating the...

WuXi purchase.(News)(Wuxi PharmaTech Ltd. acquires AppTec)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... WuXi PharmaTech is acquiring U.S.-based AppTec Laboratory Services in a bid to gain new expertise and expand market share in the life sciences sector. WuXi is China's largest pharmaceutical research outsourcing company.

Sales suspended.(News)(NitroMed Inc. suspends efforts to market and sell Bidil)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... NitroMed Inc. is suspending efforts to market and sell BiDil, billed as the first drug approved for use in a specific racial group. The product entered the market in 2005 as a congestive heart failure treatment for AfricanAmericans, but...

Strong prospects.(News)(shares of Aetna Inc. and WellPoint Inc. are best positioned to perform well )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Shares of Aetna and WellPoint Inc. are best positioned to perform well among all health insurers, says UBS Investment Research. It believes most of their competitors will experience minimal change.

Online dangers.(News)(risks of online health information services)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Internet searches for health information pose a risk of leading to faulty medical decisions, warns the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. It notes web sites often contain biased information.

Gorman is appointed president of Neurocrine.(Newsmakers)(Kevin Gorman of Neurocrine Biosciences Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Kevin Gorman has been named president and chief executive officer of Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. He was also named to the board of the San Diego-based biopharmaceutical firm. The 50-year-old Gorman became chief operating officer in September.

Linda McGoldrick.(Newsmakers)(appointments in Drug Information Association)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Linda McGoldrick has been chosen worldwide executive director of the Drug Information Association. She is the first woman to hold that position.

Christine Fischette.(Newsmakers)(appointments in Enzo Therapeutics Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Christine Fischette has been named president of Enzo Therapeutics. She previously held executive positions with such pharmaceutical manufacturers as Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Pfizer Inc.

Sally Susman.(Newsmakers)(Pfizer Inc.'s chief communications officer)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Sally Susman has been selected senior vice president of worldwide communications at Pfizer Inc. She also serves as chief communications officer.

James Kramer.(Newsmakers)(BioReliance Corp.'s vice president )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... James Kramer has joined BioReliance Corp. as vice president of operations for United States biologics. BioReliance is a contract services company to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.

Steven Sembler.(Newsmakers)(Roche Biomedical Laboratories Inc.'s new vice president )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Steven Sembler has been appointed vice president of commercial operations at Roche Laboratories Inc. He will oversee U.S. marketing and sales.

Emmet Keeffe.(Newsmakers)(Romark Laboratories's new vice president )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Emmet Keeffe has become vice president and chief medical officer at Romark Laboratories LC. Romark is a privately held biotechnology company.

Heather Morel.(Newsmakers )(McKesson Corp.'s general manager )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Heather Morel has been designated vice president and general manager of specialty reimbursement and access services at McKesson Corp. Morel, an industry veteran, will also focus on patient assistance programs.

Puerto Rico to lose Bristol-Myers Plant.(RX RETAIL PHARMACY)(Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. to close its factory in the city of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. has indicated that it will close a plant in the city of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, adding to pharmaceutical industry cutbacks in the United States island territory. The pharmaceutical...

'Now Is the time for EHRs'.(Focus)(Electronic health records)
February 4, 2008... LONDON -- Electronic health records (EHRs) will be the cornerstone of health care technology and become critical to the modernization of the health care system, says a report by Datamonitor. It concludes that the design, selection and...

Aetna aims to empower patients.(RX RETAIL PHARMACY)(Aetna Inc.)
February 4, 2008... HARTFORD -- Aetna has made its personal health record (PHR) initiative available to all Aetna Individual Advantage members in the 24 states (and Washington, D.C.) where such plans are sold. The company adds that the records will be incorporated...

Study says lower co-pays mean better adherence.(RX/News)(co-payments )
February 4, 2008... PHILADELPHIA -- Removing economic barriers to treatment for chronic conditions encourages patients to remain on recommended therapies, according to the January/February 2008 issue of Health Affairs. The study, funded in part by...

What investors look for.(RX/News)
February 4, 2008... NEW YORK -- The credit crunch may have taken the wind out of private equity, but investors are still doing deals in the drug business by buying low-risk companies with stable cash flows, according to Richard Merli, managing editor of KPMG LLP's...

Giant to offer Rx labels, information in Spanish.(RX/News)(Giant Food Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food Inc. is now including Spanish-language prescription labels and information in all of its pharmacies. The service is being provided as a convenience to customers who prefer receiving...

Psoriasis drug in works.(RX RETAIL PHARMACY: Branded Drugs)(Synvista Therapeutics Inc. plans to develop ALT-2074)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Synvista Therapeutics Inc. has announced that it plans to develop ALT-2074 as a possible treatment for psoriasis. Synvista has licensed the novel medication from Oxis International Inc.

WelChol gets FDA O.K.(RX RETAIL PHARMACY: Branded Drugs)(Food and Drug Administration approves WelChol tablets )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has approved WelChol tablets as an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise for improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Nycomed wins approval to sell treatment for asthma.(RXs)(Nycomed A/S's alvesco gets approval )(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Alvesco, an inhalation aerosol, has been approved for the maintenance and prophylactic treatment of asthma in patients age 12 and older. Swiss-based Nycomed is in negotiations with potential partners to commercialize the product in the United...

Cholesterol drug.(RXs)(Genzyme Corp.'s contracts with Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... Genzyme Corp. has agreed to pay a minimum of $325 million to Isis Pharmaceuticals for mipomersen. The cholesterol drug is in the final stages of clinical trials for the treatment of a genetic disease that leads to extremely high cholesterol...

Tysabri use.(RXs)(Elan Corp. and Biogen Idec)
February 4, 2008... Biogen Idec and Elan Corp. have won approval for an expanded use of Tysabri. The multiple sclerosis drug has now been indicated for additional use for treating Crohn's disease. Tysabri was temporarily withdrawn in 2003 amid cases of brain...