Chain Drug Review articles from July 2005

Chain Drug Review archives from July 2005

Rite Aid gets seniors ready for Medicare Rx benefit.(Rite Aid Corp. partners with Aetna inc. and Coventry Health Care Inc.)
July 4, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. is joining forces with Coventry Health Care Inc. and Aetna to help seniors understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit that goes into effect in January. Starting this fall the retailer will work with...

Marketplace reflects shifts in industry.(Marketplace)
July 4, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Chain drug stores are increasingly valued as much for their convenient locations as for their health care expertise, and some over-the-counter medications are going back behind the counter. Those are two of the industry...

America Covers America campaign is underway.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... WASHINGTON -- President Bush says that those who sign up for the Medicare drug benefit that takes effect January 1 will save an average of $1,300 a year. "For the first time in Medicare's history there will be a stop-loss, a kind of...

Governors speak out on Medicaid.(National Governors' Association)
July 4, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The National Governors Association (NGA) believes that Medicaid should be entitled to bigger discounts from drug manufacturers and pharmacies and that the program should expand its use of generic medications. The NGA has also...

Walgreens to quadruple the size of WHS division.(Walgreens Health Services )(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- As pharmacy continues to play an increasingly important role in its business, Walgreen Co. is seeking to expand one of its key divisions. Last month the company announced that it would quadruple the size of Walgreens...

MinuteClinics up, running at 3 CVS units.(CVS Corp. partners with minuteclinics)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- The first three MinuteClinics in CVS Corp. drug stores debuted last month. Two of the facilities are in Minneapolis, and one is in Annapolis, Md. In April CVS announced that it had reached an agreement in which...

Wal-Mart's Segrave joins Cardinal.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Frank Segrave resigns)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... DUBLIN, Ohio -- After nearly two decades at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Frank Segrave is leaving the company to join Cardinal Health Inc. The discount store operator's former vice president of pharmacy will later this month become vice president...

CVS agrees to settle shareholders' lawsuit.
July 4, 2005... BOSTON -- CVS Corp. has agreed to pay $110 million to settle charges that it made misleading statements about the condition of its business in 2001. The drug chain filed the proposed settlement in U.S. District Court here. Shareholders...

Konviser, a senior VP at SDM, dies.(Arthur Konviser )(Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)(Obituary)
July 4, 2005... NORTH YORK, Ontario -- Arthur Konviser, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM), died June 21 in New York City, where he was being treated for a rare form of cancer. A native of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in...

Rite Aid buys five-store chain.(Rite Aid Corp acquires Shelly's Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has announced the acquisition of the five-store Shelly's Pharmacy in Philadelphia. Two of the stores will be kept open, while the pharmacy files of the other three have been transferred to the closest Rite...

Walgreens is under fire for racial discrimination.
July 4, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Eleven current or former black Walgreen Co. employees have sued the chain on grounds of discrimination. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Ill., contends that the company has a "pervasive policy"...

DrugMax gets into weight control.
July 4, 2005... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- DrugMax Inc. is offering weight-management services at its pharmacies under an agreement with Medifast Inc. A weight-loss and weight-management company, Medifast will open its Hi-Energy Weight Loss Centers within DrugMax'...

Rite Aid efforts give back to community.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp.'s annual executive car wash raised an estimated $90,000 to $100,000 for Penn State Children's Hospital through the Children's Miracle Network. At the car wash, which took place last month, Rite Aid president...

CVS offers a first with disposable video camera.
July 4, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. has begun selling the industry's first single-use digital video camera. Developed by San Francisco-based Pure Digital Technologies Inc., the video cameras carry a $29.99 price point. They are capable of taking...

Longs O.K.'s buyback of more shares.(Longs Drug Stores Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores has authorized the repurchase of up to $150 million of outstanding common stock during the period extending through May 2008. The repurchase will be made in open-market transactions or through periodic...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
July 4, 2005... A chart on the best-selling hair sprays/spritzes that appeared in the May 23 issue of Chain Drug Review presented an incomplete picture of the top brands by unit sales. The correct ranking appears below. HAIR SPRAY/SPRITZ Unit Sales...

P&G makes broad-based executive changes.(Procter & Gamble Co. promotes Virginia Drosos)
July 4, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Virginia Drosos has been promoted to vice president and general manager of global cosmetics at Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G). Drosos, who will be based in Hunt Valley, Md., is credited with restaging the Olay brand and guiding...

Front Row DVD honors Armstrong.(Front Row Entertainment has introduces a dvd which consists of spectacular moments from the life of Lance Armstrong)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... EDISON, N.J. -- Front Row Entertainment has introduced Big Six, a DVD of lance Armstrong's greatest moments from the Tour de France. "The DVD salutes the remarkable career of Lance Armstrong, and the two-hour Collector's Edition project...

Purdue puts Senokot name on wheat bran product.(Purdue Products LP)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... STAMFORD, Conn. -- Purdue Products LP has launched Senokot Brand wheat bran, a fiber supplement made with 100% natural wheat bran. The product is available in three flavors--orange, orange flavor sugar-free and flavor-free sugar-free....

Novartis taps Gibson as team leader.(appiontment of frank gibson as team leader)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Frank Gibson has joined Novartis Consumer Health Inc. as vice president of its Walgreens team. In his new role Gibson is developing a multifunctional team dedicated to chain drug industry leader Walgreen Co. Established...

Amino Vital line grows with two sports bars.(Ajinomoto USA Inc)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- The nutraceuticals division of Ajinomoto USA Inc. has added two new sports bars to its Amino Vital line of supplements. Like the company's Amino Vital ready-to-drink and powder formats, the bars are formulated with a combination...

SanDisc takes digital mainstream.(Supplier News)(SanDisc Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... SUNNYDALE, Calif. -- SanDisc Corp. has added a 32-megabyte Cruzer Mini USB 2.0 flash drive to its Shoot & Store line of low-cost flash storage products. "USB flash drives are essential for transporting personal computer data files, image...

RSI opens in Chicago, Bentonville.(Supplier News)(Retail Solutions Inc)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... LINCOLN, R.I. -- Retail Solutions Inc. (RSI) has opened branch offices in Bentonville, Ark., and Chicago. The company, which provides demand data management services and solutions, has positioned the new offices to enhance its service to...

Albertsons misses target, cuts guidance for fiscal year.(Business)
July 4, 2005... BOISE, Idaho -- Sales from its recently acquired chains and comparison against a strike-affected prior-year period lifted third quarter net income at Albertsons Inc., but results still fell short of analysts' expectations. Management, moreover,...

Earnings off 14.5% in qtr. at Cardinal.(Business)
July 4, 2005... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Although its core drug distribution segment saw a return to earnings growth, problems in other businesses and the impact of special items triggered a double-digit decline in earnings at Cardinal Health Inc. during the three...

Chain drug stocks reach record.(Business)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Chain drug stocks rose to an all-time high in May. The performance is an indication of Wall Street's continuing optimistic outlook for the industry. From April 29 to May 31 Chain Drug Review' s stock index, which tracks the...

Niche suppliers deserve a better, harder look.(My Turn)(Idelle Labs)(Helen of Troy)
July 4, 2005... Idelle Labs is a division of Helen of Troy, the $600 million, El Paso-based marketer of branded consumer products. Formed two years ago, Idelle, which now owns such brand name products as Brut, Vitalis, Sea Breeze, Skin Milk and Final Net, will...

Rite Aid takes a big step forward in patient care.(My Turn)(Rite Aid Corp)
July 4, 2005... Rite Aid Corp. has assumed a leading role in unlocking the promise of the medication therapy management (MTM) provisions contained in the Medicare reform legislation enacted in 2003 and, in the process, is bringing retail pharmacy closer to the...

Staying young remains a major focus in our culture, as demonstrated by the variety of antiaging skin care products.(Buzz at the show)(Spa Sciences Inc)(Neutrogena Corp)(Physicians Formula Inc)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Staying young remains a major focus in our culture, as demonstrated by the variety of antiaging skin care products on display at this year's NACDS Marketplace Conference. Booths popular with retailers featured the latest in skin care...

Another beauty powerhouse making an impact at the show was Markwins International Corp.(Buzz at the show)(Soho Cosmetics)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Another beauty powerhouse making an impact at the show was Markwins International Corp. The company is poised to launch an extensive Wet 'n' Wild skin care line in August. Markwins is also revamping its recently acquired Soho Cosmetics...

Del Laboratories Inc. continues to expand its popular Sally Hansen brand beyond nails.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Del Laboratories Inc. continues to expand its popular Sally Hansen brand beyond nails. The brand's Healing Beauty Sun showcased two Airbrush Sun self-tanning products at the show: Airbrush Sun for Face and Airbrush Sun for Body. The formula...

Smaller players in beauty also made their presence felt at Marketplace.(BUZZ at the show)(Pantina Cosmetics Inc)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Smaller players in beauty also made their presence felt at Marketplace. Pantina Cosmetics Inc. drew attention from retailers with a number of portable, multiuse items. The company displayed a fall 2005 prepack featuring a stylish Eyeshadow Duo...

Women's Day honors year's top intros, chains.(Marketplace)
July 4, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- The Woman's Day Best in Beauty & Health Awards were presented at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace Conference here last month. Sponsored by Woman's Day magazine, NACDS and Chain Drug Review, the...

Rx, photo checkouts have potential.(Marketplace)(Prescription)
July 4, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Chain drug retailers should consider putting candy and magazines at their pharmacy and photo counters, according to a study presented at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace show here. The idea is to...

Teenagers took center stage at the Bonne Bell Co. and Lotta Luv booths.(Buzz at the show)(Lotta Luv)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Teenagers took center stage at the Bonne Bell Co. and Lotta Luv booths. Bonne Bell extended its popular Liquid Lip Smacker line with Skittles Liquid Lip as well as introducing Smackers Party Packs, billed as offering "a rainbow of colors in one...

On the health care front, Imak Products Corp. offered two new ergonomic products at the show.(Buzz at the show)(Imak Products Corp)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... On the health care front, Imak Products Corp. offered two new ergonomic products at the show. The ShoulderSaver includes a pouch filled with tiny, smooth plastic beads ("ergobeads") to relieve shoulder pain while one carries heavy bags. The...

Retailers also flocked to the Paglieri Mugnos USA booth to check out Fructodent Gourmet Toothpaste.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Retailers also flocked to the Paglieri Mugnos USA booth to check out Fructodent Gourmet Toothpaste, a fresh, unique line of natural-flavor items along with a highly decorative and colorful stand-up dispenser.

Technology is also taking on a greater role in health care.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Technology is also taking on a greater role in health care. Home Diagnostics Inc. placed the spotlight on Sidekick, an all-in-one blood glucose-testing system that combines a vial of 50 test strips with what the company calls the world's...

Similarly, Sein Electronics Co. showcased BGP-100, a two-in-one blood glucose- and blood pressure-monitoring system.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Similarly, Sein Electronics Co. showcased BGP-100, a two-in-one blood glucose- and blood pressure-monitoring system. It requires only a small sample of blood and supplies complete blood glucose testing in as few as five seconds. Test results...

Lake Consumers Products Inc. launched Beyond Fresh Intimates, billed as the first product in its category specifically designed for women's intimate cleansing.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Lake Consumers Products Inc. launched Beyond Fresh Intimates, billed as the first product in its category specifically designed for women's intimate cleansing. The wash is one of a trio of products in the eponymous line and can be found in...

Dyna Tabs LLC.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Dyna Tabs LLC debuted a collection of vitamin and herbal supplements in fast-dissolving tablet form. The line includes several varieties of tabs, including a vitamin C booster, a memory enhancer with ginko biloba and a ginseng-based product,...

In the consumables arena it is clear that the low-carb trend so evident at last year's show has faded away.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... In the consumables arena it is clear that the low-carb trend so evident at last year's show has faded away. Being thin remains as much of a goal for Americans as looking young, however, and suppliers continue to address that desire with...

A number of smaller companies seeking their own niches in the beverage category also got some attention at the show.(Buzzat the show)(NFI Consumer Products)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... A number of smaller companies seeking their own niches in the beverage category also got some attention at the show. NFI Consumer Products introduced Energy Fizz citrus flavor, an effervescent energy drink mix. A beverage called Defense from...

One of the trends evident among general merchandise booths at Marketplace is the growing impact digital cameras are having on the mass retail photofinishing business.(BUZZ at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... One of the trends evident among general merchandise booths at Marketplace is the growing impact digital cameras are having on the mass retail photofinishing business. Noritsu America Corp., attending the show for the first time, showed off its...

Active International.(Buzz at the show)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Active International also used technology to grab the attention of show attendees. The company, which specializes in bartering arrangements that help companies recover the value of their underperforming assets, relied on a chatty robot to...

Best items in showcase are honored.(Marketplace)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores selected the best products in 11 categories at its Marketplace Conference here last month. The 2005 product showcase winners were: * Baby care: Novartis/Gerber Products Co.'s...

Energizer makes pact with Techtium.(Batteries News)(Techtium Ltd)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Energizer Holdings Inc. has signed a joint cooperation agreement with Israeli supplier Techtium Ltd. to develop and market batteries for portable devices. "Together we can quickly integrate power solutions for today's and tomorrow's...

Girl collects batteries for military forces.(Batteries News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... A 12-year-old Lancaster, Calif., girl is spearheading a drive to collect 1 million AA batteries for United States forces serving overseas. The batteries being collected by Lizzy Lulu will be included as part of "Operation Gratitude," a...

Upgrades for Maglite debut.(Batteries News)(TerraLUX Inc)(Maglite Flashlight)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... TerraLUX Inc. has introduced upgrade kits for Mag Instruments Inc.'s Maglite that reportedly make the flashlight the world's brightest LED (light-emitting device). The TerraLUX LED Light Engines are being offered in three versions. The...

TDK acquires battery company.(Batteries Newstries)(Amperex Technology Ltd)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... TDK Corp. has acquired Amperex Technology Ltd., a Hong Kong-based maker of polymer lithium batteries, for about $100 million. The gain of Amperex, which makes batteries for mobile phones and other portable devices, marks TDK's entry into...

Two battery makers plan to raise prices.(Batteries News)(Gillette Co.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Gillette Co.'s Duracell division and Energizer Holdings Inc. are getting ready to raise the prices on their alkaline and other batteries later this summer. Saying the price hikes are due to the increasing costs of the raw materials needed...

New flashlight eliminates the need for bakeries.(Batteries News)(Applied Innovative Technologies)(NightStar magnetic flashlight)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Applied Innovative Technologies has introduced the NightStar, an LED flashlight that does not require batteries, bulbs or maintenance. To operate the flashlight, one needs to shake it for 30 seconds, after which it will provide up to 30...

Advanced batteries mean stronger, longer-lasting products.(Batteries)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Few categories in the drug store mix rely more on advances in technology than do batteries. With each generation of electronic devices requiring more power than the preceding one, battery makers have had to continuously create...

Continued strong growth a given.(Batteries)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- The ongoing development in the consumer electronics arena is fueling a corresponding demand for batteries, helping keep sales activity brisk over the past few years. For drug stores, the battery category remains one of the most...

Merchandising tactics get tweaked.(Batteries)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Batteries have become one of the most important product areas in chain drug stores' front-end mix. Besides offering the opportunity for impulse purchases, the category has helped establish the trade class as an outlet for...

New multi-charger can do it all at once.(Batteries)(Juice MultiCharger)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... SHARON, Pa. -- Winner International Inc. has developed a battery recharger that is said to eliminate the need for multiple charging systems. Called the Juice MultiCharger, the unit took more than two years to develop, Winner executives...

Duracell gets going to get its message out loud and clear.(Batteries)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... BETHEL, Conn. -- After using a radio and print advertising campaign earlier this year to alert consumers to the difference between heavy-duty zinc batteries and alkalines, Gillette Co.'s Duracell division is taking its message to television....

Scientists set stage for batteries of the future.(Batteries)(INI Power Systems)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Researchers at the University of Illinois have created what they say could be a long-life and replenishable alkaline fuel cell. However, scientists note that a lot of work remains before such fuel cells are sold...

Barbecue sauce launched by French's Foods.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Cattlemen's barbecue sauce has been rolled out by French's Foods, a division of Reckitt Benekiser. The sauce is available in three flavors--Classic, Golden Honey and Authentic Smoke House--in 18-ounce bottles. French's is supporting the...

Busch celebrates 50th anniversary.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Anheuser-Busch Inc. is marking the golden anniversary of the launch of Busch Bavarian beer with commemorative cans and bottles through August. Bavarian was dropped from the name in 1979. "We think our beer drinkers will really like the...

Natural snacks launched by LesserEvil.(Consumables News)(LesserEvil Snack Co)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... All-natural gourmet kettle corn snacks have been introduced by LesserEvil Snack Co. The snacks are lightly sweetened with brown rice syrup and evaporated cane juice. The line comprises four varieties: slightly sweet, slightly salty KettleCorn...

Water company reports growth.(Consumables News)(Energy Multi-Vitamin Enhanced Water Corp)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Energy Multi-Vitamin Enhanced Water Corp. is growing rapidly in the enhanced water category. Distribution of the company's water--launched in New York City last year--has been expanded to 20 states and is projected to grow to 40 states by the...

IRI extends agreements with food companies.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Seven food companies have renewed business relationships with Information Resources Inc. (IRI) with multiyear deals. They are: American Dairy Brands, B&G Foods Inc., Birds Eye Foods, Dairy Management Inc., Interstate Bakeries Corp., Pabst...

Fuze launches diet green tea.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Fuze Beverage LLC has extended its line of infused teas with Fuze diet orange ginger green tea. The beverage has no calories or carbohydrates and is said to have an antioxidant capacity equal to three servings of vegetables. The tea contains no...

'The options keep on expanding'.(Consumables)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Befitting their growing appeal as food and beverage destinations, drug chains are offering increasingly varied selections of consumables. Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy, for example, provides Goya products for Hispanic shoppers, the...

Fast-turn consumables 'add up to new model'.
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers are increasingly seeking high-velocity products, says Duane Reade Inc. chairman, president and chief executive officer Tony Cuti, "and they're finding them with consumables." Cuti notes that convenience...

Carbonated beverages get the attention needed.(Consumables)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- As the No. 1 consumables category in mass and one of the top three in the drug channel, carbonated beverages are a powerful enticement for consumers. However, with research from Information Resources Inc. indicating that sales...

Whole grains take over where carbs leave off.(Consumables)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Low carbs are out. Whole grains are in. The death knell for low-carbohydrate diets was sounded in the spring when the Department of Agriculture issued the new "MyPyramid" nutrition guidelines. The recommendations favor...

Consumers more aware than ever.(Consumables)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Americans are buying more nutritious food than ever before, according to a Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) consumer survey. In a poll of shoppers 73% reported that they were buying more healthful food and beverages...

Wrigley launches seven new items.(Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. is launching items under the Orbit, Juicy Fruit, Eclipse and Hubba Bubba brands. Orbit gum will be extended with "sweetmint" and "citrusmint" flavors, while Orbit White will be extended with "bubble-mint." Eclipse mints...

Coca-Cola announces Fresca makeover.(Coca-Cola Co. Coca-Cola North America )(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Coca-Cola North America will give Fresca a fresh, contemporary look, including a new logo and packaging graphics and line extensions. Two new flavors, sparkling peach citrus and sparkling black cherry citrus, will be rolled out as zero-calorie...

Sweet and sour candy rollout.(Cadbury Adams USA L.L.C. introduces new type of candies)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Cadbury Adams USA LLC has launched Sour Patch Connectors, candies that can be pulled, twisted and connected for sour and sweet tastes. Each pack includes a variety of sour and sweet flavors, which allows for more than 28 different combinations....

Energy drink introduced in two states.(Xtazy Beverage Company Ltd has introduced energy drinks)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Guarana-based Xtazy energy drink has been launched in California and New York by Xtazy Beverage Company Ltd. The beverage--with vitamins, herbs, taurine and natural guarana-derived caffeine--"takes energy drinks to the next level," says Xtazy...

Chocolate maker revamps offerings.(Chocolaterie Guylian introduces 3 new candy bars and is marketing them)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Chocolaterie Guylian, the Belgian chocolate manufacturer, has introduced new products, merchandising and promotions designed to help expand its position as a year-round brand. "This year we are focused on building our brand and increasing...

Studies: PL stands up to the national brands.(Consumables)
July 4, 2005... NEW YORK -- Most Americans prefer private label food and beverages to those of national brands, two recent taste tests have found. In 10 locations nationwide double-blind tests conducted for the Private Label Manufacturers Association...

Hottest table wines are identified by IRI.(Information Resources Inc.)
July 4, 2005... CHICAGO -- The first annual "Top 25 Table Wine Trendsetters" has been released by Information Resources Inc. (IRI). The list ranks wine brands that showed significant growth in drug stores and supermarkets in the year ended March 20. ...

Rite Aid touts 1-hour digital photo service.(Rite Aid Corp. partners with Pure Digital Technologies Inc)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. and Pure Digital Technologies Inc. have teamed up to offer one-hour online ordering of digital photos and a disposable digital camera. The drug chain will begin offering the service and cameras in 800...

SDM set to build its brands bigger.(Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)
July 4, 2005... TORONTO -- Expanding into new categories will be a priority as Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) goes forward, chairman and chief executive officer Glenn Murphy said at the company's recent annual shareholders meeting here. At the heart of those...

Sammons maps plans for Rite Aid.(Mary Sammons)
July 25, 2005... HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. plans to open 800 to 1,000 new or relocated drug stores over the next five years, president and chief executive officer Mary Sammons told shareholders at the company's annual meeting here last month. The...

Rite Aid's de Bruin joins Medicaid commission.(Mark de Bruin named to Medicaid Advisory Commission)
July 25, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Mark de Bruin, senior vice president of pharmacy services at Rite Aid Corp., has been named to the federal government's Medicaid Advisory Commission. DeBruin, who is also policy council chairman at the National Association of...

Canada to restrict bulk drug exports.
July 25, 2005... OTTAWA -- Canada's federal government plans to pass legislation that would allow it to prohibit bulk exports of prescription drugs when adequate supplies for Canadian residents are threatened. The proposed measures were announced by federal...

Walgreens is calm in face of Rx strike.(National Pharmacists Association)
July 25, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- No new talks were scheduled at press-time in the strike by about 1,000 Walgreen Co. pharmacists at 400 stores in and around Chicago. The strikers, members of the National Pharmacists Association (NPhA), walked out...

Fuller talks up benefits of generics.(Craig Fuller)
July 25, 2005... WASHINGTON -- By encouraging increased use of generic drugs, pharmacies can save Medicaid "billions of dollars," Craig Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, recently testified before a...

Take Care clinics to debut in 10 Portland Rite Aid units.
July 25, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has become the latest pharmacy chain to launch in-store clinics. The retailer has partnered with Take Care Health Systems LLC to open Take Care Health Centers in 10 Rite Aid stores in greater Portland,...