Chain Drug Review articles from March 2006

Chain Drug Review archives from March 2006

Medicare Rx plan creates headaches.
March 13, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Restrictions and requirements posed by insurers are limiting the number of drugs that were theoretically covered by the Medicare drug benefit, complain pharmacists and physicians. "It is impossible for pharmacies to keep track...

Generics user fees loom on the horizon.
March 13, 2006... BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) will benefit consumers more than the implementation of a user fee system, according to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA). ...

Katz Canada names Jeffery COO.(Warren Jeffery)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... TORONTO -- Katz Group Canada Ltd. has announced the appointment of Warren Jeffery as chief operating officer and Brian McLaughlin as executive vice president of human resources and corporate relations. Jeffery is former executive vice...

Mail order may not be less costly after all.
March 13, 2006... WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. -- A study released last month suggests that filling prescriptions by mail may actually be more costly for insurers than having those same medications dispensed at community pharmacies. The research done by Winkelman...

Wal-Mart now proactive on health care.
March 13, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. chief executive officer Lee Scott told a meeting of the National Governors Association here last month that it is essential for government and business to work together to fix America's failing health care...

Simon is taking over Rx, specialty unit at Wal-Mart.(Bill Simon at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. )(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. this month named Bill Simon executive vice president of the company's specialty division, including pharmacy. Simon will also have responsibility for the retailer's photo, optical, connection...

NACDS study questions Medicare policy shift.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)
March 13, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A study done for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores by the research firm Health Policy R&D suggests that Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes may be adversely affected ff blood glucose monitors and related testing...

Fitch lowers Rite Aid's debt rating.(News)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Fitch Ratings Ltd. has downgraded Rite Aid Corp.'s senior unsecured debt, saying note holders would likely recover a below-average portion of their investment if the drug chain were to default. Fitch lowered Rite Aid's...

Walgreens grows health care reach.(News)(Walgreens Home Care Inc. to acquire Canadian Valley Medical Solutions Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens Home Care Inc. has agreed to acquire Canadian Valley (CV) Medical Solutions Inc., a provider of home infusion therapy, customized mobility and seating products, home medical equipment and respiratory services,...

Medicine Shoppe taps Lewis as VP of finance.(News)(Medicine Shoppe International Inc. hires Brian Lewis)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International Inc. (MSI) has named Brian Lewis vice president of finance. Lewis will be responsible for the financial functions of both of MSI's franchise pharmacy systems --Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies and...

Harper joins Longs board.(News)(Lisa Harper on board of Longs Drug Stores Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Lisa Harper, chairman and chief creative officer of Gymboree Corp., has been elected to Longs Drug Stores' board of directors. Harper joined Gymboree in January 1999 as vice president of design and has served as...

Coutu divests Eckerd headquarters.(News)(Jean Coutu Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group Inc. has reached an agreement with an undisclosed buyer to sell the former Eckerd Corp. headquarters in Largo, Fla., for $24 million. Coutu purchased 1,552 Eckerd Stores along with its headquarters...

Study finds program participation means more scripts filled.(News)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Patients age 65 and older who participate in the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) program filled an average of 3.38 prescriptions--compared to an average of 3.05 prescriptions filled by all patients in the same age category,...

P&G 'protects business' with legal action.(Supplier News)
March 13, 2006... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) has been spending a lot of time in court recently, settling two lawsuits and initiating another in a three-day span last month. A day after Texas-based McLane Co. ended P&G's legal action against it...

Packaging updated by Clean Ones.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... PORTLAND, Ore. -- Clean Ones Corp. has added a "compare to" flag on its packaging. Adding a "Compare to Playtex Living Glove" or "Compare to Playtex HandSaver" flag was already an option when Clean Ones gloves were sold under a private...

HP enters in-store photoprocessing.(Supplier News)
March 13, 2006... PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) has ventured into the retail photo printing market, debuting HP Photosmart Studio in outlets operated by Longs Drug Stores, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other major retailers. Longs says that HP's...

Colgate decides on its next CEO.(Supplier News)(Ian Cook)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Colgate-Palmolive Co. chairman and chief executive officer Reuben Mark said at an analysts conference last month that president and chief operating officer Ian Cook will take over the role of chief executive in 2007. The...

Dial agrees to acquire Right Guard line.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Gillette Co. is selling Right Guard and other products in its deodorants line to Dial Corp., a subsidiary of German-based Henkel KGaA, for about $420 million. The transaction is the last divestiture that is required by federal...

Ketchum takes the reins at Newell Rubbermaid.(Supplier News)(Mark Ketchum)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... ATLANTA -- Newell Rubbermaid Inc. has named Mark Ketchum president and chief executive officer. The 56-year-old Ketchum, a Newell Rubbermaid board member who has served as interim chief executive officer since October, spent 33 years with...

SDM has reason to be 'proud of accomplishments'.(Business)(Shoppers Drug Mart)
March 13, 2006... TORONTO -- Strong sales growth, a more profitable sales mix and continued commitment to cost reduction at Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) all combined to drive up net income by more than 18% for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2005. The performance...

Drugstore.com takes some steps toward turning a profit.(Business)
March 13, 2006... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Buoyed by solid sales growth, drugstore.com inc. sharply reduced its operating and net losses for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2005, although its adjusted EBITDA loss deepened for both periods. Looking ahead, management...

Earnings at Cardinal surge 45.3% in second quarter.(Business)
March 13, 2006... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Favorable comparisons helped boost second quarter profits more than 40% at Cardinal Health Inc., but even when special items are excluded, income from continuing operations rose by double digits and exceeded Wall Street's...

Pharmacy needs to stop playing second fiddle.(My Turn)
March 13, 2006... Never in the laudable history of community pharmacy in America has the profession been in such mortal jeopardy, in more imminent danger of irrelevance or extinction. Forces outside the profession apparently think so little of the value it...

'No one thinks we can do without community Rx'.(My Turn)(pharmacy)
March 13, 2006... Beset by challenges, retail pharmacy is poised to go on the offensive, with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores spearheading the attack. In many respects the position is tenuous. Pharmacy operators are still struggling to...

Can mass market retailing survive New Orleans?(NEWS IN DEPTH: A SPECIAL REPORT)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Like that of the city itself, the future of retailing in New Orleans hangs in the balance more than six months after Hurricane Katrina upended established patterns of life in the region. The commitment of mass market...

Industry icon laments 'unbelievably slow recovery'.(NEWS IN DEPTH: A SPECIAL REPORT)(Sydney Besthoff)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- When Sydney Besthoff considers the challenges for retailers intent on rebuilding in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he does so through the eyes of a savvy businessman--and the heart and soul of a chagrined but...

Report tracks where the city is in its effort to get back on track.(NEWS IN DEPTH: A SPECIAL REPORT)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- This city's struggle to recover from Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding is being tracked by the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based research and public policy group. Its last update on conditions in the city...

Employees routinely go above and beyond.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Many would call them examples of exemplary performance. But CVS regional manager Greg Cassin and district manager Ron Cavaretta refer to them as the typical actions of the chain's employees at a time of crisis. They...

CVS prepared for any eventuality.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Even before Hurricane Katrina unleashed her wrath across the region last summer, CVS Corp. had an "unspoken" strategy in place: to operate the last drug store that would close as the winds and rains began to pummel the area, and...

'The toughest part has been the emotional reaction'.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)(Ron Cavaretta of CVS Corp.)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Ron Cavaretta, New Orleans district manager for CVS, has been very familiar with the daily business operations of the stores in his district since moving to the area about nine years ago from New England. But it took the...

'If we said we needed something we got it--period'.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)(Rite Aid Corp. reopens its offices)
March 13, 2006... METAIRIE, La. -- Darryl Micek's office space in this New Orleans suburb has returned to normal now. The familiar noise of computer keys being tapped and telephones ringing is again commonplace. For Micek, a regional vice president at Rite...

Rite Aid gets ready to respond as yet another hurricane season approaches.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Rite Aid regional vice president Darryl Micek keeps a wary eye on the calendar these days--not only as he monitors the progress of the chain's store-reconstruction efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina but also as June I draws...

Region's population drain makes it more difficult to staff stores.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Hurricane Katrina created numerous challenges for mass market retailers. While many hurdles have been overcome since the storm struck, one obstacle continues to confront employers. "The job market was turned completely...

'Planning for store openings hasn't always been easy'.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Walgreen Co.'s goal in rebuilding stores that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina has been to be ahead of the long-term curve. But Eddie Poindexter, who has been New Orleans East district manager for 19 years, points out the...

Quick recovery brings Walgreens new patrons.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- When Eddie Poindexter returned to New Orleans the day after Hurricane Katrina struck, he was the sole figure in the parking lot of a local Walgreens store. But Poindexter, the chain's New Orleans East district manager, was...

'The challenge is sustaining a sufficient customer base'.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- A review of individual store locations, a study of the number of potential employees and a projection of how many residents will return to a particular area--and when --are among factors that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. takes into...

Necessity dictates store's evolution.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... WAVELAND, Miss. -- The store is about one-fourth of its original size. Plywood lines much of its interior walls. The merchandise mix does not fit any standard planogram. The foregoing describes the Wal-Mart outlet along Gulf Coast Highway...

Wal-Mart plays central role in rebuilding efforts.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN MASS MARKET RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... WAVELAND, Miss. -- Despite the rebuilding progress that Wal-Mart has achieved in this Mississippi community, there is no denial from district manager Brian Thomas or store manager Ray Cox that the road to restoration in this Hancock County...

'Normal' isn't what it used to be.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)
March 13, 2006... BATON ROUGE, La. -- Throughout what has been a tumultuous period for Albertsons Inc., one thing has remained constant--the dedication of the company, which is in the process of being sold to a consortium of retailers and investment firms, to...

New owners will decide stores' fate.(NEWS IN DEPTH: CAN RETAILING SURVIVE NEW ORLEANS?)(Albertson's Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... BATON ROUGE, La. -- The part Albertsons will play in retailing in the Gulf Coast states going forward is very much up in the air. The uncertainty is not only attributable to the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which threatens the...

Canker Cover distribution is expanded.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Quantum Inc.'s Canker Cover canker sore treatment is being added to the cough/cold sections of a growing number of drug chains. Launched last summer at Rite Aid Corp., Fred Meyer Inc. and Bi-Mart Corp. stores, the eight-hour treatment is...

Okla. lawmakers target cough meds.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Health and Human Resources Committee have endorsed a bill in that state that would require retailers to move cough medicines formulated with dextromethorphan behind the pharmacy counter. The...

Newly published book answers consumer queries.(What's New)(Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds & Flu, a new book by Dr. Neil Schachter, addresses a wide variety of commonly asked questions about colds, flu and other respiratory problems. Among the topics covered are how to use vitamin C and zinc to...

It's an up year in an up-and-down business.(COUGH/COLD)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- After years of fluctuating between growth and slowdowns, the cough/cold market is on the rise again. Drug store sales in all five of the segments that make up the broader cough/cold category increased over the 52 weeks ended...

Meth fight takes a toll on patients.(COUGH/COLD)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- More than 30 states have already placed some restrictions on the sale of over-the-counter cold remedies that can be used to make methamphetamine. And while federal legislation that would restrict the sale of these products...

Study finds O-T-Cs match Rxs' efficacy.(COUGH/COLD)(over the counter)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... CHICAGO -- Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that over-the-counter allergy medicines formulated with pseudoephedrine hydrochloride are as effective as prescription medicines for the same problem. The study, reported in...

Physicians group causes flap.(Cough/Cold)(American College of Chest Physicians)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Despite a much-publicized report from a respected physicians group suggesting that newer over-the-counter cough medicines are almost useless, marketers continue to stand by their products, insisting that they do work to alleviate...

B.C. rejects ban on cold remedies.(What's New)(British Columbia and the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia on National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities' recommendation)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... The provincial government of British Columbia and the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia last month rejected the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities' recommendation that nearly all cough, cold and allergy medicines...

Matrixx debuts cold/flu products.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Matrixx Initiatives Inc. has introduced Zicam Maximum Strength Flu and Zicam Cold & Flu, which let users choose the flavor of their remedy by dissolving the product in any hot or cold liquid, whether it be orange juice, chicken broth or tea....

Study focuses on improper medication use.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... A recent study released by FLAVORx Inc. suggests that many people are failing to take flu and cold medicines properly. That can be extremely detrimental during the peak cold and flu season, the study concludes. According to FLAVORx,...

Nasal washing, a time-tested treatment, often overlooked.(Cough/Cold)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- A recent study suggests that the best way to alleviate sinus congestion may be one that has been around for thousands of years--regular nasal washing with warm water and 2% saline. According to a study by researchers at the...

Matrixx settles lawsuits, but 'stands by Zicam'.(Cough/Cold)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... PHOENIX -- Matrixx Initiatives agreed last month to pay $12 million to settle 340 lawsuits brought by consumers who claim that the company's Zicam zinc nasal gel damaged or destroyed their sense of smell or taste. "The company still stands...

Allergy relief now in demand year-round.(Cough/Cold)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- While the cough/cold market tends to be seasonal, peaking in the winter months, allergies are not bound by the calendar. Because people get allergies at every time of the year and the incidence of such cases is rising every...

Homeopathic, herbal remedies take different approach.(Cough/Cold)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Over the past few years a growing number of consumers have turned away from traditional cold and flu medications and toward herbal and homeopathic remedies. Thanks to the repeated reports on the effectiveness of such products...

In tight economy teens get more value-conscious.(THE TEEN MARKET)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- The teen market continues to thrive, and chain drug and other mass retailers are trying different methods to capture their fair share of this burgeoning demographic. Teens spent $158 billion in 2005, according to Teenage...

Cosmetics category is where a lot's happening.(THE TEEN MARKET)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- When teens discover something new they go after it in a big way, and that certainly applies in the area of color cosmetics. As girls approach their teens their use of cosmetics skyrockets, with 95% of them using some type of...

Skin care benefits from younger touch.(THE TEEN MARKET)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- While the expanding role of skin care in chain drug stores is usually attributed to the number of aging baby boomers, teenagers also play a significant role in the growth of the category. Teens use a wide range of skin care...

Are retailers missing an opportunity?(THE TEEN MARKET)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Teenagers aren't what they used to be, and consequently neither is the teenage market. Teens are growing up faster than ever, according to chain drug retailers, and thus are increasingly seeking the same products as older...

Hot, trendy nails make statement.(The Teen Market)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Impulse purchases account most sales in the nail care category, and teens particularly love the new and the exotic. The teenage years are for experimentation, with teens searching for their own style and look, and nail products...

Revlon launches perfect pedicure.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Revlon Inc., in conjunction with Pacific World Corp., has introduced Revlon Perfect Pedicure, an all-inclusive, easy-to-use artificial toenails kit with an assortment of nails that seamlessly blend into natural nails. The kit features 48...

Bonne Bell offers F'Lip Style.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Bonne Bell Co. has introduced F'Lip Style, a "pocket friendly" lip gloss available in six unique designs. The product offers quick and easy application with just one flip. The designs let teens match their lip gloss to their personal style....

Wet n wild plans to launch two eye products.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Markwins Beauty Products' wet n wild brand is poised to launch MegaEyes eye shadow trios high-quality compacts as well as MegaLength double-action mascara. The eye shadow trios include a full-size, slide-out mirror, while the mascara preps...

Dream Cosmetics offers wide range.(What's New)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... Dream Cosmetics LLC supplies a broad array of color cosmetics for teens and women. Brands include Dream Girl, Vintage Collection and Beauty Basics.

Chains that make commitment get bath sales.(The Teen Market)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Bath products make up an especially promising segment of the teen market, say chain drug industry observers. Products for teenagers and tweens could even bring the next boom in the bath arena, according to ECRM Focus. Teens...

'These teens are not tuning out'.(drug stores targeting teen )
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Teen girls do more simultaneous information sourcing and explore more alternative media than boys, according to a study from the media planning company Media Head. As any marketer knows, teens are a moving target, known for...

Common problem moves into the open; category shifts.
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- One of the greatest ailments facing women nationwide is also one of the least talked about. Bladder leakage affects millions of adult women, due to a host of factors, from childbirth to merely laughing. "Light to moderate...

Environmental issues impact tampon sector.
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- In recent years the tampon sector of the feminine hygiene market has come under pressure from environmental groups and women's health advocates over such issues as the amount of solid waste their products create and the cancer risks...

PL continues to expand its market share.(Private label)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Private label products continue to make significant inroads in the feminine hygiene category. When thong liners were first introduced by the national brands a few years ago, private label programs quickly followed. Brooks Eckerd...

Hot home testing market breeds innovation.(PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCES)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- The importance of at-home screening devices to the chain drug merchandise mix can be discerned from the rankings of the top-selling general merchandise brands. In the 12 months ended February 20, 2005, Lifescan One Touch blood...

Walgreens promotes wellness.(PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCES)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Walgreen Co. is raising the profile of home care appliances with a nationwide wellness tour. The Walgreens Wellness Tour, in its second year, features two vehicles traveling the continental United States and Puerto Rico to...

Rite Aid targets hypertension.(PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCES)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- A young woman who suffers a heart attack may be more likely than her young male counterpart to have other health problems, including high blood pressure, according to Rite Aid Corp.'s Be Healthy and Beautiful magazine. An...

Sophisticated monitors mean earlier detection.(PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCES)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- Among the companies bringing innovation to the home testing category are Jarden Corp.'s Sunbeam division and Omron Healthcare Inc. The former has launched the Sunbeam Health at Home body fat fitness scale, which measures weight...

Fragrance segmentation a boon.(HOUSEWARES)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- With home fragrances becoming increasingly important to the chain drug mix, merchandisers are eagerly anticipating new offerings from suppliers. "Fragrance products at first might seem peripheral to our core health and beauty...

Category comes with myriad choices.(HOUSEWARES)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- A wide range of housewares is available for the general merchandise mix at chain drug stores. Rite Aid Corp., for example, last year publicized its offering of pillows, throws and microsuede throws in a variety of shades and...

Cleaning products are right at home in chain drug stores.(Brief Article)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK -- One area of housewares that chain drug retailers are ever more mindful of is cleaning products. "Effective cleansers mesh perfectly with our convenience positioning," comments one chain drug category manager. "If a new product...

Fuller exits NACDS; Hannan to be interim CEO.(Craig Fuller resigns, Bob Hannan )(chief executive officer)
March 27, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Craig Fuller has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores following a decision by the NACDS board to change the organization's direction. Former NACDS chairman...

Customer insights help shape Rite Aid format.(News)
March 27, 2006... MECHANICSBURG, Pa. -- Many shoppers arriving at the "Customer World" store that Rite Aid Corp. opened here earlier this month purchased prescriptions and other health care products from its pharmacy--but it was the word "pharmacist" that helped...

Wal-Mart will sell Plan B contraceptive.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
March 27, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- All pharmacies operated by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are now carrying the Plan B contraceptive. The discount retailer agreed to sell the product after facing a legislative mandate to do so in Illinois and Massachusetts and after...

Miller to head remnant of Albertsons.(Bob Miller)(Brief article)
March 27, 2006... NEW YORK -- Rite Aid Corp. chairman Bob Miller will be the new chief executive officer of the Albertsons Inc. stores being purchased by an investment consortium. Miller's appointment was announced by the lead investor, Cerberus Capital...

Retail Rx is galvanized by Civello.(Tony Civello)
March 27, 2006... A legitimate case can be made for the proposition that Tony Civello, Kerr Drug's CEO, has been the most effective, forceful and inOpinion fluential NACDS chairman of the soon-to-end Craig Fuller era. As background, the chairman's position...

Medicare drug benefit remains source of turmoil.(economic benefits of Medicare Part D)
March 27, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The May 15 deadline for penalty-free enrollment in Medicare Part D should be maintained, Mark McClellan, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said this month. McClellan likened the delay of...

Albertsons sale clears a hurdle.(CVS Corp., Supervalu Inc. and Cerberus Capital Management LP to acquire the supermarket chain)(Brief article)
March 27, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- The breakup and sale of Albertsons Inc. has received a green light, as the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (HSR) expired without a request from federal regulators for further information. In late...

Bush budget gets a cool reception.(News)
March 27, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is applauding indications by top Senate Republicans that they will oppose substantial cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Earlier, the trade group expressed reservations about President...

Coutu move on credit triggers downgrades.(Jean Coutu Group Inc., shares and securities)
March 27, 2006... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group is seeking an amendment to its senior secured credit facility, triggering downgrades by a number of analysts and sending the company's shares lower. Coutu's $1.7 billion senior secured debt...