Chain Drug Review articles from March 2008

Chain Drug Review archives from March 2008

Wal-Mart ups ante with clinics.(News)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to open clinics)
March 3, 2008... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has unveiled a new strategy for its in-store medical clinics. Beginning in April, the retailer plans to open cobranded clinics, in partnership with local hospital systems, under "The Clinic at Wal-Mart"...

NACDS promotes successful selling.(News)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- Dozens of small vendors with little or no distribution in chain drug stores got a crash course in the intricacies of working with the trade class last month at an event sponsored by the National...

Walgreens provides guide for suppliers.(News)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- America's drug chains and small and midsize vendors have a symbiotic relationship--one cannot survive without the other. "Retail is all about sales and new items," Walgreen Co. executive...

CACDS weighs customer value.(News)
March 3, 2008... MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- In the 10 years since the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) held its first annual conference, chain drug retailers and their suppliers have had the differences that can be expected in any buyer/seller...

There's no letup in Rx price hikes.(News)(pharmaceutical industry continues to raise the price of its products)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- The pharmaceutical industry continues to raise the price of its products, despite coming under increased criticism in the political and private arenas. According to Delta Marketing Dynamics Inc., a health care marketing...

GPhA: generics are right choice.(News)(Generic Pharmaceutical Association)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Issues ranging from biogenerics to citizen petitions to free trade agreements are among the central components of a busy and what is bound to be controversial legislative and regulatory agenda...

Walgreens' Gleeson steps down.(News)(John Gleeson of Walgreen Co.)
March 3, 2008... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Senior vice president and chief strategy officer John Gleeson has retired after more than 45 years with Walgreen Co. "John was an 'idea' guy throughout his career," says chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Rein. "He...

Regional chains.(News)(Conference news)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The more than 450 retailers and suppliers at last month's NACDS Regional Chain Conference explored many of the challenges facing the industry's smaller players. Speakers at the conference stressed the importance of...

Duane Reade set to give back to N.Y.(News)(Duane Reade Inc. offers environmentally friendly shopping bag )
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- This spring Duane Reade Inc. will offer a fashionable, environmentally friendly shopping bag created by designer Alvin Valley. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the "Use it, don't abuse it!" bags...

Hutchinson joins Prematics.(News)(Prematics appoints Kevin Hutchinson)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... BETHESDA, Md. -- Health care information technology service provider Prematics has named Kevin Hutchinson, former president and chief executive officer of SureScripts, its new president and CEO and a member of the company's board of directors....

Elephant builds distinctive image.(News)(Elephant Pharmacy)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... BERKELEY, Calif. -- A circular perhaps like no other drug chain's has been issued by Elephant Pharm. The flyer promotes products that range from organic Chardonnay to Make-a-Wish necklaces. Also promoted are programs ranging from...

CDMA Trade Expo to stress education.(News)(Chain Drug Marketing Association)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NOVI, Mich. -- The Chain Drug Marketing Association (CDMA) will host its 82nd Education and Trade Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., on March 11 and March 12. Exhibitors will present show specials on front-end...

Wal-Mart is making inroads in pharmacy.(News)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- While Walgreen Co. remains the nation's most shopped pharmacy chain, recent research shows that Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s $4 generic prescriptions have helped the discount chain gain market share over the past year. ...

Parties end partnership for Part D.(News)(CVS Caremark Corp. and Universal American Financial Corp. have announced to dissolve their strategic alliance)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. and Universal American Corp. have announced they will dissolve their strategic alliance covering the Prescription Pathway Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) program as of December 31, 2008. ...

Health care model in midst of change.(News)
March 3, 2008... MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- Bill Felkey, professor of pharmacy care systems at Auburn University's Harrison School of Pharmacy, advised his audience at the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores annual conference here that North Americans were...

Value of collaboration evident.(News)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- At the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores' annual conference Vic Mazzacone, senior vice president of corporate relations for Novartis Consumer Health Inc.'s North American business, and Michael Hartman, director...

IRI study shows what will drive CPG business in '08.(Supplier News)(consumer packaged goods)
March 3, 2008... CHICAGO -- The elevated price of retail consumer packaged goods (CPG) was the industry's most significant story in 2007, according to a report from Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Meanwhile, product innovation also played a key role in...

J&J ads promote infant care.(Supplier News)(Johnson & Johnson)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... SKILLMAN, N.J. -- Johnson & Johnson's (J&J's) baby care unit has launched a marketing campaign focused on the power of a mother's touch. The effort will utilize online, television and print media, A key part of the campaign, J&J...

NASCAR drivers tout Coke Zero.(Supplier News)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. and Coca-Cola Co. (Atlanta, Georgia))(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... ATLANTA -- Coca-Cola Co. has launched Coke Zero's first-ever NASCAR television ad. "Taste infringers" and" soda pirates" are two of the accusations leveled at Coke Zero in a humorous advertisement set up to reinforce that Coke Zero has...

Goodwin moves up at P&G.(Supplier News)(John Goodwin of Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) has selected John Goodwin, an 18-year veteran of the company, as president of its global snack and pet care business. Goodwin joined the consumer products supplier in 1990 as a financial analyst. He...

Church & Dwight bolsters First Response line.(Supplier News)(Church & Dwight Company Inc.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... PRINCETON, N.J. -- Church & Dwight Co.'s First Response pregnancy test now gives women a quick and simple answer to the question "Am I having a baby?" The new First Response Gold Early Result Digital Pregnancy Test features an easy-to-read...

SDM strategy proves a winner yet again in fiscal '07.(Business)(sales and earnings of Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)(Financial report)
March 3, 2008... TORONTO -- Repeating once again a story of impressive top-line growth, a more profitable sales mix and a sustained focus on cost containment, Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) posted double-digit increases in net income for both the fourth quarter and...

Exclusive brands are assuming bigger role.(Business)(sales and earnings of Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... TORONTO -- One of the highlights of Shoppers Drug Mart's (SDM's) top-line performance during fiscal 2007 was the progress made in expanding the share of the company's private label and exclusive brands. During the fourth quarter store and...

Economic stimulus on the way.(Business)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Retailers have welcomed the enactment of the administration's economic stimulus package, which President Bush signed after Congress moved with unusual speed to pass the legislation. The legislation, which was crafted through a...

Drugstore.com turns a profit for the first time.(Business)(sales and earnings of drugstore.com Inc.)(Financial report)
March 3, 2008... BELLEVUE, Wash.--After years of trying, drugstore.com finally broke into the black, posting its first-ever bottom-line profit during the fourth quarter of 2007. However, management expected to return to red ink in the first quarter of 2008,...

McKesson hurt by special items.(Business)(sales and earnings of McKesson Corp.)(Financial report)
March 3, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO -- Onetime items hammered income from continuing operations at McKesson Corp. for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 in spite of a double-digit surge in revenues. However, even though the performance and management's full-year...

Drug wholesaler says it should meet target.(Business)(sales and earnings of McKesson Corp.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO -- Despite a disappointing third quarter, the management of McKesson Corp. maintained that the company is still on track to meet its full-year earnings projection. "We continue to have very positive market momentum in both our...

Loss is expected in the first quarter.(Business)(sales and earnings of drugstore.com Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Citing the short-term effects of a $1.3 million investment in consulting services associated with profitability initiatives, drugstore.com is forecasting a return to red ink in the first quarter of 2008, with a loss ranging...

Two of retailing's very best square off.(My Turn)(Walgreen Co. and CVS Caremark)
March 3, 2008... The competition between Walgreens and CVS Caremark, one based on their opposing views and definitions of chain drug retailing, is easily the most compelling industry story 2008 has to offer. Indeed, rarely in the annals of mass market retailing...

Community Rx care can be a lifesaver.(My Turn)
March 3, 2008... The death of Heath Ledger, the young movie actor who received widespread acclaim for his performance in Brokeback Mountain, has been endlessly covered in the tabloid press. Much speculation centered on the cause of death, including the possible...

Hi-Tech gets O.K. for cough syrup.(What's New)(Hi-Tech Pharmacal Company Inc.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... Hi-Tech Pharmacal has announced that the FDA has granted approval for the company's abbreviated new drug application for hydrocodone bitartrate and homatropine methylbromide syrup, the generic equivalent of Endo Pharmaceuticals' Hycodan. The...

Reese expands cough/cold line.(What's New)(Reese Pharmaceutical Co.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reese Pharmaceutical Co. has introduced two guaifenesin-based formulations to its cough/cold line. Nondrowsy and dye-free, Refenesen Chest Congestion & Pain Relief and Refenesen Chest Congestion & Pain Relief PE each...

Irrigation is found to ease nasal symptoms.(What's New)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... Saline irrigation is a safe, inexpensive and effective treatment for chronic nasal and sinus symptoms; according to a recent study by the University of Michigan Health System. Researchers found that saline irrigation is better than commonly...

Village Naturals targets routine health woes.(What's New)(The Village Co. launches therapy line providing natural relief from common ailments)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Village Co. recently launched its Village Naturals Therapy line, providing natural relief from common ailments. The six products address such everyday complaints as cold and sinus, allergies, and congestion. The...

St. Jude study looks at risk factors for RSV.(What's New)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... St. Jude's Research Hospital investigators have shown how to predict whether children are at risk for developing infection from respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a common cause of pneumonia, causing fever, runny nose and coughing. Results of...

Zyflo tablets post big gains.(What's New)(Critical Therapeutics Inc. announces that sales of its Zyflo and Zyflo CR tablets increased)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... Critical Therapeutics Inc. announced that sales of its Zyflo and Zyflo CR tablets increased about 43% for the four weeks ended February 1, compared with a similar period ended September 28, 2007. In addition, the number of physicians...

O-T-C Zyrtec brings needed jolt: despite a slow start to the flu season, drug store sales in the category continue to rise.(COUGH/COLD)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Early disappointment over flu treatment sales is being offset at chain pharmacies by hopes that the newly over-the-counter drug Zyrtec can lift the entire cough/ cold/allergy/sinus category. "Many of the country's 50 million...

Scientists at work on new way to combat allergic reactions.(MERCHANDISING)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Researchers have made inroads toward developing a new class of easy-to-take asthma and allergy drugs that are able to treat the roots of the conditions rather than just the symptoms. By targeting a particular protein, scientists...

Cadbury Adams extends Halls.(What's New)(Cadbury Adams USA L.L.C. introduces cough drops)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cadbury Adams USA has introduced a major subbrand to its Halls brand of cough drops. Halls Naturals items are unique in that they contain 100%-natural menthol to soothe the symptoms of cough and sore throat. The line...

St. Paul Brands introduces fizzy drink remedy.(What's New)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] St. Paul Brands, a division of Affordable Quality Pharmaceuticals, has introduced to the American market two effervescent O-T-C products for the relief of such cold symptoms as fever and sore throat. AsperDrink, an...

Study weighs impact of allergy shots.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Allergy shots benefit children and cut health care costs, but the prolonged regimen leads to a lack of compliance. An alternative delivery form would thus be welcome. That is the message of a new study conducted by BioMedEcon...

New entries enliven nasal spray segment.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Adams Respiratory Therapeutics and Master Solutions and Fleming Pharmaceuticals launches new line of nasal sprays)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- The nasal spray category is heating up with launches from Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Master Solutions and Fleming Pharmaceuticals. Adams has introduced Mucinex Full Force and Mucinex Moisture Smart nasal sprays, both with...

Drug chains take leading role in flu prevention efforts.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Drug chains large and small have offered, or are continuing to offer, flu shots this winter. Kerr Drug provided shots until January 31 at several stores in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. The flu season typically...

Fever means more than a cold.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Early detection is key to treating the flu, especially since new antiviral drugs must be given within two days of the infection's onset. Although the symptoms of cold and flu are similar, a person who is suffering from the flu...

Asmanex Twisthaler hits market.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Schering-Plough Corp.'s Asmanex Twisthaler gets FDA approval)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration has approved Schering-Plough Corp.'s Asmanex Twisthaler for treating asthma in ages 4 to 11. A higher strength of the drug was approved by the FDA in 2005 as a preventive therapy in patients...

Marketing muscle is applied by retailers.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- The importance of cough/cold/allergy/sinus products to the chain drug mix can be gleaned from their prominence in retailers' flyers. A Rite Aid Corp. circular last month featured Schering-Plough Corp.'s Claritin, Adams...

Easy relief from allergies.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Competition in the allergy category is heating up with the authorization of added labeling for Schering-Plough Consumer Healthcare's Claritin and the switch of McNeil Consumer Healthcare's Zyrtec from prescription to...

Tackling root of the problem.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Dr. Diane Heatley, an ear, nose and throat specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, sees hundreds of patients with sinus pain each year and says most treatments ignore the underlying problem. Most sinus problems are...

Vaccine ineffective for some flu strains.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... ATLANTA -- The incidence of flu was up in midwinter, according to health officials. This was in part because shots were not safeguarding people against most of the spreading influenza viruses. The flu vaccine offered protection from only...

Medication abuse on rise.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)
March 3, 2008... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- A government study has revealed that more than 3 million of today's adolescents and young adults have used over-the-counter cough/cold drugs at least once to get high. The usage level is comparable to that of LSD, and more...

Doubts over efficacy of O-T-C cough treatments rebutted.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has challenged skepticism over nonprescription cough medicine in a Cochrane Collaboration review. "The evidence for effectiveness of oral over-the-counter cough medicines is...

'We decided to get ahead of the game'.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Hogil Pharmaceutical Corp. embraces fight against drug abuse )(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The fight against drug abuse has been embraced by Hogil Pharmaceutical Corp. The company's Sine-Off was the first brand to have pseudoephedrine removed from its cold, flu and sinus medicines, according to president...

Wyeth gives parents data they need.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)(Wyeth Consumer Healthcare)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Wyeth Consumer Healthcare has backed the Food and Drug Administration's recommendation against use of over-the-counter cough/ cold products by children under age 2. Since October Wyeth has worked with retailers, health care...

Environment impacts asthma.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH/COLD)
March 3, 2008... WASHINGTON -- For the third time in five years Knoxville, Tenn., has been ranked as the most challenging place to live with asthma in the United States. Knoxville rose to the top of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's (AAFA's)...

Consumers seek natural health care alternatives.(NATURAL REMEDIES)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Increased sales of previously slotted products and greater numbers of new products that are being rolled out by retailers are helping to expand the presence of homeopathic medicines in chain drug stores. "These increases in...

Holistic methods gain ground.(MERCHANDISING)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- The homeopathic category continues to grow in chain drug stores as consumers seek out additional natural and effective treatments for the cold and flu and other health care conditions, according to Curt Finckler, senior brand...

Tinnitus treatment has one-two punch.(MERCHANDISING)
March 3, 2008... SAN DIEGO -- Some consumers insist that only herbal-based products will address their health care needs; others maintain that homeopathy is the only approach that they will follow. But for those suffering from tinnitus, Clear Products Inc....

At Pharmaca, education key to driving sales.(MERCHANDISING)
March 3, 2008... BOULDER, Colo. -- Homeopathy is an evolving product category in drug stores and in recent months has been driven by a trend of parents seeking safe and effective cold and cough medicines for their children, notes Don Summerfield, vice president...

Homeopathy in sync with body.(MERCHANDISING/NATURAL REMEDIES)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Rather than suppressing symptoms of health care conditions, homeopathic products work with the body to allow it to rebalance itself, without the risk of overdosing or potential negative interaction with other drugs. That benefit,...

Medical experts find room for disagreement.(MERCHANDISING/NATURAL REMEDIES)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW HAVEN -- Although homeopathic product sales are accelerating in chain drug stores and other mass retail outlets, the "like cures like" concept of this form of health care still has its share of skeptics. Last fall several international...

A way for chains to get an edge.(MERCHANDISING/NATURAL REMEDIES)(Boiron managign demands of drugstores )
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Growing numbers of retailers are developing sections stocked with items for preventive and natural health care, and many are discovering in the process the ease of integrating homeopathic products into those sections, says John...

For many, a good night's sleep isn't a given.(SLEEP AIDS)(due to sleep disorders demand for sleep drugs increase)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- With as many as 70 million Americans suffering from some sort of sleeping problem, the market for over-the-counter sleep aids is booming. For the 52 weeks ended January 27, combined sales in the sleeping aids liquids and...

'Snoring can be dangerous'.(MERCHANDISING)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Few sleep problems are as prevalent as snoring. Estimates are that as many as 98 million Americans and hundreds of millions of other people across the world snore. Recent research suggests that snoring can lead to other...

Sleeping aid liquids.(MERCHANDISING)(rates of sleep drugs)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... SLEEPING AID LIQUIDS TOTAL DOLLAR SALES* $12.2 mil. (+10.7%) DRUG STORES $8.1 mil. (+15.1%) Market Dollar sales Dollar sales LEADING BRANDS ** share (000) % change ...

Demand heavy for Rx sleep aids.(MERCHANDISING)(higher demand for sleep drugs)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- American consumers have made prescription sleeping aids some of the hottest-selling products in all of chain drug retailing According to the market researchers, such drugs as sanofiaventis' Ambein and Sepracor Inc.'s Lunesta...

Sleeping aid tablets.(MERCHANDISING)(rates of sleep drugs)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... SLEEPING AID TABLETS TOTAL DOLLAR SALES * $123.1 mil. (+18%) DRUG STORES $68.3 mil. (+26.2%) Market Dollar sales Dollar sales LEADING BRANDS ** share (000) % change ...

Retailers are rethinking meaning of store brands.(PRIVATE LABEL)(Walgreen Co.)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Private label has come a long way from the plain, black-and-white boxes and second-class reputation it suffered a few years ago, and nowhere is the change more apparent than the shelves of chain drug stores, where another shift in...

PL gains ground at drug chains.(MERCHANDISING)(increase in private lable brands)
March 3, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Private label products are playing an increasingly important role in chain drug stores. With their emphasis on convenience, health and reasonable prices, drug stores are in many ways ideal venues for...

Outscouring manufacturing 'a double-edged sword'.(MERCHANDISING)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Retailers have increased their reliance on private label merchandise obtained from low-cost sourcing countries, and while this has driven gross margins it has also created new Asks, according to a report by Retail Research Systems...

There are lessons to be learned in Europe.(MERCHANDISING/PRIVATE LABEL)
March 3, 2008... CHICAGO -- Private label brands have long enjoyed significant popularity in Europe, and now the retail strategies driving store brand growth there are beginning to cross the Atlantic as major chains in the United States invest more heavily in...

Exclusives attract beauty shoppers.(MERCHANDISING/PRIVATE LABEL)(Walgreen Co. markets by using cosmetics products )
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- With the majority of its shoppers women who are searching for quality products at favorable prices, chain drug retailers have found the perfect vehicle for attracting these consumers: a burgeoning array of exclusive beauty brands....

Perrigo extends its reach in Great Britain.(MERCHANDISING/PRIVATE LABEL)(Galpharm Healthcare Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 3, 2008... ALLEGAN, Mich.. -- Perrigo Co. has acquired Galpharm Healthcare Ltd. for $86 million in cash. Based in Barnsley, England, Galpharm is a leading supplier of over-the-counter store brand pharmaceutical products sold by drug stores and...

Me-too thinking thing of the past.(MERCHANDISING/PRIVATE LABEL)
March 3, 2008... NEW YORK -- Whether it's buying disposable diapers for their babies or cold and sinus products for the entire family, the young mothers who account for a significant percentage of drug store sales are looking to get the most for their money....

Project Destiny charts future course for pharmacy.(News)
March 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Community pharmacy must act decisively and cooperatively with health care industry stakeholders if it is to ensure that its own services beyond product dispensing are broadly embraced. The foregoing is among initial results of...

New script pad rule is looming.(News)
March 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- A controversial regulation that will require the use of tamper-resistant prescription pads for Medicaid becomes effective April 1. The rule, to be implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), had been...

A career of milestones ends.(News)
March 17, 2008... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- After a 45-year career at the Walgreen Co., an odyssey that put him right in the middle of virtually every key strategic and operational innovation that, over a period of four decades, transformed Walgreens from a second-tier...

Walgreens arrives in nation's capital.(News)
March 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- After establishing a small presence in suburban Virginia and Maryland over the past few years, Walgreen Co. opened its first store in the nation's capital earlier this month. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] And judging from the...

Opposition to Medicaid cuts mounts.(News)
March 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Opposition to looming cuts in Medicaid funding on both the federal and state levels is escalating within both government and the community pharmacy industry. Late last month the winter meeting of the National Governors...

MinuteClinic reaches the 500-unit mark.(News)
March 17, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- MinuteClinic, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corp., has opened its 500th clinic. The milestone was reached earlier this month, when MinuteClinic opened three health care centers, each situated inside a CVS store. The new...

MSI demonstrates its strength in MTM.(News)(Medicine Shoppe International Inc.)(medication therapy management )(Brief article)
March 17, 2008... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International (MSI), through its Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy stores, continues to be among the leaders in the industry in providing retail-based medication therapy management (MTM) sessions to qualifying...

Longs appoints Vasos EVP, COO.(News)(Todd Vasos appointed at Longs Drug Stores Corp.)(Brief article)
March 17, 2008... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores senior vice president and chief merchandising officer Todd Vasos has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer. He succeeds Karen Stout, who has left the company. Vasos--who...

IRI bullish about 'Liquid Data'.(News)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- There is no shortage of consumer packaged goods data, but there has been a dearth of unambiguous conclusions from it. But that's about to change-says Information Resources Inc. (IRI) chairman Romesh Wadhwani--with the launch of...

Supreme Court sends mixed signals on preemption.(News)(Food and Drug Administration)
March 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court has ruled that patients cannot sue the manufacturers of medical devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration. But the court was unable to reach a similar decision in a pharmaceutical preemption case that...

Web store, designer sign deal.(News)(Beauty.com and Jenni Kayne in partnership)(Brief article)
March 17, 2008... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- The web site Beauty.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of drugstore.com, has enlisted the Los Angeles-based women's wear designer Jenni Kayne to create a fashion-forward bag that doubles as a cosmetics case or a fashionable...