Chain Drug Review articles from March 2009

Chain Drug Review archives from March 2009

Rx organizations map out vision for health care reform.(News)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WASHINGTON -- Ten pharmacy associations and two of the industry's largest drug chains unveiled plans to intensify their efforts in getting lawmakers to ensure that pharmacy plays a key role in the nation's reformed...

Wal-Mart to cut its workforce.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Health and wellness associates are among hundreds of corporate staffers being laid off at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The discounter is eliminating 700 to 800 positions at its home office, with the cuts concentrated in the...

Stimulus package will bring needed relief.(News)
March 2, 2009... WASHINGTON -- The $787 billion stimulus plan, meant to spur economic recovery and create jobs, also should provide a boost to community pharmacies and their customers. "States and patients are among the victors in this legislation,"...

Rite Aid to 'focus operations'.(News)
March 2, 2009... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- With its recent sale of a dozen stores to Walgreen Co., Rite Aid Corp. continues its efforts to rein in costs to become a more efficient and profitable retail operator. Under the deal, announced last month, Rite Aid plans...

Economic outlook remains gloomy.(News)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Hopes for an economic recovery in the second half of 2009 are fading, but the implications for the chain drug store industry are unclear after January saw a surprising, ff temporary, rebound in retail sales. Economists'...

Cardinal decides on name for unit it will spin off.(News)(CareFusion)
March 2, 2009... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Cardinal Health Inc. has selected the name CareFusion for the medical technology company that will be formed through the proposed spin-off of Cardinal's clinical and medical products businesses. The name CareFusion is said...

Panzer is Pharmaca president.(News)(Mark Panzer)(Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... BOULDER, Colo. -- Retail industry veteran Mark Panzer has become president of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy. He joined the company in October as chief operating officer. "In the short time Mark has been here he has proven to be an...

Snyders intends to shutter 19 outlets.(News)(Snyder Drug Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Snyders Drug Stores unveiled plans last month to close or sell 19 of its 47 corporate stores in Minnesota by mid-March. "Going forward we will be smaller but stronger, and we will continue our commitment to customers,...

MinuteClinic teams up with Cleveland Clinic.(News)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... CLEVELAND -- Stressing that both entities share a core value of providing quality care, MinuteClinic, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corp., has entered into an agreement with Cleveland Clinic at several northeast Ohio CVS/pharmacy units. The...

New CVS warehouse in works.(News)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. plans to build a new distribution center in southwestern New York state. The 750,000-square-foot facility, which is to be situated in the town of Chemung, N.Y., would support inventory and fulfillment...

NACDS Regional Chain Conference.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Conference news)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Representatives from regional chains and dozens of suppliers gathered at the National Association of Chain DrugStores Regional Chain Conference last month in Chandler, Ariz. The event featured presentations on such topics as the impact of the...

Product of the Year awards honor innovation.(Supplier News)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- The 16 winners of the Product of the Year awards for 2009 were unveiled at a gala dinner that was held here last month. The awards were given to the most innovative consumer packaged goods products, as selected by more than...

Mead Johnson is spun off by Bristol-Myers.(Supplier News)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.'s stock opened for trading on the New York Stock Exchange last month and rose 10% in its opening day. The $720 million initial public offering was part of the spin-off of Mead Johnson from former...

New flavor introduced to Supreme Protein line.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... MANASQUAN, N.J. -- Supreme Protein Inc. has added a new flavor to its protein bar line. In keeping with the company's mission of delivering superior nutrition and gourmet candy taste, the new product is called Supreme Protein Rocky Road...

Dioptics a 'nautral fit' for FGX.(Supplier News)(FGX International)(Dioptics Medical Products Inc.)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- FGX International, maker of Foster Grant sunglasses and Magnivision reading glasses, is expanding its eyewear business with the acquisition of Dioptics Medical Products Inc. Dioptics sells sunglasses and optical...

Foot care items hit the market.(Supplier News)(24/7 Plantar Fasciitis Support)(Therapeutic Hot & Cold Foot Massager)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. -- Health Enterprises Inc. is introducing two new foot care items: the 24/7 Plantar Fasciitis Support and the Therapeutic Hot & Cold Foot Massager. The company says the 24/7 Plantar...

Results at drugstore.com continue to improve.(Business)(Financial report)
March 2, 2009... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Drugstore.com narrowed its loss from continuing operations in 2008, as adjusted EBITDA more than doubled over the 52 weeks and nearly quadrupled in the fourth quarter in the face of single-digit sales growth. The online...

Execs are optimistic about '09.(Business)(executives)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- With a strong finish to fiscal 2008 on the books, drugstore.com projects that net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 will come in between $93 million and $97 million, while the bottom line is expected to range from...

Duane Reade bucks negative same-store sales trends.(Business)(Financial report)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade Holdings Inc. posted a healthy same-store sales gain for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, led by strong activity at the front end. Overall same-store sales in the quarter climbed 5.7% year over year, according to...

AmerisourceBergen profits top expectations.(Business)(Financial report)
March 2, 2009... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- Income from continuing operations grew almost 4% on fiat revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 at AmerisourceBergen Corp. But results beat Wall Street's expectations, and management reconfirmed its guidance for the...

Management backs outlook.(Business)(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- Although the loss of a major retail drug chain account kept first quarter revenue growth fiat, AmerisourceBergen's management reconfirmed its prior guidance for full-year 2009 earnings and sales. The company continues...

What's prudent is not necessarily smart.(My Turn)(Editorial)
March 2, 2009... Shoppers Drug Mart announced two hires earlier this year that are worth noting. Former Target merchant Mary Kelly signed on to oversee Shoppers' front-end business, while Mark Valesano, who formerly ran the pharmacy and H&BA business at the...

Retail pharmacy to benefit from stimulus plan.(My Turn)
March 2, 2009... Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act should be welcome news for retail pharmacy operators. The $787 billion measure, approved by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last month, provides immediate assistance for...

'Perfect storm' of positive factors propels category.(COUGH & COLD)(Statistical table)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- The recession is not stopping retailer and supplier excitement from mounting over the cough/cold category. In fact, the economic downturn could actually lift the sector as people turn to over-the-counter remedies for sore...

New version of Tylenol generates excitement.(COUGH & COLD)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers have high hopes for the cough/cold category based on a recent line extension of one of the most redoubtable H&BA brands. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is making waves in the category with the debut of Tylenol...

Cure for common cold remains elusive, scientists conclude.(COUGH & COLD)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- The genomes of all strains of the human rhinovirus, the major cause of the common cold, have been decoded. But despite this progress in research, scientists stress that the strains are probably too diverse for a lone treatment or...

Allergy relief options grow.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Statistical data)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Allergy sufferers of all ages are getting symptom relief from line extensions and new product entries, and chain drug stores are directing attention to the updated offerings with in-store circulars and prominent shelf space. An...

Web site touts MyKidz patch.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(NextWave Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(MyKidz Comfort Patch)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. -- Recognizing the public's hunger for health care information, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Inc. is updating its web site to include additional material concerning MyKidz Comfort Patch, an innovative product designed to...

Natural products stir up cough/cold market.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Statistical data)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- The sluggishness of cold/allergy/sinus liquids and powders over the past year has drug chains increasingly looking to natural alternatives to traditional over-the-counter medicines. Among the players with new offerings in the...

Change comes to venerable line.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Carma Laboratories Inc., maker of Carmex lip balms, recently introduced its first new product in 70 years: Carmex Moisture Plus ultra-hydrating lip balm. The premium lip balm is distinguished by its intense moisturizing...

First once-daily amoxicillin pill.(What's New)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals Inc. this month is slated to launch Moxatag tablets. It is said to be the first Food and Drug Administration-approved amoxicillin tablet to be taken once daily. The extended-release...

Capsule helps treat coughs related to colds.(What's New)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Covidien is marketing TussiCaps, an extended-release capsule designed to treat cold-related coughs. The company says that the prescription product is the first hydrocodone/chlorpeniramine oral capsule that is aimed...

Sales helped by presence of in-store clinics.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Statistical data)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- One key diver of cough/cold product sales for chain drug retailers has been the rollout of in-store clinics. "A lot of trips to clinics are generated by upper respiratory infections and allergies," comments one chain drug...

'Frozen lozenge' a new twist in cough drops.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Insight Pharmaceuticals)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Insight Pharmaceuticals has redefined the cough drops category with the launch of Sucrets Ice, frozen single-use packages that promise cooling relief for the sore throats of children as well as adults. "Parents will no longer...

Market leader is adding flavors.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(briefs)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Cough drops market leader Cadbury Adams USA has extended the Halls Naturals subbrand with two flavors containing a honey center. The new Halls Naturals Harvest Peach and Mountain Berry contain 100% natural menthol and pure...

Nasal washes expand niche.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Statistical table)
March 2, 2009... MADISON, Wis. -- Innovative products created by a physician, backed by scientific studies and positively received by the public have helped fuel success in the SinuCleanse nasal wash system marketed by Med-Systems Inc. Nasal washing...

Software flags illness hot spots.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Zicam Cold and Flu Companion)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Matrixx Initiatives Inc. has turned to technology to help consumers stay a step ahead of coughs and colds. The company has launched the Zicam Cold and Flu Companion, a mobile application for the T-Mobile G1 mobile...

Saline sprays boosted by irrigation products.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Fleming & Co. Pharmaceuticals)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- The fastest-growing area of the saline nasal spray product segment has been sinus irrigation. Allergy and chronic sinusitis sufferers drove up irrigation product sales 98% in the 44 weeks ended December 31, says Scott Sims, vice...

Despite a mild flu season, questions surface about Tamiflu.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... ATLANTA -- A flu season that has so far proved to be milder than those in years past may be resulting in a sense of false comfort among the public. According to published reports, some health officials have expressed concern that Tamiflu,...

Flu sufferers not getting Rxs.(What's New)(Survey)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Few people who contract influenza and other respiratory diseases that cause cough and related symptoms are ever prescribed medications, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters Healtbeare. The survey shows that about 5% of the nation's children...

Abkit becomes integral part of Schwabe N.A.(What's New)(North America)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Abkit Inc. and its brands, including Zucol ColdCare, are now part of the newly formed Schwabe North America. Based in Wisconsin, Schwabe North America was created by the combination of Enzymatic Therapy Inc. and...

Misuse of cough products falls.(What's New)(Report)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Makers of over-the-counter cough medicines are making headway in curbing the misuse of those products, notably among teens. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported a decline in the nonmedical use of such products among young people for...

CHPA promotes safe O-T-C use.(What's New)(Consumer Healthcare Products Association)(over-the-counter)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Actress Chandra Wilson gave nearly 30 media interviews recently about "Treat With Care," a campaign by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Foundation that promotes the safe use of over-the-counter cough/cold...

Availability of Sambucol in U.S. expands.(What's New)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] United States distribution of Sambucol black elderberry dietary supplements, including new Cold & Flu Relief tablets, is being expanded. Previously sold under the Nature's Way name, Sambucol is now being distributed...

Chains take aim at the flu.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers did their part this flu season to keep suffering to a minimum. CVS Caremark Corp., for one, surpassed its goal of delivering 1 million flu vaccinations. CVS stores and the company's MinuteClinics...

P&G's Vicks pairs up with TV mom.(MERCHANDISING/COUGH & COLD)(Procter & Gamble Co.)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... CINCINNATI -- To mark the introduction of Vicks DayQuil Plus Vitamin C and NyQuil Plus Vitamin C, Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) has teamed up with one of America's best-known television mothers, actress Marion Ross. P&G and Ross, who played...

Alternative medicine use widens.(NATURAL REMEDIES)(Survey)(Statistical data)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Nearly four in 10 adults and about one in rune children use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a nationwide poll. The findings, released in December, stem from a study developed by the National Center...

New children's products give parents options.(NATURAL REMEDIES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Manufacturers are responding to parents' concerns about the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter medications with new natural remedies for children's cold, cough and flu symptoms. Boiron has rolled out Children's...

Depend line gets gender-specific.(What's New)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kimberly-Clark Corp. plans to begin rolling out its Depend Underwear for Men and Depend Underwear for Women this month. The line is the first gender-specific incontinence product on the market, with the new designs...

A&D monitor goes wireless.(What's New)
March 2, 2009... A&D Medical-Life-Source has introduced an automatic blood pressure monitor with wireless connectivity. The new UA-851THW wireless monitor provides detection of irregular heartbeat, as well as time-stamp data logging and a 51 internal memory...

Roche cuts blood sugar monitor prices.(What's New)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Roche Diagnostics has reduced the prices of its Accu-chek Aviva and Compact Plus blood sugar monitors, bringing the cost of each to about $20. Roche Diagnostics, 9115 Hague Road, Indianapolis, Ind. 46256; (317)...

A logical extension of the Rx business.(HOME HEALTH CARE)(Statistical data)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- The nation's demographic trends--baby boomers reaching middle age and elderly people living longer--have helped make home health care a thriving category in chain drug stores. Add to that a health care system that puts more...

Study finds demand will surge.(HOME HEALTH CARE)
March 2, 2009... CLEVELAND -- Demand in the United States for home medical equipment is expected to increase 5.5% a year to more than $10 billion in 2012, a study released earlier this month by Freedonia Group Inc. shows. Products that reduce the need to...

Chain promos tout home testing.(HOME HEALTH CARE)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Drug chains across North America featured a variety of home testing devices for cardiac health and other conditions in their weekly flyers in February during National Heart Health Month. CVS Caremark Corp., for instance, gave...

Drug chains sharpen focus on heart health.(MERCHANDISING/HOME HEALTH CARE)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- With medical data showing that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, products that can help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system have become a critical part of many patients' health care regimens. ...

New tests show retail promise.(MERCHANDISING/HOME HEALTH CARE)(Statistical table)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Every day, thousands of laboratories from coast to coast perform testing for more than 1,500 diseases and conditions as well as to establish parentage, identify missing persons and criminal suspects, and discover ancestral origins....

Link seen in urinary problems.(MERCHANDISING/HOME HEALTH CARE)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- A study released earlier this year shows a strong link between weight loss and a decrease in incidences of urinary incontinence in women. Published in the January 29 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, the study found...

CMS urged to exempt Rx from DME rule.(MERCHANDISING/HOME HEALTH CARE)(Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services)(durable medical equipment)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... WASHINGTON -- Three of the industry's largest pharmacy associations have asked the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to change its requirement that pharmacies must be bonded to sell durable medical equipment. Under a final...

Retailers take store brands to next level.(Virtual Roundtable)(Statistical table)
March 2, 2009... It's not news to drug store chains and other retailers that the battered economy has energized sales of private label and store brand products, as financially squeezed consumers do whatever they can to stretch their spending dollars. To...

Jim Devine.(WHO'S WHO)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... JIM DEVINE is president of the Chain Drug Marketing Association, based in Novi, Mich. Representing more than 100 regional drug chains, independent pharmacies, regional drug wholesalers, specialty distributors and buying groups, CDMA has...

Kathleen Horton.(WHO'S WHO)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... KATHLEEN HORTON is the senior director of Rite Aid brands at Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid Corp., one of the nation's largest drug store chains, with more than 4,900 outlets in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Rahul Mehrotra.(WHO'S WHO)(NicePak)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... RAHUL MEHROTRA is the head of marketing for the consumer division at NicePak, an Orangeburg, N.Y.-based manufacturer, distributor and marketer of premium private label and branded wet wipe products.

Deborah Parr.(WHO'S WHO)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... DEBORAH PARR is vice president of merchandising and purchasing at Navarro Discount Pharmacies. The Medley, Fla.-based chain, with 31 stores in South Florida, recently was recognized by the Private Label Manufacturers Association for its...

Gregory Rubin.(WHO'S WHO)(Garcon Labs)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... GREGORY RUBIN is president of Garcon Labs, a division of Garcon Inc. Calabasas, Calif.-based Garcoa manufactures private label and national brand health and beauty aids for the retail, professional and direct-response multilevel salon trades....

Jon Rudden.(WHO'S WHO)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... JON RUDDEN is the director of private brands at Deenfield, Ill.-based Walgreen Co., one of the country's largest drug chains, with more than 6,650 stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Brian Sharoff.(WHO'S WHO)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... BRIAN SHAROFF is president of the Private Label Manufacturers Association. The New York City-based trade association represents more than 3,000 companies from around the world and offers trade shows, programs and services specifically designed...

Convenience, novel services click with consumers.(PHOTO)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- A sour economy and a double-digit decline in disposable camera sales are among several factors posing challenges for chain drug retailers and their supplier partners in the photo category. Still, there is room for optimism. ...

Walgreens rolls out new photo offerings.(PHOTO)(aVinci Media Corp.)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK -- Walgreen Co. has extended its photo category well beyond digital and disposable cameras. The drug chain has teamed up with aVinci Media Corp. to sell aVinci studio photo DVD kits in more than 6,300 stores nationwide. Each kit...

Sony serves up flexible, scalable solution.(PHOTO)(Sony Electronics Inc.)
March 2, 2009... PARK RIDGE, N.J. -- From its SnapLab digital photo printer line to its digital passport and identification photo printing technology, Sony Electronics Inc. is helping chain drug stores and other retailers answer the diverse and ever-changing...

Health care reform on fast track.(News)
March 16, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WASHINGTON -- As expected, the Obama administration has made health care reform a high priority in its first proposed budget and plans to pay for it in part by reducing tax breaks for the wealthy. The budget,...

Sebelius chosen to guide HHS.(News)(Kathleen Sebelius)(Department of Health and Human Services)
March 16, 2009... WASHINGTON -- The choice of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as nominee for secretary of health and human services won praise from pharmacy groups that believe she will effectively support President Barack Obama's initiatives for health care...

NACDS ups ROI for its members.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(return on investments)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
March 16, 2009... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has unveiled plans for what it calls a "multimeeting, multimedia" program to deliver timely and actionable information to NACDS members and participants in the association's...

McKesson ends bid for Uniprix.(Brief article)
March 16, 2009... MONTREAL -- McKesson Canada has withdrawn its offer to buy Uniprix Inc. after the pharmacy owners that control Uniprix failed to tender enough shares to complete the deal. McKesson Canada executives say the failure to complete the...

Walgreens names Pugh top merchant.(News)(appointment of Bryan Pugh )
March 16, 2009... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. has chosen former Tesco USA and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive Bryan Pugh to run its merchandising department. The 46-year-old Pugh, who joined Walgreens earlier this year as vice president of store format...

CVS pharmacists give seniors help with Rxs.(News)(CVS Caremark Corp.)
March 16, 2009... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. has launched "Pack Your Bag," an educational outreach program aimed at the millions of older adults who run the risk of drug interactions because they must take multiple medications to manage or treat one...

Rite Aid wraps up $225 million loan deal.(News)
March 16, 2009... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has completed a $225 million loan that makes up for decreased borrowing availability under a key financing agreement renewed earlier this year. The drug store chain said the accounts receivable...

Retirement on horizon for Rickard.(News)(Brief article)
March 16, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer Dave Rickard says he will retire at the end of the year. The 62-year-old Rickard has been...

Three execs move up at Kinney.(News)(promotions by Kinney Drugs Inc.)(Brief article)
March 16, 2009... GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- Kinney Drugs promoted three executives last month. Vice president of finance and chief financial officer Stephen McCoy has been elevated to executive vice president and CFO, director of retail merchandising Richard...

Another round in fight over AMP goes to Rx.(News)(average manufacturer price)(Brief article)
March 16, 2009... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A federal judge postponed a hearing on the closely watched Medicaid average manufacturer price (AMP) case late last month. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the delayed February 25 hearing means...

Judge puts Medi-Cal cuts on hold.(News)(Brief article)
March 16, 2009... LOS ANGELES -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has praised a federal district judge for blocking a 5% cut in Medi-Cal reimbursements to pharmacies. U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder of Los Angeles issued a preliminary...

Small suppliers receive some useful advice.(News)(Conference news)
March 16, 2009... WHEELING, Ill. -- Nothing is more critical to a drug chain's continued success than novel products, executives from Walgreen Co. told potential new vendors at the third annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores Successful Selling...

Discount Drug Mart celebrates.(News)
March 16, 2009... MEDINA, Ohio -- Discount Drug Mart is a survivor. At a time when most other regional drug chains have long since been swallowed up by national players, the company is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a northern Ohio retailer. ...

Correction.(News)(Correction notice)
March 16, 2009... A story in the March 2 Chain Drug Review inaccurately reported same-store sales trends at Duane Reade in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The chain had yet to report the quarter's results at the time the story was published.

IRI event to spotlight shoppers' 'new lens of affordability'.(Supplier News)(Information Resources Inc.)(Conference news)
March 16, 2009... LAS VEGAS -- Information Resources Inc.'s (IRI's) Summit 2009 will "disrupt thinking," according to Thom Blischok, IRI's president of consulting and innovation. "We're trying to help people understand the kinds of actions that companies...