Chain Drug Review articles from May 2008

Chain Drug Review archives from May 2008

Wal-Mart broadens discount drug plan.(News)
May 19, 2008... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has expanded its low-price drug program, offering more than 1,000 over-the-counter items for $4 or less and selling some 90-day generic prescriptions for $10. The retailer is also increasing the number...

NACDS: Pharmacy is 'ready to go'.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)
May 19, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The importance of the customer-oriented role of neighborhood pharmacies, the need for chain drug retailers to collaborate with their industry partners and the urgency of supporting pharmacy...

Retailers push e-prescribing.(News)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- Ten major pharmacy chains have launched a national marketing campaign to raise consumer awareness about electronic prescribing. The retailers, which along with participating independent pharmacies represent 26,000 stores, are...

Support for Rx legislation voiced.(News)(Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection Act)
May 19, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has urged federal lawmakers to support a pair of bills it feels will benefit the industry and the nation's pharmacy patients. "Congress has a tremendous opportunity to advance...

Pedigree proposals stir debate.(News)
May 19, 2008... WASHINGTON -- A plan to mandate electronic pedigree requirements to help curb the flow of counterfeit drugs into the nation's pharmaceutical pipeline has met with mixed reactions from industry associations. While it gets the wholehearted...

Suit challenges Medi-Cal cuts.(News)
May 19, 2008... LOS ANGELES -- A coalition of health care groups that includes the California Pharmacists Association sued the state earlier this month to prevent pay cuts to health care providers who treat the poor, elderly and disabled. The...

Canning becomes Health Mart president.(News)(Tim Canning )(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Canning has been named president of Health Mart, McKesson Corp.'s chain of more than 1,900 franchised drug stores. Canning had been senior vice president of the independent segment for McKesson's U.S. Pharmaceutical...

Juliano takes on bigger role as Supervalu promotes execs.(News)(promotion of Rich Juliano, Duane Morris and Mike Byron)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu Inc. has named Rich Juliano group vice president of its home, health, beauty care and general merchandise businesses. Dan Funk, vice president for health and beauty care, will continue to report to Juliano, as will...

Rite Aid helps the visually impaired.(News)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. has launched a nationwide effort to make it easier for customers with visual impairments to shop its stores and its web site. The move is the result of collaboration between Rite Aid and a number of...

Exclusive bath line debuts at Walgreens.(News)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- Walgreen Co. has bolstered its bath and body department with an exclusive, upscale line called Details. With 36 SKUs, the line includes body washes, lotions and mists, as well as hand gels and washes. The products come in six...

Awards will cite the best in H&BAs.(News)(Health and Beauty Aids)
May 19, 2008... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- As thousands of retailers and their trading partners gathered here for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, many were already gearing up for NACDS Marketplace, the industry's next major event. ...

CDMA's expo gets high marks.(News)(Chain Drug Marketing Association)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... NOVI, Mich. -- Educational programs, networking, and a new and improved private label forum highlighted the Chain Drug Marketing Association's 82nd Education and Trade Expo in Orlando, Fla., last month. A 90-minute program on how to...

Standouts honored by Kinney.(News)(Nancy Randall of Kinney Drugs Inc. receives excellence award)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- Nancy Randall, a supervising pharmacist at a Kinney Drugs outlet in Ithaca, N.Y., was given the chain's Quest for Excellence Award last month as Kinney recognized its top pharmacists and stores. "The Quest for...

Former Walgreens execs Bernauer, Brunner honored.(News)(Dave Bernauer and Vern Brunner)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The highest honors in chain pharmacy were awarded during the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Dave Bernauer received the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award, and Vern Brunner was...

Officers, board members elected.(News)(Warren Bryant, Andrew Giancamilli and Larry Merlo)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Warren Bryant, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Longs Drug Stores, was elected chairman of the board (2008/2009) of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores during the NACDS Annual Meeting. Andrew...

Foundation awards scholarships.(News)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A record $256,000 in pharmacy school scholarships was awarded at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting. The grants were distributed by the NACDS Foundation during the pharmacy partners scholarship...

Blockbuster deal is shaking candy sector.(Supplier News)(Mars Inc. acquires Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.)
May 19, 2008... CHICAGO -- Mars Inc. and financier Warren Buffett joined forces last month to acquire chewing gum and mints giant Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for about $23 billion in cash. Industry insiders say the April 28 agreement between Mars and Wrigley has...

Pain relief provided by Zostrix.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... AMITYVILLE, N.Y. -- Diabetic neuropathy occurs in nearly 62% of patients with long-term diabetes, affects as many as 10 million Americans and is implicated in 50% to 75% of nontraumatic amputations. But Health Care Products, a division of...

CVS Caremark gets off to fast start in fiscal '08.(Business)(Financial report)
May 19, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Both net income and revenues showed double-digit growth at CVS Caremark Corp. in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, reflecting a quarter in the preceding year that included only 10 days of operations after the merger with...

Growth moderate at Rx services unit.(Business)
May 19, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Although CVS Caremark's retail pharmacy business generated exceptionally strong results in the first quarter of 2008, pro forma results for the pharmacy services segment, which consists mainly of the operations that were...

SDM profits jump 18.8% on 10.1% rise in revenues.(Business)(Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)(Financial report)
May 19, 2008... TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) got off to a roaring start in fiscal 2008 as a seemingly unshakable combination of steady sales growth, an ever-improving sales mix and ongoing operating efficiencies generated double-digit increases in first...

Market deals chain drug stocks 4.8% setback in April.(Business)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- Chain drug stocks declined in April. Still, industry analysts remain committed to the premise that chain drug stores will be able to weather the current economic slowdown better than most other business sectors. For the month...

Rx ready to assume its rightful place.(My Turn)
May 19, 2008... A new era for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores was ushered in last month at the organization's 2008 Annual Meeting. It promises to be a time when community pharmacy, which has labored in the backwaters of the American health care...

NACDS weighs in on health care reform.(My Turn)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores )
May 19, 2008... One of the most significant developments at the recent National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting is only now beginning to receive the attention it deserves. A day before the event's first business session, the NACDS board...

Drug chains remain reliable growth engines.(Industry overview)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- A momentous year for chain drug retailing did not deter the industry from its consistent growth track, as the sector's 2007 sales climbed 7.7%. That was barely off the 2006 increase of 7.9% and matched the 2005 figure. The...

At the end of the day, Rx is big drawing card.
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- Nothing is more critical to chain drug stores' success these days than pharmacy. Drug store prescription counters bring in more than 70% of sales industrywide and, in some cases, provide retailers with upward of 85% of their...

Hot new products hold promise of 'self-improvement'.
May 19, 2008... CHICAGO -- Rejuvenation has emerged as a primary driver of front-end sales at drug chains, according to Thom Blischok, president of Information Resources Inc.'s global innovation and consulting practice. The pursuit of personal renewal led...

Economic concerns impact health care.(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Health care, including pharmacy, is not a recession-proof business, a recent survey suggests. Forty-eight percent of Americans are cutting back on their health care spending because of fears about the economy, according...

O-T-C health care.(The Market)(sale of over the counter drugs)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- Over-the-counter medications continue to be an integral part of chain drug stores' merchandise mix, helping to drive sales in other categories and at the pharmacy counter. Over the past year the O-T-C health care category in...

Beauty care.(The Market)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers continue to grow their share of the beauty category with innovative merchandising strategies and by quickly adapting to the latest trends. With more beauty advisers in drug store aisles than ever, beauty...

Consumables.(The Market)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- After more than a decade in which the trade class continued to increase the variety of food and beverages it carries, chain drug retailers have become a force in the consumables sector. As a result, sales in the 19 product areas...

General merchandise/nonedibles.(The Market)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- In the past few years the general merchandise section at drug stores has undergone a significant change. The major cause of this redesign is the revolutionary change in the photo category. Digital cameras have altered the...

Market analysis.(Sales Survey)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... MARKET ANALYSIS TOTAL MASS MARKET SALES * CATEGORY $SALES * % CHANGE VS.YEAR AGO O-T-C HEALTH CARE...

Top 50 H&BA brands.(Sales Survey)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... TOP 50 H&BA BRANDS RANK BRANDS DOLLAR SALES * % CHANGE VS.YEAR AGO HEALTH AND BEAUTY AIDS 1 Prilosec OTC antacid $216,894,600 +3.70...

Top 50 consumables brands.(Sales Survey)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... TOP 50 CONSUMABLES BRANDS RANK BRANDS DOLLAR SALES * % CHANGE VS.YEAR AGO CONSUMABLES 1 Coke Classic regular $170,648,100 +11.36...

Top 50 general merchandise brands.(Sales Survey)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... TOP 50 GENERAL MERCHANDISE BRANDS RANK BRANDS DOLLAR SALES * % CHANGE VS.YEAR AGO GENERAL MERCHANDISE 1 Duracell Coppertop $207,207,500 ...

Top 50 nonedibles brands.(Sales Survey)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... Top 50 Nonedibles Brands % CHANGE DOLLAR VS.YEAR RANKS BRANDS SALES * AGO ...

O-T-C health care.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... O-T-C Health Care TOTAL MASS MARKET SALES * %CHANGE VS. YEAR CATEGORY ...

Cough/cold.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... COUGH/COLD CHEST RUBS Dollar sales % Market Leading brands ** (000) change share DOLLAR SALES Vicks VapoRub $25,673 +21.1% ...

Digestives.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... DIGESTIVES ANTACID TABLETS Dollar sales % Market Leading brands ** (000) change share DOLLAR SALES Prilosec OTC $216,894 ...

Oral care.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... DENTAL ACCESSORIES/TOOLS Dollar sales % Market Leading brands ** (000) change share DOLLAR SALES Waterpik $15,301 +5.1% ...

Beauty care.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... BEAUTY CARE TOTAL MASS MARKET SALES * $SALES % CHANGE CATEGORY VS. YEAR ...

Hair care.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... HAIR CARE HAIR COLORING Dollar sales % Market Leading brands ** (000) change share DOLLAR...

Skin care.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... SKIN CARE ACNE TREATMENTS Dollar sales % Market Leading brands ** (000) change share ...

Consumables.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... CONSUMABLES TOTAL MASS MARKET SALES * % CHANGE VS. YEAR...

General merchandise/nonedibles.(Sales Survey: Power Categories)(Statistical table)
May 19, 2008... GENERAL MERCHANDISE/ NONEDIBLES CATEGORY TOTAL MASS MARKET SALES * % CHANGE ...

Workers in short supply.(RX: RETAIL PHARMACY)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... The first of the nation's baby boomers who begin reaching age 65 in 2011 will encounter a health care work force that is too small and unprepared to address their specific health needs, warns a recently released report by the Institute of...

Sanofi sets investment.(RX: RETAIL PHARMACY)(Sanofi Pasteur Inc. plans to construct research and development facility)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Sanofi Pasteur Inc. plans to invest about $100 million (Canadian) in a new research and development facility in Toronto. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with completion anticipated by 2010. Pediatric combination vaccines and...

Merck to cut 1,200 jobs from its sales force in U.S.(News)(Merck & Company Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Merck & Co. is reducing the size of its sales force in the United States by about 1,200 positions. "We are taking this step as part of our continuing efforts to optimize our cost base and improve Merck's effectiveness," comments Kenneth...

Novartis' future.(News)(Novartis AG)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Novartis AG could follow its recent purchase of Nestle SA's stake in the Alcon eye care company with additional acquisitions. "Diagnostics is a business field worth expanding, and so are vaccines and genetics," explains chief executive officer...

Novo Nordisk grows.(News)(Novo Nordisk A/S plans to add 400 workers)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Novo Nordisk AS, an international producer of insulin, plans to add about 400 workers to its Plainsboro, N.J., facility. The leader in diabetes treatments also plans to lease a five-story, $20 million building for 15 years.

Cephalon gift.(News)(Cephalon Inc. donates $4 million to the Franklin Institute)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Cephalon Corp. has donated $4 million to the Franklin Institute. The financial gift from the biopharmaceutical giant is for the development of a new exhibit built around the theme of neuroscience and the brain.

Vaccine ineffective.(News)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... This year's influenza vaccine appears to have been significantly less effective than in previous seasons, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC, along with the World Health Organization, has recommended a total...

New president is designated to lead Cell Therapeutics.(Newsmakers)(Craig Philips of Cell Therapeutics Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Craig Philips has been named president of Cell Therapeutics Inc. (CTI). He had been vice president and general manager of Bayer Corp.'s health care oncology unit. At CTI Philips will have direct responsibility for all development and commercial...

Dan Kerpelman.(Newsmakers)(appointments in Bio-Optronics)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Dan Kerpelman has been designated president and chief executive officer of Bio-Optronics. He recently acquired a majority of the shares of the Rochester, N.Y.-based health care technology company. Kerpelman previously held executive positions...

Changes at Wyeth.(Newsmakers)(Bernard Poussot to become chairman)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Bernard Poussot, president and chief executive officer of Wyeth, will become chairman on June 27 upon the retirement of Robert Essner. The company says the executive changes are the culmination of a succession plan that began in April 2006 when...

Rachelle Wan.(Newsmakers)(appointments in Prime Therapeutics Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Rachelle Wan has joined Prime Therapeutics as vice president of pharmacy trade relations. She had been a corporate account manager at Amgen Inc. before joining the pharmacy benefits management company.

Robert Laverty.(Newsmakers)(appointments in Eisai Corporation of North America)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Robert Laverty has been appointed vice president of United States corporate communications at Eisai Corp. He has over two decades of global corporate, product, policy, and research and development communications experience.

Canada promises reforms.(Focus)
May 19, 2008... OTTAWA -- Canada has plans to speed up and simplify the process for licensing new drugs. It also plans to beef up consumer protection legislation dealing with product safety. Clearly wishing to emphasize the importance his government...

Study considers future of Health Care System.(RX: RETAIL PHARMACY)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to become the places to for medical treatment in the near future)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other direct-to-consumer health care delivery institutions will become "the [places] to go for medical treatment" in the near future, according to Burrill & Co. In the report "Life Sciences: A 20/20...

Community pharmacists have role as obesity counselors.(RX/News)
May 19, 2008... Much has been said and some of it has been accomplished to establish pharmacists as paid health condition counselors. For pharmacists wishing to become disease counselors, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and chronic obstructive...

Study eyes methods for compounding vaginal suppositories.(RX/News)(CutisPharma Inc.'s First-Progesterone VGS)
May 19, 2008... WOBURN, Mass. -- A study comparing the preparation of progesterone vaginal suppositories using CutisPharma Inc.'s FIRST--Progesterone VGS compounding kits with the preparation of such suppositories using traditional compounding methods was...

Biovail appoints Wells chief executive officer.(RX/News)(Bill Wells of Biovail Corp.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... TORONTO -- Former Loblaw Cos. chief financial officer Bill Wells has become chief executive officer of Biovail Corp. Wells joined Biovail's board in 2005 and has been the company's lead director since June 30, 2007. As CEO, Wells will...

CVS Caremark inks deal with AT&T.(RX/News)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. has been awarded a contract to provide pharmacy benefits management services to AT&T Global's employees and retirees, starting next year. According to the companies, CVS Caremark will provide a...

The fight against cancer.(Branded Drugs)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Drug makers are testing a record 750 new medicines to help treat cancer, according to a recently released report from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

GSK to seek alliances.(Branded Drugs)(GlaxoSmithKline PLC to prefer partnerships over acquisitions)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Collaborations and partnerships will be preferred over acquisitions in future business strategies at GlaxoSmithKline PLC, according to new chief executive officer Andrew Witty.

Aton broadens the distribution of Lacrisert for dry eyes.(RXs)(Aton Pharma Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... New Jersey-based Aton Pharma has launched an expanded distribution program for Lacrisert. The once-daily, sustained-release prescription insert is said to help retain moisture and lubricate the eye. "Lacrisert is a unique prescription treatment...

Actonel approval.(RXs)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new once-a-month dose of Actonel for postmenopausal osteoporosis. The 150-mg dose was cleared for reducing the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, The product has been on...

ADHD drug.(RXs)(Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC's Vyanse gets approval for adults)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Shire PLC's attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder drug Vyanse has been approved for adults. The product was launched last July as a treatment for ADHD in children from age 6 to age 12.

Bowel disease.(RXs)(FDA has approved UCB Inc.'s Cimzia)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... The FDA has approved UCB Inc.'s Cimzia, an experimental drug for treating Crohn's disease. The chronic condition affects over 1 million men and women worldwide. According to the agency, patients initially prescribed Cimzia should receive an...

Relistor O.K.(RXs)(Progehics Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Wyeth receives approval of Relistor)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Progehics Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Wyeth have received regulatory approval of Relistor. The injection is for opiate-induced constipation, a condition often encountered by patients who are prescribed morphine and other opiates to reduce...

Confidence continues.(RXs)(Merck & Company Inc. chief executive officer Richard Clark remains confident about Cordaptive despite its recent disapproval)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Merck & Co. chief executive officer Richard Clark remains confident about the future of Cordaptive as a cholesterol treatment despite its recent rejection by federal regulators. The FDA sent the pharmaceutical manufacturer a nonapprovable...

Perrigo given FDA approval for O-T-C nicotine gum.(O-T-Cs)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Perrigo Co. has received Food and Drug Administration approval to market an orange-coated nicotine gum. The Food and Drug Administration says Perrigo's product is bioequivalent to GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's Nicorette. The gum is...

Tums QuikPak.(O-T-Cs)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare has created a $20 million marketing campaign for Tums QuikPak instantly dissolving antacid powder. The new campaign is part of Tums' "Bring It On" strategy, designed to reenergize the classic brand with flesh...

O-T-C research.(O-T-Cs)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Sixty-two percent of over-the-counter Zyrtec buyers took an allergy prescription in the last 12 months, according to NielsenHealth. "This is a signal that O-T-C alternatives to allergy prescriptions may become the preference for both consumers...

Compact sizes.(O-T-Cs)(Xlear Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Xlear Inc. says its saline nasal spray made with Xylitol is now available in compact sizes for children and adults. The patented product is now packaged in a 0.75-ounce bottle. Xylitol is said to help prevent pollutants, pollens and certain...

Packaging pact.(O-T-Cs)(Natrol Inc. contracts with Bio Minerals NV)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Natrol Inc. has entered into a packaging, distribution and sales agreement with Belgium-based Bio Minerals NV for BioSil. The product is billed as an advanced collagen generator that naturally nourishes the body's beauty proteins for healthy...

Rx sales rise 6.4% in '07.(Focus)
May 19, 2008... NORWALK, Conn. -- IMS Health says that in 2007 the global prescription market expanded by 6.4% over the preceding year, taking the estimated total market to $712 billion based on sales. The United States remains the largest national market...

Drug makers need to master Web.(Branded Drugs)
May 19, 2008... LONDON -- Although the Internet has altered the retail landscape and revolutionized the airline industry, pharmaceutical companies have been slow to take advantage of the marketing opportunities the Web offers. But the same cannot be said of...

Acquisition to bolster Roche Pipeline.(Branded Drugs)(Roche AG acquires Piremed Ltd)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... BASEL, Switzerland -- Roche AG is acquiring Piremed Ltd., a privately owned United Kingdom company that focuses on therapeutics targeting Pl3-kinase (Pl3-K).The Pl3-K pathway is known to play an important role in the progression of diseases and...

Roxane rollout.(Generic Drugs)(Roxane Laboratories Inc. launches ropinirole hydrochloride tablets)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Roxane Laboratories Inc. has launched ropinirole hydrochloride tablets. The generic product, which is AB-rated to Requip, is available in several dosage strengths in bottles of 100.

Camber debut.(Generic Drugs)(Hereto Drugs Ltd.'s zidovudine gets FDA approval)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... Camber Pharmaceuticals says that its parent company, Hereto Drugs Ltd. (India), has received FDA approval for zidovudine 300-mg tablets, the generic version of GlaxoSmithKline PLC's Retrovir.

Report finds generics 'stronger than ever'.(Focus)(Report)
May 19, 2008... NEW YORK -- As the patents for well-known branded prescription drugs expire, the market for generics has grown into a $36 billion entity and is becoming a competitive threat for pharmaceutical companies in the process, recent research from...

GPhA weighs in on supply chain.(Generic Drugs)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) has praised federal lawmakers' efforts to establish a system to help protect the drug distribution chain from counterfeit drugs. But it says such a system should be risk-based and...