Drug Store News articles from April 2004

Drug Store News archives from April 2004

Novi, Mich.--Jerry Zlotnik of Medic Drug has passed the torch to the newly elected Chain Drug Marketing Association board chairman Howard Dall of Gladwyne Pharmacy.(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... NOVI, Mich. -- Jerry Zlotnik of Medic Drug has passed the torch to the newly elected Chain Drug Marketing Association board chairman Howard Dall of Gladwyne Pharmacy. Dall will serve a two-year term as the board chairman. Michael Jones of Del...

PLEASANTON, Calif.--Safeway has appointed former PepsiCo executive Brian Cornell to serve as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.(NEWSBITES)
April 28, 2004... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway has appointed former PepsiCo executive Brian Cornell to serve as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Previously, Cornell served as president of the Pepsi-Cola North America's Food Services...

Scottsdale, Ariz.--Wal-Mart Stores pharmacy veteran Jim Martin is this year's recipient of the Sheldon W. Fantle Award, one of the industry's highest service awards.(Achievements and awards)(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Wal-Mart Stores pharmacy veteran Jim Martin is this year's recipient of the Sheldon W. Fantle Award, one of the industry's highest service awards. Martin was honored at the NACDS Annual Meeting held here last Tuesday....

AmerisourceBergen.(NEWSBITES)
April 28, 2004... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- AmerisourceBergen has named Leonardo DeCandia senior vice president of supply chain management, effective immediately. He will report to Terrance Haas, president of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. Previously, DeCandia served...

Weather, tobacco sales hurt Duane Reade's first quarter.
April 28, 2004... NEW YORK -- While a sluggish economy continued to hamper Duane Reade's first quarter sales, chairman and chief executive officer Tony Cuti said positive trends in "leading indicators may suggest a gradual turnaround." Net sales increased...

Albertsons raises annual guidance in light of Shaw's deal.
April 28, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons announced last Thursday after the market closed that it has boosted its annual guidance because of income from the 202 Shaw's stores it plans to acquire. However, the now-ended Southern California grocery strike...

NACDS appoint new board, executive committee members.(The National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced last week changes to its board and executive committee for 2004, including the appointment of Walgreens president and chief operating officer Jeff Rein. Andrew...

Former NYC Mayor Giuliani speaks at NABP annual meeting.(New York City Mayor)(National Association of Boards of Pharmacy)(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... CHICAGO -- The Food and Drug Administration will have to significantly increase inspection site resources nationwide to ensure the safety of imported prescription drugs, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told attendees at the National...

Judge rejects Martin Grass' plea bargain; hearing tomorrow.(Federal District Judge Sylvia Rambo)(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Federal District Judge Sylvia Rambo last Wednesday ruled that the plea agreement reached with Martin Grass, one-time chief executive officer of Rite Aid, was too lenient in light of sentencing guidelines. Grass will be...

CVS ProCare is now PharmaCare Specialty Pharmacy.(mail pharmacy services)(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... LINCOLN, R.I. -- PharmaCare, a subsidiary of CVS, has changed the name of CVS ProCare, its specialty pharmacy division, to PharmaCare Specialty Pharmacy in an effort to reduce market confusion. New signs reflecting the name change are up...

Study: fewer consumers are taking action on DTC drug ads.
April 28, 2004... NEW YORK -- Even though spending on direct-to-consumer ads for prescription drugs has regained momentum, fewer consumers are taking action, according to a new study by global marketing research firm Ipsos. The Ipsos PharmTrends study...

NRF: Mother's Day spending to reach $10.43 billion.(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Consumers plan to spend nearly $100 on mom this Mother's Day, according to a recent survey. Total spending for Mother's Day is expected to reach $10.43 billion. According to a study by the National Retail Federation,...

Franklin Lakes, N.J.--Medco Health Solutions has agreed to pay $29.3 million to resolve issues raised by a 20-state task force of attorneys general, who claimed that Medco pushed doctors to switch patients' prescriptions.(Brief article)
April 28, 2004... FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. -- Medco Health Solutions has agreed to pay $29.3 million to resolve issues raised by a 20-state task force of attorneys general, who claimed that Medco pushed doctors to switch patients' prescriptions. Medco also settled...

Strasbourg, France--on Monday, France's largest drug maker Aventis announced that it has agreed to be acquired by smaller rival Sanofi-Synthelabo for about euro 55.3 billion, or $65 billion. Sanofi's initial offer was euro 48.5 billion.(FINANCIALS)
April 28, 2004... STRASBOURG, France -- On Monday, France's largest drug maker Aventis announced that it has agreed to be acquired by smaller rival Sanofi-Synthelabo for about euro 55.3 billion, or $65 billion. Sanofi's initial offer was euro 48.5 billion. The...

Alexandira, Va.--the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced this week that it has awarded a recording-breaking total of $181,000 in pharmacy school scholarships.(FINANCIALS)
April 28, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced this week that it has awarded a recording-breaking total of $181,000 in pharmacy school scholarships. Since its inception, the Pharmacy Scholarship Program...

Bellevue, Wash.--online health and beauty aid retailer drugstore.com.(FINANCIALS)
April 28, 2004... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Online health and beauty aid retailer drugstore.com is scheduled to release its first quarter earnings today.

Bentonville, Ark.--Wal-Mart Stores stated that it will not construct a regional distribution center in Wallkill, N.Y., because of improvements in the overall efficiency of its supply chain.(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores stated that it will not construct a regional distribution center in Wallkill, N.Y., because of improvements in the overall efficiency of its supply chain. Wal-Mart Stores currently operates 54 discount...

New York--in a move to maintain market share, drug maker Pfizer has developed the Value Card for Viagra program.(NEWSBITES)
April 21, 2004... NEW YORK -- In a move to maintain market share, drug maker Pfizer has developed the Value Card for Viagra program. Under the program, men who pay for their six Viagra prescriptions receive the seventh one free. The program is being offered at...

Online poll results.
April 21, 2004... In a survey at our Web site, drugstorenews.com, 64 percent of respondents say they disagree with a feasibility test in Washington state that enables pharmacists to prescribe birth control. Cast your vote in our poll at drugstorenews.com.

Winn-Dixie Stores.(appointment of Mark Sellers as vice president in Winn-Dixie Stores)(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- Winn-Dixie Stores, which operates about 680 pharmacies, has named Mark Sellers group vice president of retail operations. Sellers has held numerous leadership positions in the company, most recently as division president...

Medicare card program among hot topics at NACDS Annual.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Retailers and suppliers gathered here at The Phoenician resort located at the foot of the Camelback Mountain for the 2004 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting. This year's event attracted 2,300...

Survey: consumers increasingly want pharmacist interaction.(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Pharmacists and other industry members concerned about the impact of mail order and Internet pharmacies should find comfort in a new survey that found that many patients believe it is important to have the opportunity to...

Challenging retail market dampens Ahold's 2003 results.
April 21, 2004... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Dutch retailer Royal Ahold, which is working to recover from a widespread accounting scandal at its U.S. Foodservice unit, nearly broke even in 2003 but its recovery is far from over as challenging U.S. retail markets...

Albertsons to withdraw from New Orleans market.(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Food and drug retailer Albertsons plans to exit the New Orleans market because it has proven to be unprofitable. The company operates seven stores in the New Orleans market, of which six have pharmacies. "In markets where...

Gov. Blagojevich considers importing Rxs from Europe.
April 21, 2004... CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich, an advocate of legalized importation of prescription drugs, is looking at the possibility of importing drugs from Europe in an effort to save Illinois residents money on prescriptions. Blagojevich, who...

Weis Markets' 2004 store plans include additional pharmacies.(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... SUNBURY, Pa. -- This year, Weis Markets has earmarked roughly $93 million for capital investments, which includes 28 store projects. The 158-store chain currently operates 110 pharmacies. At the store level, the retailer will begin work...

Walgreens.com gets high marks for customer satisfaction.(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- According to recent study of 52 retailers, Walgreens ranked No. 5 in terms of satisfying its online customers. The Spring 2004 Online Customer Respect Study, conducted by research and consulting firm The Customer...

Boston radio station WBIX turns to DrSN in wake of Eckerd deal.
April 21, 2004... BOSTON -- Boston business radio station WBIX recently called on Drug Store News' managing editor Rob Eder to provide deeper analysis on what the Eckerd transaction would mean not only for CVS and Brooks Pharmacy but for the drug store...

Zaandam, Netherlands--Dutch retailer Royal Ahold last week disclosed the members of the new executive team that will lead its U.S. Foodservice division, the root of the company's widespread accounting problems last year that stunned the industry.(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Dutch retailer Royal Ahold last week disclosed the members of the new executive team that will lead its U.S. Foodservice division, the root of the company's widespread accounting problems last year that stunned the...

New York--Manhattan-based drug retailer Duane Reade is scheduled to release today its first quarter results.(FINANCIALS)
April 21, 2004... NEW YORK -- Manhattan-based drug retailer Duane Reade is scheduled to release today its first quarter results. Founded in 1960, the chain currently operates 241 stores.

Indianapolis--Drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. on Monday announced that worldwide sales for the first quarter totaled $3.38 billion, up 17 percent, due to strong sales of its Schizophrenia treatment Zyprexa; lung and pancreatic cancer treatment Gemzar; and Evista, a treatment for osteoporosis.(Eli Lilly and Co. first quarter sales )(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... INDIANAPOLIS -- Drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. on Monday announced that worldwide sales for the first quarter totaled $3.38 billion, up 17 percent, due to strong sales of its Schizophrenia treatment Zyprexa; lung and pancreatic cancer treatment...

Sunbury, Pa.--Weis Markets on Tuesday announced that first quarter sales rose 2.3 percent to 520.7 million.(Weis Markets first quarter sales )(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 21, 2004... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Weis Markets on Tuesday announced that first quarter sales rose 2.3 percent to 520.7 million. Same-store sales rose 3 percent. Net income totaled $16.2 million, up 2.9 percent compared with the year-ago period. The retailer...

St. Petersburg, Fla.--Catalina Marketing Corp. announced last week that CVS has decided to discontinue participation in the Health Resource retail pharmacy network because of a shift in priorities.(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Catalina Marketing Corp. announced last week that CVS has decided to discontinue participation in the Health Resource retail pharmacy network because of a shift in priorities. "It is unfortunate that CVS' corporate...

Rockeville, Md.--The Department of Health and Human Services will hold its third Task Force on Drug Importation stakeholders meeting today.(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... ROCKEVILLE, Md. -- The Department of Health and Human Services will hold its third Task Force on Drug Importation stakeholders meeting today. The all-day meeting will include presentations from drugstore.com; import-advocate Gov. Jim Doyle,...

Kroger.(NEWSBITES)
April 14, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Kroger has promoted Della Wall to group vice president of human resources. Wall also has been elected an officer of the company. Wall will report to David Dillon, chief executive officer. Previously, Wall served as corporate...

Needham, Mass.--Brooks Pharmacy has teamed up with Upromise to turn eligible purchases at Brooks into savings for college.(Brooks Pharmacy teamed up with Upromise )(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... NEEDHAM, Mass. -- Brooks Pharmacy has teamed up with Upromise to turn eligible purchases at Brooks into savings for college. "We are especially proud of our involvement with education-related programs," stated Michel Coutu, president and...

Rite Aid returns to annual profitability in fiscal 2004.(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced its fiscal 2004 financial results last week, marking a return to annual profits for the company. In a conference call with analysts, Rite Aid coupled its fiscal good news with developments on its...

Snyder's Drug Stores set to emerge from bankruptcy.(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Just seven months after filing for Chapter 11 protection and moving to shed its unprofitable Drug Emporium discount store division, Snyder's Drug Stores could emerge from bankruptcy this month with a renewed focus on...

Earlier Easter boosts March comp sales at CVS, Longs.(company)(Longs Drug Stores)(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... NEW YORK -- CVS and Longs Drug Stores benefited from an earlier Easter, which brought in shoppers in search of holiday gifts, candy and decorations. CVS estimates that the Easter shift (April 11th this year versus April 20th last year)...

Giant Food to eliminate 650 jobs.(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... LANDOVER, Md. -- Ahold's Giant Food division will cut 650 Giant Landover jobs as part of the next phase of its previously announced integration with the Stop & Shop division, the company announced last week. As of press time, it was...

Pfizer's becomes target of boycott; sues site for selling copy of Lipitor.
April 14, 2004... ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Pfizer has become the second pharmaceutical supplier targeted for consumer boycotts because of its position opposing importing medicines from Canada. The Minnesota Senior Federation announced the "Pfix Pfizer" campaign...

Fred's to add up to 35 pharmacies.(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Fred's, which operates 524 discount general merchandise stores in 14 southeastern states, plans to add up to 35 pharmacies in fiscal 2004, bringing to more than 270 its total number of pharmacy departments. According to...

Albertsons rolls out scanners in Dallas/Ft. Worth area units.
April 14, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Technology that allows shoppers to scan their groceries as they shop is now available at all Albertsons locations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the company announced late last week. The supermarket chain has conducted...

Paris--Sanofi-Synthelabo announced yesterday that it has agreed to sell to GlaxoSmithKline the worldwide rights and a manufacturing facility used to make the blood-thinning medications Arixtra and Fraxiparine as a concession to antitrust authorities.(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... PARIS -- Sanofi-Synthelabo announced yesterday that it has agreed to sell to GlaxoSmithKline the worldwide rights and a manufacturing facility used to make the blood-thinning medications Arixtra and Fraxiparine as a concession to antitrust...

Hartford, Conn.--OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is expected to cut 300 jobs, or about 10 percent of its work force, a source familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.(FINANCIALS)
April 14, 2004... HARTFORD, Conn. -- OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is expected to cut 300 jobs, or about 10 percent of its work force, a source familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. A spokesman for the privately held company could not confirm the...

Harrisburg, Pa.--The sentencing of former Rite Aid chief executive officer Martin Grass, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed indefinitely as the court hears arguments from the U.S. Probation Office, which is pushing for a stiffer 10-year prison term.(FINANCIALS)
April 14, 2004... HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The sentencing of former Rite Aid chief executive officer Martin Grass, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed indefinitely as the court hears arguments from the U.S. Probation Office, which is pushing for a...

Information Resources Inc.(FINANCIALS)
April 14, 2004... CHICAGO -- Information Resources Inc. has hired Michael Duffey as chief financial officer. Previously, he served as chief financial officer of Covansys.

March sales performances.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
April 14, 2004... March sales performances Total monthly % increase Same-store $ sales over sales Company in billions last year % increase Wal-Mart (1) $16.72...

Seattle--Bartell Drugs plans to open in mid-summer a new "supersized" store in Bellevue, Wash.(NEWSBITES)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... SEATTLE -- Bartell Drugs plans to open in mid-summer a new "supersized" store in Bellevue, Wash. The 18,047-square-foot space is a former fulfillment center for Albertsons' home delivery. The size will enable Bartell to offer two...

CAMP HILL, Pa.--Rite Aid is preparing to open in mid-August a new store at Santee Court, the largest reuse project currently under way in downtown Los Angeles.(NEWSBITES)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid is preparing to open in mid-August a new store at Santee Court, the largest reuse project currently under way in downtown Los Angeles. The 12,000-square-foot store will anchor the development. When complete, Santee...

BOULDER, Colo.--Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, which operates eight pharmacies in Colorado, California.(NEWSBITES)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... BOULDER, Colo. -- Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, which operates eight pharmacies in Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington, has opened a prescription compounding center at a Portland, Ore., store. The company already has one pharmacy...

Medicine Shoppe International.(NEWSBITES)
April 7, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International, a Cardinal Health company, has appointed Brian Sudbrink vice president of finance for Medicine Shoppe International and Medicap Pharmacies. Previously, Sudbrink was vice president of finance at...

CVS, Brooks Pharmacy to acquire Eckerd in $4.5 billion deal.
April 7, 2004... LARGO, Fla. -- Finally, it's official. J.C. Penney has agreed to sell Eckerd to both CVS and Brooks Pharmacy, the U.S. division of Canada's Jean Coutu Group, for a total of $4.5 billion. Analysts' estimates ranged from $3.5 billion to...

Erosion of generic Rxs key topic at HHS' import task force meeting.
April 7, 2004... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Pharmaceutical industry leaders testified before the Department of Health and Human Services' Importation Task Force in its second stakeholder meeting held here Monday, arguing that importing Canadian medicines, as it is...

Aurora Pharmacy introduces in-store Quick Care kiosks.(open pharmacy in Butler)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Aurora Pharmacy, a division of Aurora Health Care, is introducing in-store medical exam kiosks-a service that is becoming a trend within the industry. The first Quick Care kiosk opened March 29 in the Brookfield, Wis.,...

Rite Aid, Walgreens post solid FE comp-store sales for March.
April 7, 2004... NEW YORK -- Two leading drug chains released solid front-end same-store sales for the month of March. Rite Aid announced yesterday that front-end same-store sales for the four weeks ended March 27 increased 6 percent. Pharmacy same-store...

Wal-Mart's California plans face vote in Inglewood, Calif.(Wal-Mart opened its first supercenter)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Wal-Mart's California plans faced voters yesterday in Inglewood, Calif., as the retailer looked to settle a two-year battle over a proposed supercenter. If voters approve, Wal-Mart will be able to open its first...

Walgreens announces new minority youth fitness initiative.(healthcare professionals)(African-American communities)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... CHICAGO -- Walgreens is looking to educate the African-American community on children's health, fitness and educational issues through a new minority youth fitness initiative that will kick off in the fall. The program, which will be...

NACDS Foundation, APhA to co-host immunization summit.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation and the American Pharmacists Association will co-host the first of its kind seminar called Immunization Implementation Summit: Operationalizing Pharmacy-Based Vaccine...

TROY, Mich.--shares of Kmart jumped up 16 percent Friday after UBS analyst Gary Balter initiated coverage on the stock with a "buy" rating.(FINANCIALS)(Brief article)
April 7, 2004... TROY, Mich. -- Shares of Kmart jumped up 16 percent Friday after UBS analyst Gary Balter initiated coverage on the stock with a "buy" rating. The coverage "reflects what we believe is a stellar cash flow and asset story, currently...

CAMP HILL, Pa.--Rite Aid is scheduled to release its fourth quarter financial results April 8.(FINANCIALS)
April 7, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid is scheduled to release its fourth quarter financial results April 8. In December, Rite Aid confirmed that it expects sales of 16.5 billion to $16.7 billion in fiscal 2004, which ended Feb. 28, with same-store sales...

SAN FRANCISCO--McKesson Corp. has completed the acquisition of Moore Medical Corp. of New Britain, Conn.(FINANCIALS)
April 7, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- McKesson Corp. has completed the acquisition of Moore Medical Corp. of New Britain, Conn. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Moore Medical is a multichannel marketer and distributor of medical surgical and pharmaceutical...

PHOENIX--the Phoenix division of supermarket chain Safeway plans to invest 2 million in local youth education programs in 2004.(FINANCIALS)
April 7, 2004... PHOENIX -- The Phoenix division of supermarket chain Safeway plans to invest 2 million in local youth education programs in 2004, continuing a 76-year trend of supporting state education programs. The investment will be facilitated through...