Drug Store News articles from December 2006

Drug Store News archives from December 2006

Trading blows, Target and Wal-Mart roll out $4 generic offers nationwide.(News)(Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
December 11, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- It's a battle of generic giants. Upping the stakes in a price-cutting showdown with Wal-Mart Stores over pharmacy market share, Target Corp. now is offering its own $4 generic discount program in all 1,287 Target pharmacies...

Wal-Mart generics shine, sales decline.(News)(drug program)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The rollout of Wal-Mart's $4 generic drug program drove strong customer traffic to the retailer's pharmacies, but it wasn't enough to offset weakness in other areas and prevent November same-store sales from sliding into...

CVS enhances Medicare education with online plan comparison too.(CVS Corp.)
December 11, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- As part of CVS' ongoing effort to educate seniors about their Medicare Part D options, the pharmacy retailer has turned to the Web to launch an online Medicare Plan Comparison Tool designed to help seniors find the Medicare...

Rapid growth of specialty meds a pharmacy opportunity, report says.(News)(specialty medications)
December 11, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Specialty pharmaceutical products to treat cancer, immune disorders, infertility and other conditions will present community pharmacy with greater sales-growth opportunities in the future than traditional prescription drugs,...

Rx satisfaction: Anthony Tavolaro, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.(Interview)
December 11, 2006... The 2006 Pharmacy Satisfaction Digest, based on a detailed survey by Wilson Health Information LLC of more than 32,000 households in 23 markets and sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, was the most detailed snapshot yet taken of...

RX America drives Longs' third-quarter sales.(News)(Longs Drug Stores Corp.)
December 11, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Revenues from Medicare Part D plans continued to be a boon for Longs Drugs as it posted an other strong quarter. Longs reported a 42 percent increase in third-quarter income of $12.7 million owing mainly to Medicare drug...

Familymeds to roll into new Toyota truck plant.(News)(FamilyMeds Group Inc.)(Toyota Motor Corp.)
December 11, 2006... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- Building upon its strategy to operate and locate Worksite Pharmacies for larger employers seeking to curb health care costs and offer employees greater accessibility and convenience, Familymeds Group has signed a deal with...

'Power drug store' anchors Supervalu's new Premium Fresh & Healthy.
December 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- Supervalu is gearing up for a year of transition in 2007 with the launch of a $1 billion remodel program that will focus on some of the 1,124 stores it acquired this year from Albertsons. And many of those remodels will feature a...

Save Mart acquires Albertsons' division.(Supermarket Rx News)(Save Mart Supermarkets)(Albertson's L.L.C.)
December 11, 2006... MODESTO, Calif. -- Save Mart Supermarkets is looking to double in size and add 78 new pharmacies to its roster by acquiring Albertsons LLC's northern California division. Albertsons LLC is the company formed by the Albertsons stores purchased...

HHS secretary plugs Medicare Rx on visit to Winn-Dixie pharmacy.(Supermarket Rx News)(Health and Human Services)(Michael Leavitt)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Adding an unintended but welcome flourish to Winn-Dixie Stores successful reorganization last month, Health and Human Services secretary Michael Leavitt chose a downtown Winn-Dixie store here to mark the opening of the new...

MinuteClinic receives highest rating in Minnesota health care quality report.(News)
December 11, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- In-store health clinic provider MinuteClinic, which is a subsidiary of CVS, scored the highest rating for testing and treating pediatric sore throats in a recent health care quality report. MinuteClinic received a 100 percent...

ValuMarket offer discount plans.(News)(Giant Eagle Inc.)
December 11, 2006... PITTSBURGH -- Two more supermarkets have leaped onto the price-cutting bandwagon and are offering discounted drug programs. Following Wal-Mart's recent announcement, Giant Eagle is offering $4 generic drugs at all of its 93 Giant Eagle...

Healing finds its 'Place' at CARE.(News)(CARE Pharmacies)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- CARE Pharmacies last month announced it will be highlighting wound care in approximately 30 of the company's 60 locations, as part of an endcap program, called Healing Place, that was pieced together by Cardinal Health, focusing...

Military's TRICARE adds OTC switch products to drug formulary.(News)(over-the-counter medicines)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- With the prospect of more one-time pharmaceutical blockbusters like Claritin and Prilosec headed for the OTC aisles, more third-party payers are exploring whether such OTC switch products equate to significant health care savings...

Albertsons' Shadle dies at 57.(News)(Albertson's L.L.C.)(Mark Corbett Shadle)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Longtime Albertsons executive Mark Corbett Shadle died unexpectedly at his home in Boise, Idaho, on Oct. 28. He was 57 years old. Shadle had more than 20 years of experience in the retail pharmacy business and spent the better part of it...

New product watch: innovation index.(News)
December 11, 2006... Each month, through an exclusive partnership with Hamacher Resource Group, Drug Store News presents an evaluation of top new product launches, based on an evaluation of key criteria (see below). Item Bayer Sugar Free ...

RFID Health Care Industry Adoption Summit.(Making the Scene)
December 11, 2006... Bruce Harder of VeriSign and Shay Reid of AmeriSourceBergen Ted Ng and Steve Tadevich Of McKesson Harry Myers and Steve Mays of AmeriSourceBergen Michael Forehand of AstraZeneca and Ronald Yakubison of Merck Steve Cobb of...

Gobble, gobble: eating competition forum for product intro.(Making the Scene)
December 11, 2006... The Axia3 Thanksgiving Invitational competitive eating contest was an appropriate forum to introduce Axia3, a fast-acting natural heartburn solution from Natrica. Competitors devoured entire turkeys at the Thanksgiving Invitational on Nov....

Winn Dixie makes Food Bank winner.(Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Mackey Weaver of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and Dave Henry from Winn-Dixie present a check to cover 171,000 pounds of food collected in the Jaguars' 12th Annual Food Drive to Patrick Colley and Tracy Hale of the Second Harvest Food Bank....

Katz funding is 'largest ever' for pharmacy school.(Katz Group Canada Ltd.)
December 11, 2006... EDMONTON, Alberta -- Canadian drug store giant The Katz Group has joined with Alberta s provincial government to make what the company describes as the largest-ever one-time gift to a Canadian. pharmacy, school, totaling 14 million dollars...

Take Care opens Walgreens clinics.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... CHICAGO -- Take Care Health Systems opened four Health Corner Clinics in Chicago-area Walgreens stores late last month, the company announced. The new locations are in Libertyville, Montgomery Mount Prospect and Naperville, Ill. Four...

Customer connection all about health care.(the pharmacy at Wal-Mart)
December 11, 2006... Don't call Wal-Mart's new $4 generic program a stunt. And it's probably too soon to call it a coup, either. Because right now for Wal-Mart it's still just about a connection--connecting customers to Wal-Mart pharmacy and then connecting...

National campaign targets moms, seniors.(THE PHARMACY AT WAL-MART[R])
December 11, 2006... It's been several years since Wal-Mart Stores edged out Kroger Co. as the nation's top grocery retailer. Now. the world's largest merchant is pouring part of its huge marketing budget into a nationwide campaign to reposition and expand its...

$4 generics price cuts take spotlight.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
December 11, 2006... Wal-Mart Stores' $4 generic drug offer started quietly enough, with a single-market test beginning Sept. 21 in Tampa, Fla. But fueled by Internet reports and word-of-mouth, the promotion quickly unleashed a flood of interest from consumers and...

New Rx design offers more openness, accessibility.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
December 11, 2006... Wal-Mart's pursuit of growth in recent years has led the company to develop alternative store designs in some unconventional locations and generally be more accommodating to the design sensibilities of local communities, which approve new...

Leveraged strengths help stalk Medicare share.(Prescription drug plans)
December 11, 2006... When the Medicare Part D prescription drug program rolled out nationwide in January, Wal-Mart was ready and waiting. And the nation's dominant retailer is poised to capture a greater share of the seniors' prescription market as Part D enters...

Education enhances customer relationships.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s patient education initiative)
December 11, 2006... While most of chain pharmacy focuses on convenience and service delivered through smaller, more accessible boxes compared with mass and grocery retailers, Wal-Mart is attempting to drive pharmacy growth and differentiate itself from its...

Disaster-relief efforts rewrite the rules.(THE PHARMACY AT WAL-MART[R])
December 11, 2006... As the nation's dominant retailer, Wal-Mart undoubtedly faces its share of scrutiny from many big-box opponents, but when Hurricane Katrina last year released its fury on the Gulf Coast, the company's disaster-relief efforts had such a big...

University of Pittsburgh expands program with Rite Aid pharmacists.
December 11, 2006... The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy recently has expanded its collaboration with Rite Aid, cycling second-year family medicine residents through a four-week rotation with a local Rite Aid pharmacist to help promote increased...

FDA official cites drug-safety needs.(News)(Food and Drug Administration)
December 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- Better information-sharing and communications will go a long way to improving the safety of newly approved drugs, a high-ranking official of the Food and Drug Administration said in mid-November. Addressing a meeting of the...

Medicare Part D fails to relieve state Medicaid cost burdens.(Chain Pharmacy)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- States are facing increasing pressure to cut costs in the pharmacy benefit portion of their Medicaid programs, and recent changes in the way Medicare and Medicaid fund those benefits have done little or nothing to alleviate that...

Walgreens purchases build specialty pharmacy division.(Chain Pharmacy)(Walgreen Co. acquired Bradley's Center Pharmacy and OneFannin Pharmacy)
December 11, 2006... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Continuing a determined campaign to grow its Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy business through selective purchases of highly specialized pharmacies, Walgreen Co. has acquired two Houston-area operations, Bradley's Center Pharmacy...

SureScripts unveils Gold Standard to reward Rx providers.(Chain Pharmacy)(SureScript Systems Inc. new certification system)
December 11, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Family pyhsicians remain the most formidable challenge in the health care system's uphill climb to establish a computer-driven electronic communications network and patient record-keeping database shared by doctors,...

Medco settles false claims charges.(Chain Pharmacy)(Medco Health Solutions Inc.)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Resolving at least the legal aspect of one long-running dispute over the sometimes murky relationships among pharmacy benefit managers, drug makers and health plans, Medco Health Solutions has agreed to pay the United States $155...

FDA warns RFID needed now to protect drug safety.(Andrew von Eschenbach)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Andrew von Eschenbach, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, last month addressed the "critical importance" of implementing radio frequency identification technology to keep the American drug supply the safest...

New pedigree rules help secure drug supply.(Prescription Drug Marketing Act)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- This month saw the introduction of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act's pedigree rules for the distributors of pharmaceuticals. Pedigrees are records that must be held by certain companies in the drug supply chain, showing...

Cardinal Health supply chain pilot program nets RFID success.
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The call to action by Mark Parrish, group president of pharmaceutical supply chain services for Cardinal Health and chairman of the board for the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, for the creation of a coalition to...

McKesson/Axway e-pedigree software helps meet new rules.
December 11, 2006... SAN FRANCISCO -- E-pedigrees are the only feasible way for the pharmaceutical industry to move forward in terms of guaranteeing the safety of their products, according to Paul Fowler, vice president of health care strategy for software company...

Supplement standards.(David Spangler)(Interview)
December 11, 2006... The leading trade associations for the dietary supplement industry in October announced a voluntary, industry-wide protocol--the Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients--to facilitate an efficient exchange of information between...

Name brands target kids and mothers using flavors, new delivery systems.(Adolescent medicine)
December 11, 2006... Children's over-the-counter products may be a niche offering compared with the much bigger adult nonprescription drug market, but what a niche. Simply put, if you can get mom to buy one brand over another for her children, what are the chances...

The 'real' underwear feel.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... While incontinence-related products may be one of those categories consumers would rather not have anyone see them shopping, the sale of adult incontinence pads and activewear is still on the upswing--the $25.4 million category grew 10.4...

Perrigo recalls acetaminophen caplets.(OTC/Natural Health)
December 11, 2006... BETHESDA, Md. -- Perrigo last month initiated a voluntary recall of 383 lots of acetaminophen 500 mg caplets, totaling some 11 million bottles containing varying quantities, after discovering that faulty manufacturing equipment was producing a...

Dual-label Plan B finds place behind counter.(Duramed Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- Barr Pharmaceutical's subsidiary Duramed began shipping its new dual-label Plan B (levonorgestrel) emergency contraceptive to pharmacies late last month, representing the first medicine that is nonprescription for one...

Amerifit Nutrition.(Supplier News)(Culturelle)(mergers and acquisitions)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Supplier News--Amerifit Nutrition earlier this year acquired Culturelle, a leading probiotic dietary supplement, from ConAgra Foods for an undisclosed sum. With respect to science, Culturelle's Lactobacillus GG [bacteria strain] is the gold...

Galileo Health Partners.(Supplier News)
December 11, 2006... Galileo Health Partners last month announced a first-of-its-kind interactive health and wellness assessment tool called iMeasure Fitness. In the privacy of their homes, individuals complete a series of fitness and wellness tests and questions,...

Cadbury Adams.(Supplier News)(surveys)(Survey)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Cadbury Adams last month released findings of its "Kill the Cough" survey, revealing Americans' aversion to coughing. An overwhelming 72 percent of respondents complained that a cough made them feel worse mentally, not just physically. "We all...

McNeil Nutritionals.(Supplier News)(Viactiv)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... McNeil Nutritionals launched a calcium supplement for teenage girls, called Viactiv for Teens Calcium Soft Chews. According to the company, 9-out-of-10 teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 19 do not get enough calcium from diet alone. The...

Floss and picks.(David Fox)(Interview)
December 11, 2006... Oral care may be a mature category, but through innovation and greater education, retailers and manufacturers can work together to further grow sales in the segment. According to David Fox, president of DenTek Oral Care, that is a key focus for...

Fresh ideas, new technologies keep smile on face of mature oral care category.
December 11, 2006... There's no disputing that the oral care category is a mature one; however, innovation does spark new growth in oral hygiene from time to time and enables retailers to drive store traffic and bolster the bottom line. "The market for oral...

Axe extends its aromatic reach.(Unilever Andina S.A.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Unilever's successful Axe brand is expanding beyond body sprays, shower gel and deodorant gel with the launch of its new AxeLab Eau De Toilette. Ann Gottlieb, who also designed such fragrances as Obsession, Eternity and CKOne, developed...

Nailene.(Pure Match Ultra Natural Nails)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Supplier News--Looking to bring customization into the artificial nail segment, Nailene has developed its new Pure Match Ultra Natural Nails. The skin-complementing shades are available in six colors, including ivory, beige, natural, buff,...

Goody.(Bella Forma Collection)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Goody is launching its new Bella Forma Collection for spring 2007. The accessory collection blends ancient Roman inspirations with modern influences. The collection includes more than 30 accessories that not only accent hair, but also the...

CoverGirl.(CoverGirl )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... CoverGirl has unveiled the latest addition to its Queen Collection: Jewels of The Sahara. Inspired by CoverGirl spokes-model Queen Latifah, the collection is an assortment of jewel-colored eye-shadows, moisturizing lip colors, lip glosses,...

Bump Patrol.(Bump Patrol Razor Bump Intensive Treatment )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Under its new "Smooth Moves" campaign, Bump Patrol recently debuted a new look, line extension and shaving video to help educate men of color on the brand. While the new look conveys a more upscale image, with new dark blue metallic...

Kid-friendly flavors, characters aid parents in battle of the brush.
December 11, 2006... Looking to help parents win the battle of the brush and make oral hygiene more fun, manufacturers have done everything from create products with fun flavors to develop brushes featuring the "in" licensed character to make toothbrush handles...

PowerBar.(Pria Grain Essentials nutrition bars)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... PowerBar introduced Pria Grain Essentials nutrition bars for women. The bars, made with 70 percent certified organic ingredients, provide 23 vitamins and minerals, including 40 percent of women's recommended daily calcium requirement, and are...

Jones Soda Co.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Specialty beverage maker Jones Soda Co. introduced green pea soda as part of its Holiday Pack of bottled drinks available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $10 to $15. Other flavors include turkey and gravy, dinner roll, sweet potato...

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. will launch a citrus-blend product in its Skoal line of premium moist smokeless tobacco in 2007. The product, featuring premium American-grown tobacco with the refreshing taste of citrus, will be available in long cut...

SGN Nutrition.(X-Balance )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... SGN Nutrition has introduced the X-Balance all-natural, chocolate-flavored drink designed to give children the antioxidant power of eight servings of fruit and vegetables as recommended by doctors. The product is a powder that can be mixed with...

PepsiCo.(PepsiCo acquired Naked Juice Co.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... PepsiCo announced it will acquire premium juice maker Naked Juice Co. from private equity firm North Castle Partners for an undisclosed amount. Earlier this year, the company purchased Stacy's Pita Chips and IZZE Beverages, which makes...

Soft drink manufacturers concentrate on diet products as category grows.
December 11, 2006... As consumers migrate toward more healthful beverage choices, manufacturers of carbonated soft drinks are looking for new ways to capitalize on that market. Diet products are one key area of growth for the category. Mike Cinque, Coca-Cola's...

Special K aids dieting goals.(Special K20 Protein Waters, Special K Protein Meal Bars and Special K Protein Snack Bars)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Research has shown that most women struggle to meet their weight-control goals, and Kellogg Co. has introduced Special K20 Protein Waters, Special K Protein Meal Bars and Special K Protein Snack Bars to help in the ups and downs of dieting. ...

BIC.(Bic Corp.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... BIC is launching its first retractable permanent marker in black, blue, red and green ink. The BIC Mark-it Retractable permanent marker features a convenient pen-style size, clickable cap for one-hand use, molded grip zone and fine-point tip....

Jasco.(Jasco Window Corp.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Jasco is introducing GE-branded consumer electronics accessories in 2007. The Quantum Digital Antenna features a three-panel design made to receive digital television signals from multiple angles and eliminate the need to reposition the...

Greenies.(Dog treat dental chews)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Greenies has launched the next generation of dog-treat dental chews. Based on patent-pending science rooted in dog biology, the new Greenies are daily dental chews for adult dogs that help clean teeth and freshen breath. The soft, chewy texture...

Fox Home Entertainment.("John Tucker Must Die")(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Fox Home Entertainment on Nov. 14 released the DVD "John Tucker Must Die," the movie in which a group of betrayed girlfriends band together to seek revenge on John Tucker. The DVD includes features, such as a never-before-seen extended version,...

Greeting cards get innovative for 2007.(General Merchandise)
December 11, 2006... Greeting cards are a $7.5 billion business in the United States that's growing more diverse with the introduction of new card lines and innovative designs. Industry leaders American Greetings and Hallmark have product launches set for spring...

Winter warm-up.(ColdHeat Cordless Heated Seat)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... The ColdHeat Cordless Heated Seat provides warmth on a cold morning in the car, while attending an outdoor sporting event or in the office or home. The microprocessor-controlled heating system features three temperature settings that will warm...