Drug Store News articles from February 2006

Drug Store News archives from February 2006

Minneapolis--Albertsons last week named Judy Spires president of its eastern division.(NEWSBITES)
February 22, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Albertsons last week named Judy Spires president of its eastern division. Spires has been serving as president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Albertsons division. Carl Jablonski, who has been president of Albertsons' eastern division...

Cincinnatti--the Kroger Co. announced Thursday that senior vice president John Burgon will retire, effective Sunday, after 33 years in the grocery business.(NEWSBITES)
February 22, 2006... CINCINNATTI -- The Kroger Co. announced Thursday that senior vice president John Burgon will retire, effective Sunday, after 33 years in the grocery business. The company stated Burgon's successor will be announced at a later date.

St. Louis--Medicine Shoppe International announced Tuesday the appointment of Brian Lewis, vice president of finance west group for Cardinal Health, as vice president of finance for MSI.(NEWSBITES)
February 22, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International announced Tuesday the appointment of Brian Lewis, vice president of finance west group for Cardinal Health, as vice president of finance for MSI. Lewis will be responsible for the financial functions...

Minneapolis--Nash Finch on Thursday appointed chairman Allister Graham as interim chief executive officer to replace Ron Marshall, who announced his departure on September 1.(NEWSBITES)
February 22, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Nash Finch on Thursday appointed chairman Allister Graham as interim chief executive officer to replace Ron Marshall, who announced his departure on September 1. Also, the company's general counsel, Kathleen McDermott, resigned...

Lawmakers scramble to fix Medicare Part D logjam.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2006... WASHINGTON -- A growing chorus of discontented seniors and restive lawmakers has Republican and White House officials scrambling to shore up support for the two-month-old Medicare Part D drug benefit program. Lending urgency to those...

Wal-Mart mandated to stock Plan B in Massachusetts.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2006... BOSTON -- After last week's ruling in Massachusetts requiring Wal-Mart to stock and sell Plan B in its 44 pharmacies in the state, the retailer is now considering carrying the drug in all of its stores nationwide. The only other state...

Merck wins second short-term usage Vioxx trial.(Merck and Company Inc.)
February 22, 2006... WHITE HOUSE STATION, N.J. -- Merck is winning the short-term battles, but the jury is still out on the long-term battles. On Friday, a federal court ruled in favor of the drug company concerning its Vioxx painkiller. The plaintiff in the...

WV gov. challenges leaders to take Medicaid fight to states.
February 22, 2006... BOCA RATON -- Gov. Joe Manchin III (DWV), among the list of political heavy hitters who headlined the business sessions here, last week, at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association's Annual Meeting, challenged industry leaders to step up their...

WHC ups Oklahoma ante.(Walgreens Home Care buys Canadian Valley Medical Solutions)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2006... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens Home Care on Thursday agreed to buy Canadian Valley Medical Solutions in Oklahoma City, Okla. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. CV Medical Solutions is an accredited provider of home infusion...

CVS adds more MinuteClinics.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2006... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- MinuteClinic on Tuesday opened two health care centers at CVS stores in Grove City and Hilliard, marking the first retail-based health care centers in Columbus. MinuteClinics are staffed with certified family nurse...

Florida mimics 'Wal-Mart bill'.
February 22, 2006... TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Sen. Skip Campbell last week introduced a bill modeled on Maryland's law that requires large employers to spend a certain amount of payroll on health care. Under the Florida bill, businesses with more than...

DrugMax buys 3 specialty Rx.(Carmichael Cashway Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2006... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- DrugMax announced yesterday that it plans to acquire the stock of Carmichael Cashway Pharmacy, an operator of three pharmacies in Lafayette, Crowley and Lake Charles, La. The deal is expected to close by March. The...

Bentonville, Ark.--Wal-Mart on Tuesday forecast earnings for the current fiscal year of $2.88 to $2.95 per share, below analysts' forecasts of $2.99.(FINANCIALS)
February 22, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart on Tuesday forecast earnings for the current fiscal year of $2.88 to $2.95 per share, below analysts' forecasts of $2.99. Net income for the fourth quarter ended Jan 31 rose 12.5 percent to $3.6 billion. Net...

Longueuil, Quebec--The Jean Coutu Group's U.S. retail sales slipped 1.4 percent to $709.4 million in January, reflecting the closure of 78 underperforming Eckerd stores in the first quarter.(FINANCIALS)
February 22, 2006... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group's U.S. retail sales slipped 1.4 percent to $709.4 million in January, reflecting the closure of 78 underperforming Eckerd stores in the first quarter. Same-store sales fell 0.1 percent, while pharmacy...

Walnut Creek, Calif.--Longs Drug Stores on Tuesday raised its fourth-quarter earnings outlook following a windfall of revenue from the sale of a distribution center.(FINANCIALS)
February 22, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores on Tuesday raised its fourth-quarter earnings outlook following a windfall of revenue from the sale of a distribution center. Longs now expects earnings of 87 cents to 92 cents per share, up from the...

Scottsdale, Ariz.--The Dial Corp plans to acquire Gillette's Right Guard, Soft & Dri and Dry Idea antiperspirant/deodorant brands from Procter & Gamble for about $420 million.(FINANCIALS)
February 22, 2006... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Dial Corp plans to acquire Gillette's Right Guard, Soft & Dri and Dry Idea antiperspirant/ deodorant brands from Procter & Gamble for about $420 million. The acquisition is set to close by the end of the first quarter...

Woonsocket, R.I.--in its next step to combat counterfeit drugs, CVS announced Feb. 8 that its Indianapolis distribution center received verified-accredited wholesale distributors status from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- In its next step to combat counterfeit drugs, CVS announced Feb. 8 that its Indianapolis distribution center received verified-accredited wholesale distributors status from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy....

Bentonville, Ark.--Wal-Mart Stores Tuesday launched a multimedia ad campaign focused on surprising shoppers with the range and quality of Wal-Mart's merchandise.(NEWSBITES)
February 15, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Tuesday launched a multimedia ad campaign focused on surprising shoppers with the range and quality of Wal-Mart's merchandise. Nine spots will run on network and national cable stations and in national and...

Indianapolis--Marsh Supermarkets last week reported it would cut about 25 jobs at its headquarters, including those of four members of the chairman's family, and close some stores in Indiana by the end of the month.(NEWSBITES)
February 15, 2006... INDIANAPOLIS -- Marsh Supermarkets last week reported it would cut about 25 jobs at its headquarters, including those of four members of the chairman's family, and close some stores in Indiana by the end of the month. The grocer, which put...

Bush's Medicaid comments insult pharmacy industry.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The White House plan for deeper cuts in Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements was enough to stir angry protests from the nation's retail pharmacy leaders after the Bush administration released its $2.7 trillion 2007 budget Feb. 6....

FDA revisits RFID implementation for pharmaceuticals.(radio frequency identification)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... BETHESDA, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration convened a public workshop last week to discuss the challenges in implementing RFID track-and-trace technology for pharmaceuticals across the industry in an effort to thwart counterfeiters....

CVS expands usage of 'intelligent' anti-theft software.(IntelliVid Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... CAMBRIDGE -- CVS on Monday expanded its usage of IntelliVid Corp.'s Video Investigator proactive anti-theft video software, the vendor reported. A developer of intelligent video analysis software for retail loss prevention, IntelliVid...

NACDS starts member services group to evaluate programs.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Monday made several organizational changes, including the creation of a member services group. Jim Whitman will become the senior vice president for member programs. The...

Tesco to enter U.S. market.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... LONDON -- British retailer Tesco plans to expand into the United States with a new concept developed for Americans, the company reported Thursday. The company plans to make its long-awaited arrival next year, with the first stores...

Pfizer mulls sale of OTC biz.(over the counter )(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... NEW YORK -- Pfizer confirmed Feb. 7 that the company may either place its consumer health care business up for sale or spin it off as a separate company. "The objective of the review is to unlock the value of the business for Pfizer...

NPD: toy sales down 4 pct.(NPD Group announcement)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... NEW YORK -- The American International Toy Fair got under way on a down note Sunday on word that toy sales fell nearly 4 percent in 2005. The NPD Group used the opening day to announce that toy sales rang up $21.3 billion last year...

Wal-Mart to remodel stores.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart this year will begin an 18-month remodeling program that touches 1,800 stores and, according to vice chairman John Menzer, is the most significant remodeling program in the company's history. Menzer noted...

Toronto--Shoppers Drug Mart reported an 18.8 percent jump in fourth-quarter profit Feb. 8, crediting new merchandising and marketing initiatives for the improved sales.(FINANCIALS)
February 15, 2006... TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart reported an 18.8 percent jump in fourth-quarter profit Feb. 8, crediting new merchandising and marketing initiatives for the improved sales. Shoppers Drug Mart earned $99.6 million in the quarter, compared with...

Minneapolis--Target reduced its sales forecast for February, citing the impact of the snowstorm that hit the Northeast Sunday.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target reduced its sales forecast for February, citing the impact of the snowstorm that hit the Northeast Sunday. The retailer on Monday reported that same-store sales are now expected to rise between 2.5 percent and 3.5...

Washington--antitrust authorities at Federal Trade Commission approved plans on Friday by Alberto-Culver to sell its Sally Beauty chain to Regis Corp., stating they will not take any action to block the deal.(FINANCIALS)
February 15, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Antitrust authorities at Federal Trade Commission approved plans on Friday by Alberto-Culver to sell its Sally Beauty chain to Regis Corp., stating they will not take any action to block the deal. Alberto-Culver announced the...

Washington--U.S. retail sales were up 2.3 percent in January, nearly triple the expected increase.(FINANCIALS)
February 15, 2006... WASHINGTON -- U.S. retail sales were up 2.3 percent in January, nearly triple the expected increase. December's numbers were revised to a 0.4 percent increase, rather than the initially reported 0.7 percent gain.

Bernauer urges Congress to ease chain pharmacy's Medicare woes.(David Bernauer)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Speaking for the retail pharmacy industry his chain helps lead, Walgreen Co. chairman and chief executive officer David Bernauer is calling on Congress to retool parts of the Medicare Part D drug benefit program six weeks after...

Medicare Part D, Medicaid reform headline NACDS regional conference.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Medicare Part D and Medicaid reform remain the top two challenges to chain pharmacy, noted National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Tony Civello, during his address Monday morning at the 2006 regional chain...

Bush budget: betraying pharmacy's trust with a 'one-two punch'.
February 8, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Still reeling from passage of a 2006 budget reconciliation bill that cuts $3.6 billion from Medicaid reimbursements to community pharmacies, the drug store industry was staggered again this week by White House plans to cut...

CVS caps of 'year of accomplishment' with sales of $37b.
February 8, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Capping off what chairman, president and chief executive officer Tom Ryan described as "a year of accomplishment"--highlighted by the completion of the Eckerd integration and underscored by the strong numbers it has posted...

Longs 4Q sales up 3.8 pct.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores reported a 3.8 percent increase in preliminary fourth quarter sales of $1.24 billion, with same-store sales rising 2 percent. The 476-store chain also reported preliminary sales of $4.67 billion for...

'Sickout' closes 36 Rx stores.
February 8, 2006... CARTERET, N.J. -- Pathmark's pharmacies are open again after a "sickout" of its pharmacists closed 75 percent of its New York locations on Monday, according to a company spokesman. The spokesman, Richard Savner, on Tuesday said the...

Publix to add in-store clinics.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets and The Little Clinic have signed an exclusive agreement to open medical clinics within Publix stores, the companies announced Monday. The companies did not specify how many clinics will be built,...

AAFES restricts dextro sales.(Army & Air Force Exchange Service )(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... DALLAS -- The Army & Air Force Exchange Service on Friday voluntarily placed an age restriction on the sales of products containing dextromethorphan, a common cough-suppressing ingredient, to military service men and women over the age of 18...

Milwaukee--Roundy's Supermarkets might get a new owner within the next 18 months, according to Roundy's chief executive officer Robert Mariano.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... MILWAUKEE -- Roundy's Supermarkets might get a new owner within the next 18 months, according to Roundy's chief executive officer Robert Mariano. Roundy's operates 130 Pick 'n Save, Copps and Rainbow stores in Wisconsin, Illinois and...

Deerfield, Ill.--Walgreens Health Initiatives, the pharmacy benefit management subsidiary of Walgreen Co., on Tuesday added Medicine Shoppe and Rite Aid to its Advantage90 network.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2006... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens Health Initiatives, the pharmacy benefit management subsidiary of Walgreen Co., on Tuesday added Medicine Shoppe and Rite Aid to its Advantage90 network. The move adds about 5,000 pharmacies to its network....

Los Angeles--Yucaipa Cos., a private equity firm based in Los Angeles, increased its stake in Wild Oats to 14.9 percent from 9.2 percent, according to a regulatory filing on Friday.(FINANCIALS)
February 8, 2006... LOS ANGELES -- Yucaipa Cos., a private equity firm based in Los Angeles, increased its stake in Wild Oats to 14.9 percent from 9.2 percent, according to a regulatory filing on Friday. In the filing, Yucaipa noted it might engage in talks...

Deerfield, Ill.--for the second time in seven months, Walgreens increased benefits for employees on active military duty.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- For the second time in seven months, Walgreens increased benefits for employees on active military duty. On Thursday the company announced that employees on active military duty will receive special benefits for up to 42...

Washington--the Centers for Disease Control last week reported that influenza activity has plateaued three weeks into January--10.8 percent of possible influenza cases tested positive for influenza between Jan. 15 and Jan. 21.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Disease Control last week reported that influenza activity has plateaued three weeks into January--10.8 percent of possible influenza cases tested positive for influenza between Jan. 15 and Jan. 21. During that...

New York--in recognition of American Heart Month, Rite Aid, Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club will host programs geared at improving heart-health awareness.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- In recognition of American Heart Month, Rite Aid, Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club will host programs geared at improving heart-health awareness. As part of its "Healthy Heart" program, Rite Aid pharmacies will offer patients a free...

Costco pharmacy growth could hit Part D snag in '06.
February 1, 2006... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Costco plans to open up to 30 warehouses in fiscal 2006 as it ramps up expansion that someday could double its U.S. store count to 700 stores. The warehouse retailer is coming off a record year in fiscal 2005 with...

Walgreens sued over emergency contraceptive.
February 1, 2006... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Claiming they were unjustly fired for refusing on moral grounds to fill prescriptions for the "morning after" birth control pill known as Plan B, four former Walgreens pharmacists in Illinois have filed suit against the...

Teva-Ivax merger makes for $8.9b generic powerhouse.
February 1, 2006... JERUSALEM -- Already the No. 1 provider of generic pharmaceuticals, Teva became some six times larger with the completed merger of Ivax in a deal worth $2.7 billion. The Teva/Ivax combo, to be called Teva, is expected to reach $8.9 billion in...

FDA approves Exubera; first inhaled insulin debuts mid-year.(Food and Drug Administration)(developed by Pfizer Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- In a move that could drastically change diabetes management, the Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Pfizer's Exubera, the first inhaled insulin, expected to hit the market mid-year. Analysts project Exubera...

DrugMax, clarity partner.(Clarity Pharmacy Services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- Specialty pharmacy and drug distribution provider DrugMax has teamed up with Clarity Pharmacy Services to provide pharmacy benefit administration services to employers. The move, combined with its Worksite Pharmacy...

WMT steps up RFID plans.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. using RFID readers )(radio frequency identification equipment)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is set to rollout hand-held RFID readers this year that will help store associates keep shelves stocked. A Wal-Mart spokeman also said the retailer is investigating rolling out forklift readers in Sam's...

Pamida names new president.(Larry Johnson replaces Mike Hopkins)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... OMAHA, Neb. -- Pamida on Friday appointed Larry Johnson president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Johnson replaces Mike Hopkins, who is leaving Pamida to pursue other interests, according to the company. Johnson...

Coughlin pleads guilty.(Tom Coughlin, former employee of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Former Wal-Mart Stores vice chairman Tom Coughlin pled guilty on Tuesday to five counts of wire fraud and one of tax evasion. Coughlin faces up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine for each count of wire...

Wilmington, Del.--the Pharmacy Franchise Owners Association, made up of Medicine Shoppe and Medicap franchise owners, on Thursday renewed and extended a preferred supplier agreement with AmerisourceBergen.(FINANCIALS)
February 1, 2006... WILMINGTON, Del. -- The Pharmacy Franchise Owners Association, made up of Medicine Shoppe and Medicap franchise owners, on Thursday renewed and extended a preferred supplier agreement with AmerisourceBergen. Under the terms of the deal,...

Bentonville, Ark.--Wal-Mart estimated on Saturday that its January same-store sales are expected to rise 4.7 percent, which would be at the high end of its 3 percent to 5 percent projection.(FINANCIALS)
February 1, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart estimated on Saturday that its January same-store sales are expected to rise 4.7 percent, which would be at the high end of its 3 percent to 5 percent projection. For the week ended Saturday, food sales outpaced...

Whitehouse Station, N.J.--Merck & Co. on Tuesday posted earnings of $1.12 billion for the fourth quarter, up from last year's $1.1 billion when Merck took a charge to cover expenses for Vioxx lawsuits.(FINANCIALS)
February 1, 2006... WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. -- Merck & Co. on Tuesday posted earnings of $1.12 billion for the fourth quarter, up from last year's $1.1 billion when Merck took a charge to cover expenses for Vioxx lawsuits. Excluding special items, the company...

Cincinnati--Procter & Gamble on Friday reported earnings rose 29 percent to $2.55 billion for the October-December period.(FINANCIALS)
February 1, 2006... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble on Friday reported earnings rose 29 percent to $2.55 billion for the October-December period. The growth, driven primarily by the base P&G business and the addition of Gillette, was partially offset by...