Drug Store News articles from February 2009

Drug Store News archives from February 2009

Facing anxious investors, Walgreens pledges renewal.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Walgreen Co.)(Conference news)
February 9, 2009... CHICAGO -- Frigid mid-winter temperatures held attendance at Walgreens' annual meeting here down to about 700 or so determined shareholders, far fewer than the 2,200 who packed the Navy Pier ballroom last year for the event. But it wasn't just...

Wasson named CEO.(Walgreen Co. appointed Greg Wasson)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Walgreens' three-month search for a permanent chief executive concluded on Jan. 26, when the company announced that the job was going to president and COO Greg Wasson. Wasson will retain his title of president...

Walgreens woos payers with 'Complete Care'.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Complete Care and Well-Being)(Interview)
February 9, 2009... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- It will be the first "transparent" nationwide pharmacy, health-and-wellness alternative available to employers, showing them the true costs of the health services they sponsor for their workers and dependents. It will...

Consumers put ExtraCare in saving.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(CVS Pharmacy Inc.)
February 9, 2009... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Consumers are concerned about the economy and are looking for ways to save money, so it comes as little surprise that shoppers at CVS/pharmacy increasingly are taking advantage of the already successful ExtraCare loyalty...

Walmart aids university in Rx education effort.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(university of Charleston School of Pharmacy)
February 9, 2009... CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The future of pharmacy education has arrived in West Virginia where the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy has created an innovative educational practice setting in partnership with Walmart. The partnership...

Fla. Sam's Club caters to community's 'eyes & ears'.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Sam's Club)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... LADY LAKE, Fla. -- Competitors of conventional chain drug stores come in many forms, and in this central Florida retirement haven the newest entrant to the market is Sam's Club. The $44 billion warehouse dub division of Walmart Stores...

New HBC-laundry aisle merch test aims to clean up supercenter inconvenience.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(health, beauty and personal care)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Walmart has added an assortment of key health, beauty and personal care items to the laundry and household chemicals aisle of select stores in an effort to make the large units easier to shop. At the retailer's newest...

Berry, Moran emerge as pharmacy's DME champions.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003)(Marion Berry and Jerry Moran)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Law overview)
February 9, 2009... WASHINGTON -- Reps. Marion Berry, D-Ark., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., last month filed legislation--H.R. 616-that would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to exempt pharmacists from accreditation requirements for the Medicare...

Discount Drug Mart adjusts to role as DME provider.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Discount Drug Mart Inc.)(durable medical equipment)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... MEDINA, Ohio -- Discount Drug Mart remains one of the very few chain drug operators to become accredited under guidelines established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Ohio retailer concluded that process in 2007 in order...

NACDS focuses on marketing for annual Walgreens New Vendor Days.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Conference news)
February 9, 2009... WHEELING, Ill. -- The current economic crunch has prompted consumers to change the way they shop, retailers to adjust the way they do business and manufacturers to alter how they go to market, and that change also will be evident in this year's...

Take Care's road to 1 million patients a testament to quick ramp-up of mail clinics.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Take Care Health Systems)
February 9, 2009... CONSHOCKEN, Pa. -- Take Care Health Systems recently announced that it has treated i million patients--news that is undoubtedly a testament to the success and need of retail-based clinics. "The retail clinic model dearly fills an unmet need...

George H. Bartell Jr. passes away at 92.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Obituary)
February 9, 2009... SEATTLE -- George H. Bartell Jr., chairman emeritus of the nation's oldest pharmacy retailer, Bartell Drug Co., died on Jan. 21 in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a short illness. He was 92 years old. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bartell Jr., the...

CVS Caremark donates $1.8m.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- The CVS Caremark Charity Classic recently donated $1.8 million to local charities and earmarked some funds to assist families in need during the current economic crisis. "The CVS Caremark...

A&P ramps up Live Better! Program.(SUPERMARKET RX NEWS)(Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... MONTVALE, N.J. -- Grocer A&P kicked off at the start of the year pharmacy benefit management services through its Live Better! Wellness Program. In partnership with independently owned 4D Pharmacy Management Systems, employer groups now...

Chains implement nutritional labeling systems to help consumers make healthier choices.(SUPERMARKET RX NEWS)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK -- In 30 states, at least one-quarter of the adult population is obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While lack of exercise contributes to the obesity epidemic, so do bad diets. With Americans looking...

HIT: the $20 billion needle in the haystack.(OPINION)
February 9, 2009... Dear Mr. President, In my first letter to you (see Drug Store News, Dec. 9, 2008, "Dear Mr. President-Elect," page 12), I implored you to make fixing the U.S. healthcare system the enduring legacy of your presidency. That's why I...

The Budding Boolees: Part 2.(OPINION)(Brief article)(Cartoon)
February 9, 2009... HELLO, GRANDFATHER. FLORA WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE STORY OF HOW THE BOOLEE FAMILY STARTED THE DEPARTMENT OF INTESTINAL DEFENSE (D.I.D.). DO YOU HAVE TIME TO TELL US THE STORY THIS AFTERNOON? PLEASE, GREAT-GRANDFATHER, TELL US THE STORY......

10th Drugstore News[R]: Industry Issues Summit.
February 9, 2009... Q: There has been a lot of talk around the idea of retail stores as media centers; you have hundreds of millions of shoppers coming through DRUG STORE NEWS[R] the doors every week, and that's a lot of eyeballs, and that creates significant...

Drug makers aim to hasten drug approval process.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
February 9, 2009... BOSTON -- The Food and Drug Administration's review time for new drugs has declined in recent years, yet the development of new drugs still takes eight years. A study by the Tufts University Center for the Study of Drug Development...

Anderson named IPC CEO.(CHAIN PHARMACY)(The Independent Pharmacy Cooperative appoints Don Anderson )(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. -- The Independent Pharmacy Cooperative has named Longs Drug Stores veteran Don Anderson president and CEO. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anderson, who served as VP business development for Longs until its sale to CVS...

Pharmacy groups urge caution on technology.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
February 9, 2009... WASHINGTON -- It's dubbed HIT, for health information technology, and its adoption by every stakeholder in the U.S. healthcare system will be a boon for both patients and the cash-strapped public and private health plan payers funding their...

Generics pay toll as economy spirals down.(ECRM[R] Generics)(Statistical data)
February 9, 2009... In dismal economic times, lower-cost product alternatives that save consumers money are supposed to thrive, or at least hold their own. But in the midst of a global financial meltdown, even the market for generic drugs is faltering. The...

Industry celebrates past act, readies for future.(ECRM[R] Generics)(Statistical data)
February 9, 2009... For the pharmaceutical and retail pharmacy industries, Sept. 24, 2009, will mark the 25th anniversary of the date that Ronald Reagan signed the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, more commonly known as the...

Generics industry applauds Obama's picks.(ECRM[R] Generics)
February 9, 2009... President Barack Obama looks serious about increasing generic drug utilization and easing the way for follow-on biologic medicines to reach the market. Obama's choices to lead the powerful Department of Health and Human Services, former Sen....

Teva Pharmaceuticals has launched levetiracetam tablets, the U.S. subsidiary of the world's largest generic drug maker announced.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Teva Pharmaceuticals has launched levetiracetam tablets, the U.S. subsidiary of the world's largest generic drug maker announced. The tablets are available in 250-mg, 500-mg and 750-mg strengths in 120-tablet bottles, as well as in the 1-g...

Indian generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced an extension of its tender offer for Taro until Jan. 30.(Supplier News)(Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Indian generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced an extension of its tender offer for Taro until Jan. 30. Sun originally offered to acquire Taro through subsidiary Alkaloida Chemical Company Exclusive Group on June 30, 2008....

Kali Labs.(Supplier News)(drug approval)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of Pfizer's Xanax, FDA records showed. The agency approved Kali Labs' alprazolam tablets in the 0.25-mg, 0.5-mg, 1-mg and 2-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat panic...

Actavis Totowa.(Supplier News)(venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets)(drug approval)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... The FDA has approved a generic version of Wyeth's Effexor, according to FDA records. The agency gave approval to Actavis Totowa's venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets in 25-mg, 37.5-mg, 50-mg, 75-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is used to...

Paddock's.(Supplier News)(drug approval)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... A generic version of Medicis' Loprox has received FDA approval, according to the agency. The agency approved Paddock's ciclopirox gel in the 0.77% strength on Jan. 7. The gel is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis. Medicis' non-acne...

Biosimilars hope to 'follow-on' the generic path.(ECRM[R] Generics)
February 9, 2009... As a new presidential administration and Congress break in their leather chairs, the generic drug industry will wait to hear about a prize it has long desired: a regulatory pathway for biosimilars. Experts and lobbyists have predicted that...

FDA expands HQ offices.(ECRM[R] Generics)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently expanded its capacity by adding a sixth building at its Federal Research Consolidation project in Silver Spring, Md. As part of FDA's Office of the...

Matrix Labs'.(Supplier News)(drug approval)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... The FDA has approved a generic version of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Zerit, agency records showed. The agency approved Matrix Labs' stavudine capsules in 30-mg and 40-mg strengths. The capsules are used to treat HIV infection. The branded version...

Watson Pharmaceuticals and Warner Chilcott have reached settlement and license agreements to resolve patent litigation related to two of Warner Chilcott's oral contraceptive products.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Watson Pharmaceuticals and Warner Chilcott have reached settlement and license agreements to resolve patent litigation related to two of Warner Chilcott's oral contraceptive products. Under the terms of the agreements, Warner Chilcott has...

The FDA has approved generic versions of AstraZeneca's Prilosec (omeprazole).(Supplier News)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... The FDA has approved generic versions of AstraZeneca's Prilosec (omeprazole). Generic drug makers Mylan and Novartis' generics division Sandoz announced that they each received FDA approval for their respective versions of omeprazole...

CBO biosimilars report gets mixed industry response.(ECRM[R] Generics)(United States. Congressional Budget Office)
February 9, 2009... The release in December of a report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office detailed the potential savings that biosimilars could provide to the U.S. healthcare system, but it also got a mixed response from the drug industry. ...

Study sees e-prescribing boosting generics.(ECRM[R] Generics)
February 9, 2009... Paperless prescribing is boosting generic drug usage, a new study revealed. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that doctors who prescribe electronically are shifting more of their patients to generic drugs, and,...

Consolidation sweeps industry as patents expire.(ECRM[R] Generics)
February 9, 2009... As the pool of expiring drug patents looks set to drain over the next few years, analysts have long predicted that the generic drug industry will see a wave of consolidations as companies find competition increasingly difficult. To an...

Conte v. Wyeth addresses generics' side effects.(ECRM[R] Generics)
February 9, 2009... A patient taking a generic drug who experiences adverse side effects or injuries might be able to hold liable the manufacturer of the branded product that originally published the drug's safety information even if the patient only took the...

Bill reintroduced to protect generic drug industry.(ECRM[R] Generics)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... A practice used by large pharmaceutical companies that the generic drug industry considers anticompetitive may face a challenge in Congress. Missouri Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's reintroduction of H.R. 573, which would prohibit the...

Ranbaxy hits milestone in branded development.(ECRM[R] Generics)(Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(GlaxoSmithKline PLC)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... A company best known for making generic drugs announced last month that it hit a milestone in its effort to develop branded drugs. Ranbaxy said Jan. 9 that it "achieved a significant landmark" in its drug discovery and development...

Bill hailed to block 'authorized' generics.(ECRM[R] Generics)
February 9, 2009... Efforts by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and other federal lawmakers to block the use of so-called authorized generics by branded drug makers to stave off generic competition is winning strong endorsement from the generic drug industry. In...

Vitamin D, kids' probiotics top of mind for industry.(OVER THE COUNTER)(Conference news)
February 9, 2009... A number of overarching themes emerged last month from the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition conference held in Atlanta, including some product innovations in support of a growing vitamin D segment and a few new brands targeting probiotics...

FDA still undecided about Zegerid switch.(OVER THE COUNTER)(Food and Drug Administration)(Schering-Plough Corp.)(Editorial)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... SAN DIEGO -- Contrary to reports published last month, the Food and Drug Administration has given no indication as to which direction the agency is leaning in considering the over-the-counter switch application of the proton-pump inhibitor...

Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems.(Supplier News)(Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems)(Whole Foods Market Inc.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems last month launched its children's chewable Little Angels multivitamin/mineral in an exclusive partnership with Whole Foods Market. For every 10 bottles of Little Angels purchased at Whole Foods Market,...

Alaven Consumer Healthcare.(Supplier News)(bifera iron supplement)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Alaven Consumer Healthcare last month launched its Bifera iron supplement at the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition conference. Unique to the iron supplement category, Bifera offers both heme (protein-based) and nonheme (plant-based) iron....

Carma Labs.(Supplier News)(Carma Laboratories Inc.)(sales promotions)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... A video titled, "Share the Tingle with Caution," created by Ryan Leer of Eden Prairie, Minn., took the grand prize in a video contest sponsored by Carma Labs, makers of Carmex lip balm products, where consumers entered video responses to the...

Keep the doc away with Voots.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... ATLANTA -- The prevalence of childhood obesity oftentimes drives the debate behind appropriate nutrition for children. And parents are challenged balancing the convenience of a fast-food option against making sure their children get three...

Beauty shoppers switch focus to nail care aisles.(BEAUTY CARE)(Editorial)
February 9, 2009... The economic crunch is prompting U.S. consumers to tighten their grips on their wallets, but, fortunately for mass-market retailers and beauty manufacturers, there's a glimpse of a silver lining in the nail care aisle. As many beauty shoppers...

CVS/pharmacy, celebs get charitable.(BEAUTY CARE)(Best Buddies)(Lollipop Theater Network)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... LOS ANGELES--CVS/pharmacy donated $100,000 to two charities on behalf of celebrities attending Access Hollywood's "Stuff You Must" Lounge in January. The donations are part of CVS/pharmacy's third consecutive beauty sponsorship of the lounge,...

CVS Caremark.(Retailer News)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... CVS Caremark is targeting cash-strapped beauty shoppers by promoting store brands, including a store-brand anti-age cream that's as much as 30% cheaper than L'Oreal's Advanced Revitalift; noted a recent Bloomberg report. Several other pharmacy...

Procter & Gamble.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Procter & Gamble is rolling out in February its new Herbal Essences Hydralicious collection. The formula features two shampoos swirled together and paired with a moisturizing conditioner. Hydralicious is available in three versions:...

Almay.(Supplier News)(color cosmetics)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Almay has launched for 2009 its new Almay pure blends line of color cosmetics. The hypoallergenic formulas are made from 95.8% to 98.2% natural ingredients. The products are free of talc and added parabens. The packaging is made from 44%...

Coty Inc.(Executive News)(appointment of Sergio Pedreiro )(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Coty Inc. announced that Sergio Pedreiro joined the company as of Feb. I as its new CFO. He succeeded Michael Fishoff, who left the company at the end of December 2008. Pedreiro brings more than 20 years of financial expertise to Coty....

CTRL-ing acne by gender.(WHAT'S HOT)(Videsante Pharmaceutical)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... SUMMIT, N.J. -- Videsante Pharmaceuticals is looking to bring some change to the acne care segment with the launch of its new CTRL gender-specific acne treatment. Positioned as the first gender-specific, topical, nonprescription acne...

Mass appeal: do serious ethnic hair care shoppers take mass seriously?(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)(Survey)
February 9, 2009... For ethnic consumers--especially African-American shoppers--hair care is a serious purchase that is not taken lightly. This is a fact that beauty supply stores have been privy to for years, and they have stocked their shelves with the brands...

Virtual mirror kiosks make beauty shopping 'EZ'.(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK -- There's no doubt that beauty is an important segment of the business for mass market retailers; however, many are still struggling with how to make the consumer's shopping experience easier and more enjoyable without an in-store...

Coty's Rimmel London introduces new products, faces.(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK -- Coty Inc.'s Rimmel London brand is gearing up for 2009 with new faces for its 2009 campaign, and an array of new beauty products. Rimmel London offered beauty editors a glimpse of the new products at a recent press event held...

Turning satisfaction into picture-perfect sales.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)
February 9, 2009... Drug chains have expanded photo operations with new services for digital camera users. As customers have come to understand the services, chains are evaluating their initiatives to determine how to enhance sales potential and stand out from the...

Nature, licensing to rule the floor at Toy Fair.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK -- Licensed playthings, toys tied to the environment and Internet-based products are trends to look for at Toy Fair, held here Feb. 15 to 18 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Licensed programs will be making a big splash as...

Warner Home Video.(Supplier News)(Dallas: The Complete Eleventh Season)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... The backstabbing begins April 21 when "Dallas: The Complete Eleventh Season" comes to DVD from Warner Home Video. "An American classic and one of the most popular series in TV history, 'Dallas' continues to be a consumer favorite on DVD,"...

Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video are launching the second of a four-wave rollout of four-title sets from the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection on May 5.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video are launching the second of a four-wave rollout of four-title sets from the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection on May 5. TCM began promoting the collection rollout--which will extend throughout...

A milky base to Green Toys.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Sustainability and the environment remain an issue with consumers, and Green Toys is preparing to address that with a product line that uses recycled plastic milk containers as its base material. The company focuses on classic...

First natural sweetener hits beverage category.(CONSUMABLES)
February 9, 2009... The beverage industry is cautiously optimistic about the Food and Drug Administration's approval of a zero-calorie natural sweetener derived from stevia. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are rushing new products containing the sweetener to market in the...

Private-label brands profit from thrifty trend.(CONSUMABLES)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK -- A ramped up consumer thriftiness is causing a spike in private-label consumables sales. "Private label is protecting or growing share in nearly two-thirds of the top 100 consumer packaged goods categories, an increase of 12...

Chips, cookies fuse for low-calorie, sweet snack.(WHAT'S HOT)(Nutritious Creations)(Hybrid Cookie)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... BAYSHORE, N.Y. -- Nutritious Creations has launched a Hybrid Cookie, a cross between a cookie and a chip that satisfies consumers' desire for crunchiness and chewiness, but keeps the calorie count to a two-point Weight Watcher value. ...

Sweet sales in sour economy: Carole Walker, Mars Snackfood US.(Q&A)(Interview)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumers continue to trim their budgets, eliminating not only large discretionary expenditures, but also small indulgences. Drug Store News spoke with Carole Walker, VP integrated marketing group at Mars Snackfood...