Drug Store News articles from January 2004

Drug Store News archives from January 2004

Alexandria, Va.--sometime this week, the National Community Pharmacists Association is expected to disclose details of its plan.(NEWSBITES)
January 28, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Sometime this week, the National Community Pharmacists Association is expected to disclose details of its plan to provide a Medicare-endorsed discount card for seniors.

Boise, Idaho--Albertsons has elected Beth Pritchard to serve as a member of its board.(NEWSBITES)
January 28, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons has elected Beth Pritchard to serve as a member of its board. Pritchard spent the most recent part of her career with Bath & Body Works, serving as president and chief executive officer.

Point Pleasant, W. Va.--regional drug chain Fruth Pharmacy announced Monday that select locations now feature Fuji Instant Processing kiosks.(NEWSBITES)
January 28, 2004... POINT PLEASANT, W. Va. -- Regional drug chain Fruth Pharmacy announced Monday that select locations now feature Fuji Instant Processing kiosks. The service is currently available at five of its 22 stores, but soon will be rolled out to...

Wyeth.(appointed Gary Stiles executive vice president )(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... MADISON, N.J. -- Wyeth has appointed Gary Stiles executive vice president and chief medical officer for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Prior to joining Wyeth, Stiles served as vice president and chief medical officer for Duke University Health...

Winn-Dixie Stores.(NEWSBITES)
January 28, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores has named Brad Spooner division manager of its north Florida division. He most recently served as senior director of operations. Spooner will report to John Sheehan, senior vice president of operations....

Investors hold steady as Duane Reade cuts 4Q outlook.
January 28, 2004... NEW YORK -- Manhattan-based drug chain Duane Reade on Friday announced that fourth quarter earnings would be lower than expected, but the news didn't sway investors as the chain's stock price held steady. Just days before Christmas,...

Eli Lilly announces participation in Medicare Rx discount cards.(approved Medicare prescription drug discount cards )(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... INDIANAPOLIS -- Drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. announced last week that it will partner with government-approved Medicare prescription drug discount cards to offer seniors steep discounts on medicines. Eli Lilly's announcement comes as...

Calif. debate exposes complexity of Rx imporation issue.(encourage drug development )(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- A debate held here yesterday, sponsored by the free-market think-tank Pacific Research Institute, revealed just how complex the debate surrounding importing drugs from Canada has become. At the heart of the debate: Should...

Rite Aid to expand exclusive Umberto Giannini hair care line.(Dazzling Shine to Perfect Perfection Gloss Cloths)(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa.--Rite Aid is clearing more shelf space for its exclusive Umberto Giannini hair care line this March, adding eight new SKUs. Building its successful Dazzling Shine to Perfect Perfection Gloss Cloths, Rite Aid will introduce...

Ahold to close U.S. retail headquarters in Chantilly, Va.(new business in arena )(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Royal Ahold announced last week that it will close its U.S. retail corporate headquarters in Chantilly, Va., as a new business arena is created in Boston. The new arena in Boston will integrate the back-office...

ABC to acquire MedSelect.
January 28, 2004... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- AmerisourceBergen announced Monday that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase MedSelect, a privately held provider of automated medication and supply dispensing cabinets, for $13.4 million in cash. The...

Wal-Mart looks to overturn Calif. ban on supercenters.(anti-competitive and anti-consumer)(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Discount retailer Wal-Mart on Monday sued to overturn California community ban on stores that exceed 100,000 square feet and devote more than 10 percent of the space to nontaxable items, such as groceries. The...

FDA intercepts imported drugs, finds unapproved medicines.
January 28, 2004... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration and the United States Customs and Border Protection agency yesterday released a second study of pharmaceuticals coming into the United States from abroad, warning U.S. citizens that importing...

New York--the Community Pharmacy Foundation recently announced that in its first two years of operation since announcing its policies and procedures to receive projects for funding consideration has awarded about $1 million.(FINANCIALS)
January 28, 2004... NEW YORK -- The Community Pharmacy Foundation recently announced that in its first two years of operation since announcing its policies and procedures to receive projects for funding consideration has awarded about $1 million for 22 grant...

Rochester, N.Y.--shares of Kodak rose 12.7 percent to close at $30.95 last Thursday after the company announced plans to cut 15,000 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force, over the next three years.(FINANCIALS)
January 28, 2004... ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Shares of Kodak rose 12.7 percent to close at $30.95 last Thursday after the company announced plans to cut 15,000 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force, over the next three years. The company plans to achieve full-year...

Strasbourg, France--shares of Aventis rose nearly 3 percent to close at $75.10 on Monday following Aventis' announcement that it had rejected a hostile takeover bid from smaller rival Sanofi-Synthelabo, saying the offer was too low.(FINANCIALS)
January 28, 2004... STRASBOURG, France -- Shares of Aventis rose nearly 3 percent to close at 75.10 on Monday following Aventis' announcement that it had rejected a hostile takeover bid from smaller rival Sanofi-Synthelabo, saying the offer was too low. The 60...

Plano, Texas--Eckerd's parent company, J.C. Penney Co., last week revealed a cost-savings initiative that will impact its department stores, catalog and Internet business.(online survey; You should have searched the authority files and included C term Eckerd Drug Co. )(Brief article)
January 28, 2004... PLANO, Texas -- Eckerd's parent company, J.C. Penney Co., last week revealed a cost-savings initiative that will impact its department stores, catalog and Internet business. However, the question of what J.C. Penney will do with Eckerd...

Longs Drug Stores.(NEWSBITES)
January 21, 2004... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores has named Timothy Hansen vice president of real estate. He succeeds Michael Raphel. Hansen will report to Warren Bryant, chairman and chief executive officer. Previously, Hansen was vice president of...

Deerfield, Ill.--Walgreens Health Initiatives has started providing PBM services to a number of new clients.(NEWSBITES)
January 21, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens Health Initiatives has started providing PBM services to a number of new clients. The new clients are: Nissan North America--U.S. Manufacturing, Louisiana--Pacific Corp., Komatsu America Corp., Case New Holland,...

London--U.K. retailer Boots Group will slash 900 jobs as part of a reorganization plan at its Nottingham head office.(NEWSBITES)
January 21, 2004... LONDON -- U.K. retailer Boots Group will slash 900 jobs as part of a reorganization plan at its Nottingham head office. The retailer also stated that it would strengthen its store organization over the year, focusing on three key areas:...

Camp Hill, Pa.--Rite Aid and McKesson have signed a five-year pharmaceutical distribution contract renewal.(NEWSBITES)
January 21, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid and McKesson have signed a five-year pharmaceutical distribution contract renewal. Under the agreement, McKesson will continue to supply the drug chain with branded and generic drugs.

Online poll results.
January 21, 2004... In a survey at our Web site, drugstorenews.com, 48 percent of respondents said they think the Medicare drug bill will have a negative impact on the pharmacy business. Cast your vote in our new poll at drugstorenews.com.

NACDS, Express Scripts ally for Medicare discount card.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Express Scripts Inc.)(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts announced last Thursday a joint plan to seek federal endorsement of a national Medicare discount card. If approved for use among...

Walgreens leaders reaffirm strategy at annual meeting.(Walgreen Co.)(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... CHICAGO -- Walgreen Co. leaders asserted last Wednesday that investing heavily in retail expansion and new technology remains the best way to stalk new market share and maintain industry leadership. "We're... pouring money back into the...

Drug stores cooperating with officials in Medicaid probe.(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Drug chain retailers say they are cooperating with U.S. congressional investigators and providing requested documents as part of a large-scale probe into pharmaceutical reimbursements and rebates under Medicaid. On Jan. 14,...

Walgreens announces string of executive promotions.(Dana Green)(Gregory Wasson)(Douglas Egan)(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens last week announced 11 executive promotions, including the promotion of John Gleeson to senior vice president of corporate strategy and treasurer from vice president of corporate strategy and treasurer. Other...

Kerr Drug becomes latest chain to nix mandatory mail order plans.(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... DURHAM, N.C. -- Kerr Drug, a 130-store drug chain, no longer is participating in pharmacy benefit plans that force patients to fill maintenance medications exclusively through mail order pharmacies--a move that is fast becoming an industry...

Wal-Mart opens 'mini-supercenter'.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart today is officially opening its new "mini-supercenter" prototype in Tampa, Fla. At only 99,000 square feet, the store is Wal-Mart's smallest domestic supercenter and is labeled on building plans as an urban...

Rite Aid, CVS agree not to participate in Maine Rx.(Rite Aid Corp.)(Brief article)
January 21, 2004... AUGUSTA, Maine -- Although the Maine Rx Plus program launched Jan. 17, some pharmacy chains operating in the state are not participating, including the state's largest pharmacy operator Rite Aid, which has 80 stores in the state. "While...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
January 21, 2004... Clarification: An item in last week's NewsFirst should have stated that Rite Aid may have to shorten pharmacy hours or stop filling MaineCare prescriptions in certain locations. The majority of the chain's 80 Maine stores would continue to...

CVS.(FINANCIALS)
January 21, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS announced Friday that David Rickard, executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer, has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory...

New Brunswick, N.J.--Johnson & Johnson stated yesterday that during the fourth quarter its worldwide consumer segment sales were $7.4 billion, up 13.2 percent.(FINANCIALS)
January 21, 2004... NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Johnson & Johnson stated yesterday that during the fourth quarter its worldwide consumer segment sales were $7.4 billion, up 13.2 percent. Domestic sales rose 10.1 percent. Strong growth in consumer sales was achieved...

Zaandam, Netherlands--Royal Ahold plans to divest its remaining 204 U.S. convenience stores.(FINANCIALS)
January 21, 2004... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Royal Ahold plans to divest its remaining 204 U.S. convenience stores. The convenience stores to be sold include 127 Wilson Farm Neighborhood Food Stores, 67 Sugarcreek Stores and 10 Tops Xpress. The retailer has...

Bellevue, Wash.--Drugstore.com announced yesterday that fourth quarter sales reached an all-time high of $70.6 million, up 28 percent versus last year.(FINANCIALS)
January 21, 2004... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Drugstore.com announced yesterday that fourth quarter sales reached an all-time high of $70.6 million, up 28 percent versus last year. Net loss for the quarter was $2.4 million, or 3 cents per share, and reflected a 59...

Washington--U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005.(NEWSBITES)
January 19, 2004... WASHINGTON -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. The sixth edition of the dietary guidelines places a...

Rockville, Md.--the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected on Thursday to decide the resubmitted OTC switch application of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive commonly referred to as a "morning-after pill.".(NEWSBITES)(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected on Thursday to decide the resubmitted OTC switch application of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive commonly referred to as a "morning-after pill." Barr's current proposal...

Indianapolis--Eli Lilly announced plans Thursday to correct what it terms "inaccurate statements" about Prozac in recent media coverage.(NEWSBITES)(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... INDIANAPOLIS -- Eli Lilly announced plans Thursday to correct what it terms "inaccurate statements" about Prozac in recent media coverage. The company stated that the offending media reports are based on a collection of papers anonymously...

Deerfield, Ill.--Walgreens on Friday announced that it will continue accepting American Express at all of its stores nationwide and online.(NEWSBITES)
January 19, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens on Friday announced that it will continue accepting American Express at all of its stores nationwide and online. The company stated that it has reached long-term agreement with American Express that will be...

Walgreens outlines growth strategy at annual meeting.
January 19, 2004... CHICAGO -- Company leaders told some 2,000 shareholders, employees and guests at the annual meeting here last week that concerns about mail order pharmacy competition and rising operating expenses haven't dulled Walgreen Co.'s appetite for...

FDA advisory panels reject Mevacor OTC switch.(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... BETHESDA, Md. -- Two Food and Drug Administration advisory panels declined the over-the-counter switch application for Johnson & Johnson/Merck's statin Mevacor last week by a vote of 20 against and three in favor. While not the last word...

CVS to stop dispensing drugs to Toyota and Ohio health plans.(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS on Tuesday announced that it will voluntarily exit the pharmacy network established to service Toyota Motor Manufacturing employees effective Feb. 18 and would stop service to the health plan of the state of Ohio...

Nine charged in Ahold scandal, former executives settle suit.(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... WASHINGTON. -- Nine people who worked for vendors that supplied Ahold's U.S. Foodservice were charged by federal prosecutors with falsifying documents that helped company executives inflate earnings by more than $800 million from 2000 until...

Wal-Mart launches PR blitz to 'set the record straight'.
January 19, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- As part of an ogoing effort to improve its public image and combat accusations of unfair labor practices, Wal-Mart last week initiated a multipronged public relations campaign to "set the record straight" with the public....

McKesson settles class action with $960m shareholder payout.(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- McKesson Corp. announced last week that it has agreed to repay shareholders $960 million to cover losses suffered in an accounting scandal that has resulted in criminal convictions of several former executives. The...

Food and Drug Administration.(FINANCIALS)(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner Lester Crawford last week announced the appointment of Kathy Heuer as the agency's new chief financial officer and associate commissioner for management. Heuer is a certified...

Zandaam, Netherlands--Royal Ahold reported that its fourth-quarter sales declined 3 percent to $16.3 billion, due mainly to the weak valuation of the U.S. dollar and the impact of the net sales of divestited operations.(FINANCIALS)(Brief article)
January 19, 2004... ZANDAAM, NETHERLANDS -- Royal Ahold reported that its fourth-quarter sales declined 3 percent to $16.3 billion, due mainly to the weak valuation of the U.S. dollar and the impact of the net sales of divestited operations. Net sales at U.S....

New York--the National Retail Federation recently announced it its 2005 forecast that retail sales will increase 3.5 percent from last year.(FINANCIALS)
January 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- The National Retail Federation recently announced it its 2005 forecast that retail sales will increase 3.5 percent from last year. The NRF cites tough comparisons and lack of economic stimulus as the main reason behind its guarded...

Chicago--Safeway announced Monday that it will shutter 12 underperforming Dominick's grocery stores in the Chicago area in March, resulting in a $50 million to $55 million pretax charge in its first quarter 2004 financial results.(NEWSBITES)
January 14, 2004... CHICAGO -- Safeway announced Monday that it will shutter 12 underperforming Dominick's grocery stores in the Chicago area in March, resulting in a $50 million to $55 million pretax charge in its first quarter 2004 financial results. A few...

Clearwater, Fla.--on Sunday, Eckerd celebrated the grand opening of 21 stores in various states, including Alabama (a new market), Texas, Arizona and New York.(NEWSBITES)
January 14, 2004... CLEARWATER, Fla. -- On Sunday, Eckerd celebrated the grand opening of 21 stores in various states, including Alabama (a new market), Texas, Arizona and New York. According to a company spokeswoman, Eckerd plans to open 250 new stores this...

Durham, N.C.--a judge ruled Friday that Concord, N.C.-based storefront Canada Outlet, which helps state residents buy cheaper medications from Canada.(NEWSBITES)
January 14, 2004... DURHAM, N.C. -- A judge ruled Friday that Concord, N.C.-based storefront Canada Outlet, which helps state residents buy cheaper medications from Canada, violates state and federal law and must shut down by Feb. 2, according to published...

Los Angeles--four days of off-the-record talks between the union representing striking grocery workers in Southern California and three supermarket chains crumbled Sunday, according to published reports.(NEWSBITES)
January 14, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Four days of off-the-record talks between the union representing striking grocery workers in Southern California and three supermarket chains crumbled Sunday, according to published reports. Since Oct. 11, 70,000 workers have...

Wal-Mart Stores.(NEWSBITES)
January 14, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores has hired Tom Gean, the federal prosecutor for the Western District of Arkansas, to serve as its new legal compliance officer. He will leave the U.S. Attorney's office in about 30 days. President Bush...

Flu season helps drive December sales at drug chains.(financial reports)(Financial report)(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... NEW YORK -- A surge of last-minute holiday shoppers and an unforgiving flu season helped boost December sales at both the pharmacy counter and front end at most leading drug chains. At CVS, pharmacy same-store sales rose 11.2 percent,...

Rite Aid may close door on Maine's Medicaid program.(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced last week it would reconsider serving patients of MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, if a new, lower reimbursement rate were enacted Jan. 20. The state budget-balancing provision proposed by Gov....

CVS drops benefit plans that force mail order services.(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS is pulling the plug on three pharmacy benefit plans administered by National Medical Health Card that force patients to fill maintenance medications exclusively through mail order service. In addition, CVS no...

Rite Aid asks CFO to relinquish role.(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid has asked Chris Hall to relinquish his role as chief financial officer as a result of a proposed settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hall now will serve as senior vice president of real estate...

NACDS applauds new bill to help pharmacy students.(The National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores yesterday issued statements applauding both Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., and Congresswoman Barbara Cubin, R-Wy., on the introduction of the Pharmacy Education Aid Act. ...

WHI plans to acquire All-Care.(Walgreens Health Initiative to acquire All-Care Medical Supply)(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens Health Initiative, which Walgreens operates, has acquired select assets of All-Care Medical Supply and Interactive Cardio Pulmonary. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. All-Care, a home medical equipment and...

'Future Store' featured at NRF show.(National Retail Federation)(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... NEW YORK -- Metro Group's "Store the Future" exhibit took center stage at the National Retail Federation's 93rd Annual Convention and Expo held here this week. The exhibit displayed new and futuristic retail technologies found at Metro's...

December sales performances.(Statistical table)
January 14, 2004... December sales performances Total monthly % increase Same-store $ sales over sales Company in billions last year % increase Wal-Mart (1) ...

Deerfield, Ill.--Walgreens announced Monday that it has reached a one-year deal with Nasdaq to dual list its stock on the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange.(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens announced Monday that it has reached a one-year deal with Nasdaq to dual list its stock on the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange. The dual listing is expected to become effective within a few weeks. Walgreens...

Abbott Park, Ill.--Abbott Laboratories has agreed to acquire TheraSense, the manufacturer of FreeStyle blood glucose self-monitoring systems.(FINANCIALS)
January 14, 2004... ABBOTT PARK, Ill. -- Abbott Laboratories has agreed to acquire TheraSense, the manufacturer of FreeStyle blood glucose self-monitoring systems. Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will acquire all of the outstanding stock of TheraSense...

Zaandam, Netherlands--Dutch retailer Royal Ahold announced Friday that net sales for 2003 dropped 10.5 percent, largely because of lower currency exchange rates, but were in line with expectations.(FINANCIALS)
January 14, 2004... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Dutch retailer Royal Ahold announced Friday that net sales for 2003 dropped 10.5 percent, largely because of lower currency exchange rates, but were in line with expectations. Sales totaled 56.1 billion euros ($71.4...

New York--a survey Deloitte released this week found 59 percent of consumers received a gift card during the 2003 holiday season and by Jan. 5, half had redeemed some or all of their cards.(FINANCIALS)(Brief article)
January 14, 2004... NEW YORK -- A survey Deloitte released this week found 59 percent of consumers received a gift card during the 2003 holiday season and by Jan. 5, half had redeemed some or all of their cards. The survey also found 21 percent of consumers...

Alexandria, Va.--the NACDS Foundation announced Monday that it has awarded 25 scholarships to pharmacy students as part of a new scholarship program.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The NACDS Foundation announced Monday that it has awarded 25 scholarships to pharmacy students as part of a new scholarship program. Twenty-one students will receive the NACDS Foundation Pharmacy Student Scholarship, two...

Clearwater, Fla.--in an effort to boost its digital photography business, Eckerd is offering its customers a free CD with 10 minutes of instruction that covers the basic functions of digital camera use.(NEWSBITES)
January 7, 2004... CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In an effort to boost its digital photography business, Eckerd is offering its customers a free CD with 10 minutes of instruction that covers the basic functions of digital camera use. An e-mail link also allows customers...

Bentonville, Ark.--Environmental Protection Agency chief John Peter Suarez is resigning to become general counsel of the Sam's Club division of Wal-Mart, according to published reports.(NEWSBITES)
January 7, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Environmental Protection Agency chief John Peter Suarez is resigning to become general counsel of the Sam's Club division of Wal-Mart, according to published reports. Suarez, the EPA's assistant administrator for...

Jacksonville, Fla.--on Dec. 29, select Winn-Dixie, Thriftway and SaveRite pharmacies began offering the FluMist nasal spray.(product introduction)(SaveRite pharmacies)(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- On Dec. 29, select Winn-Dixie, Thriftway and SaveRite pharmacies began offering the FluMist nasal spray. The vaccinations, which a licensed pharmacist administers, are available during the stores' regular pharmacy hours....

Walgreens' earnings on track with strong Rx, front-end sales.(financial report of Walgreens)(Financial report)(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Meeting or beating most Wall Street analysts' expectations, Walgreens on Monday reported a 10.1 percent rise in net earnings for the first quarter ended Nov. 30, to $254.9 million. First quarter sales rose 16.5 percent...

Rite Aid revises 3Q earnings to reflect $51 million tax benefit.(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Shares of Rite Aid were up yesterday following news that the Internal Revenue Service approved the chain's federal tax returns, resulting in a $51.1 million tax benefit. The tax refund boosts Rite Aid's third quarter net...

Kmart's shares soar in light of November, December profit.
January 7, 2004... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart investors rallied on Monday as the discount retailer announced that it expects a profit for November and December, the first two months of its fiscal fourth quarter. Kmart attributed the profit to strong inventory...

Wal-Mart, suppliers team up to promote heart health.(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores plans to host a heart disease awareness event in all Wal-Mart stores and select Sam's Club locations Feb. 20 and 21. The mass retailer is partnering with Bayer, Novartis and Quaker Foods in hosting...

FDA announces ephedra ban.(Food and Drug Administration plans to ban the ephedra)(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... WASHINGTON -- In a move that comes as little surprise, the Food and Drug Administration announced last week that it plans to ban the herbal supplement ephedra. The ban will become effective 60 days after the new rule is published, but...

Ahold's interim CFO steps down.(Royal Ahold appointed Dudley Eustace as a chief financial officer)(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Royal Ahold recently announced that Dudley Eustace, who was brought in as interim chief financial officer in March, has completed his term as a member of the corporate executive board at Ahold. Dudley's primary...

Walgreens Health Corner begins national TV run.(services of Walgreens)(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens on Saturday aired the first episode of a new nationally televised series that offers tips on disease prevention and healthy living to cable subscribers in 56 million households nationwide. Called "Walgreens...

Drugstore.com goes live with flexible spending plan.(Drugstore.com announced launch of its new Flexible Spending Account Manager program )(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Drugstore.com announced Monday the launch of its new Flexible Spending Account Manager program for both prescriptions and OTC products. The online health and beauty aid retailer has partnered with US Script to offer the...

New York--shares of Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings climbed up 23.5 percent to close at $23.63 on Monday after a federal judge ruled that Purdue Pharma's patents protecting its painkiller OxyContin were invalid.(FINANCIALS)
January 7, 2004... NEW YORK -- Shares of Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings climbed up 23.5 percent to close at $23.63 on Monday after a federal judge ruled that Purdue Pharma's patents protecting its painkiller OxyContin were invalid, paving the way for Endo to...

Bentonville, Ark.--Wal-Mart Stores' board of directors has authorized a new $7 billion share repurchase program, separate from and replacing the previous $5 billion program.(FINANCIALS)
January 7, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores' board of directors has authorized a new $7 billion share repurchase program, separate from and replacing the previous $5 billion program. Purchases for the share repurchase program will be made from time...

New York--Moody's Investor Service revised its outlook on Revlon to developing from negative, in light of capital restructuring efforts that could improve Revlon's cash position.(FINANCIALS)
January 7, 2004... NEW YORK -- Moody's Investor Service revised its outlook on Revlon to developing from negative, in light of capital restructuring efforts that could improve Revlon's cash position. Moody's also affirmed Revlon's senior implied rating of Caa2,...

Italy--Kraft Foods and Kellogg have expressed interest in the U.S. cookie business unit of Parmalat SpA, according to published reports.(Brief article)
January 7, 2004... ITALY -- Kraft Foods and Kellogg have expressed interest in the U.S. cookie business unit of Parmalat SpA, according to published reports. The business unit includes Archway, Mother's and private label brands, with an estimated U.S. market...

Lakeland, Fla.--Publix Super Markets has announced that in the first quarter of 2005, it will roll out a line of private-label products aimed at Hispanic tastes.(NEWSBITES)
January 5, 2004... LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets has announced that in the first quarter of 2005, it will roll out a line of private-label products aimed at Hispanic tastes. The new line is designed to compete with national brands like Goya and Badia,...

May Dept. Stores.(NEWSBITES)
January 5, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- May Dept. Stores announced that David Rickard, executive vice president and chief financial officer of CVS Corp., joined its board of directors Jan. 1. Rickard replaced Edward Whitacre Jr., chairman and chief executive of SBC...

Los Angeles--Johnson & Johnson faces a new lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming that an allergic reaction to taking Children's Motrin caused a young girl to become blind and photosensitive.(NEWSBITES)
January 5, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Johnson & Johnson faces a new lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming that an allergic reaction to taking Children's Motrin caused a young girl to become blind and photosensitive. Also named as defendents in the suit are...

New York--Pfizer recently announced that starting Jan. 10, it will offer a new formulation of Sudafed that does not contain pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in the illegal production of methamphetamine.(Brief article)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Pfizer recently announced that starting Jan. 10, it will offer a new formulation of Sudafed that does not contain pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in the illegal production of methamphetamine. The company stated that the "new"...