Drug Store News articles from January 2007

Drug Store News archives from January 2007

Industry reaction: Rx seethes over Medicaid cuts.(OPINION)
January 15, 2007... ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- As Christmas presents go, the Bush administration's move to cut billions of dollars from the Medicaid prescription drug program was a sack full of coal for the nation's community pharmacies. Pharmacy leaders reacted...

Express Scripts bids, but CVS/Caremark likely a go.(CVS Corp.)(Caremark Rx Inc.)(Express Scripts Inc.)
January 15, 2007... ST. LOUIS -- CVS Corp.'s planned merger with pharmacy benefit management company Caremark Rx last month received antitrust clearance and is marching ahead toward a closing that could take place as early as first quarter 2007; however, rival PBM...

Rendell: put nurse practitioners in the game.(Ed Rendell)
January 15, 2007... HARRISBURG, PA. -- Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is planning to roll out in January a cost-cutting health care initiative that will involve putting nurse practitioners "back in the game." During his annual year-end interview with...

WAG accelerates growth plans.(Walgreen Co .)
January 15, 2007... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co., already well established as the drug store industry's most aggressive developer of new store sites, said it will maintain and even accelerate its torrid organic growth program in 2007 and easily reach its goal...

Asheville Project gets coverage.(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... NEW YORK -- Ten years after its inception, the Asheville Project is getting recognition. On Dec. 30, the campaign to improve the health and lower medical costs of patients with diabetes and other conditions made the front page of The New York...

Bush signs Lifespan Respite Care Act.(INDUSTRY WATCH)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Legislation aimed at helping caregivers care for loved ones with disabilities or chronic conditions has received congressional approval. The Lifespan Respite Care Act, which the president signed into law in late December,...

Rite Aid debuts weight-loss challenge.(Rite Weigh Challenge)(weight-loss program)
January 15, 2007... CAMP HILL, PA. -- Rite Aid last month unveiled a new weight-loss program, called the Rite Weigh Challenge, that rolled out to consumers Jan. 1 in partnership with its California in-store clinic partner Lindora, which has specialized in...

Secondary wholesalers delay pedigree proposal.(NEWS)
January 15, 2007... WASHINGTON -- A federal court last month agreed to grant an injunction to delay the introduction of drug pedigrees, after a number of drug wholesalers requested it. The Food and Drug Administration has announced its intention to fight the...

Drug Store News sports new look, new lineup.(NEWS)(Wayne Bennett, Bernadette Casey and Rob Eder were promoted)
January 15, 2007... NEW YORK -- Following several key personnel moves, Drug Store News is kicking off 2007 with a new look and a string of initiatives that will further set it apart from the competition and solidify its role as an industry leader. Assuming...

Burgeoning industry defines message: Sandra F. Ryan, chief nurse practitioner officer, Take Care Health Systems.(Q&A)(Interview)
January 15, 2007... Drug Store News: What role do you think clinics will play in the future of retail pharmacy? Ryan: If you look at history and the data that is out there, the two most trusted professions are pharmacists and nurses. I really believe that...

GMA report pieces together growth of CPG industry.(SUPERMARKET NEWS)(Grocery Manufacturers Association)(consumer-packaged goods industry)
January 15, 2007... CHICAGO -- Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association late last year issued its 10th annual "Financial Performance Report" of the consumer-packaged goods industry. According to the study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCooper,...

Weis Markets plans more CareWorks in-store clinics.(SUPERMARKET NEWS)(CareWorks Convenient Healthcare)
January 15, 2007... SUNBURY, PA. -- Weis Markets has announced that it will open a second CareWorks in-store clinic in its Allentown, Pa., store in early January in collaboration with CareWorks Convenient Healthcare. This follows the success of the chain's...

Integrated model is future of pharmacy--not mail order.(OPINION)(Viewpoint essay)
January 15, 2007... Did you hear the one about the dinosaur that are the other dinosaur? He became a bigger, fatter dinosaur. That's why you have to believe that Caremark shareholders aren't going to take the bait on Express Scripts' last-minute bid to derail...

Executives address industry issues.(ECRM pharmacy: Buyers' Forum)(Discussion)
January 15, 2007... With most pharmacy operators more than a little concerned about the changes to reimbursement that are going to affect the industry in 2007, they are looking to what can help improve their business and offset the reimbursement losses. ...

Pharmacies look into specialized niches.(Category Spotlight)
January 15, 2007... With the goals of looking after their customers' health, making their pharmacies destinations and attracting new patients, drug stores across the United States are creating niche heath opportunities around disease states. Midway through...

In-store clinics gain ground with retailers, patients.(Retail Spotlight)
January 15, 2007... One of the most promising developments to hit retail pharmacy in years is the rapid adoption of in-store, acute-care centers by many of the industry's largest chains. Customers have embraced the concept, which offers the convenience of...

Three trends you must know.(Category Buzz)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... 1 Commoditization of pharmaceuticals The increasing commoditization of pharmaceuticals was accelerated by Wal-Mart's rollout of a promotional program on more than 300 generic drugs. The chain's decision to offer those me-too medications at...

Doing business within a new economic reality.(Industry overview)
January 15, 2007... When retail pharmacy buyers and pharmacy marketing executives descend in force on St. Louis this month for the ECRM Pharmacy Conference, they'll do their best to plot a business strategy with their suppliers in the face of dizzying changes...

Adams Respiratory.(ECRM: Editors' Picks: New products ready to hit the endcap)(Adams Respiratory Therapeutics Inc.)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Adams Respiratory Therapeutics has launched MucinexD, a new product added to its Mucinex and MucinexDM lineup. MucinexD is the only FDA-approved OTC product with extended-release guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. A combination product,...

Eisai/Pfizer.(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Aricept was recently approved by the FDA for treatment of severe Alzheimer's disease, making it the first and only prescription to treat the full spectrum of the disease. Co-promoted in the U.S. by Eisai and Pfizer, Aricept has been...

Boehringer Ingelheim studies pharmacy patient satisfaction.(2006 Wilson Rx/Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmacy Satisfaction Digest)(Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH)
January 15, 2007... Based on a detailed survey of more than 32,000 households in 23 markets, the 2006 Wilson Rx/Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmacy Satisfaction Digest was the most detailed snapshot yet taken of customer attitudes and preferences regarding community...

Survey: noncompliance still unravels health care.(Survey)
January 15, 2007... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Americans remain stubbornly out of compliance with their prescription drug therapy, generating some $100 billion in added health care costs and threatening the health of millions of patients each year, two new surveys have...

More growth in 2007: Jim Laughlin, Wellspot Medical Clinics.(Jim Laughlin)(Interview)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Based in Birmingham, Ala., WellSpot operates seven clinics in Bi-Lo stores in Alabama and South Carolina, three clinics in Winn-Dixie supermarkets and two standalone stores, for a total of 12 by the end of last year. By the end of the first...

Pharmacists remain most trusted professionals among consumers.(Survey)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A new poll has found that 73 percent of Americans rank their pharmacist "very high" or "high" in terms of honesty and ethics. The top three ranked professions, according to the USA Today/Gallup poll were nurses,...

Rapidly expanding Katz unveils first drive-through pharmacy.(Katz Group )
January 15, 2007... EDMONTON, Alberta -- In a first for one of Canada's biggest pharmacy retailers, Katz Group has unveiled in its home market a new Rexall drug store prototype with the chain's first drive-through pharmacy. Over the next several years, Katz...

FDA tightens reins over marketing of unapproved drugs.(Food and Drug Administration )
January 15, 2007... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Stepping up its campaign to crack down on unapproved drugs and increase scrutiny of high-risk medications already on the market, the Food and Drug Administration last month ordered firms to stop marketing unapproved drug...

GPhA, senators seek pathway for rapid biogenerics approval.(Generic Pharmaceutical Association)(Kathleen Jaeger)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Clearing an approval pathway for biogeneric drugs is still a critical concern for the health care and generic drug industries, said Kathleen Jaeger, president and chief executive officer of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association....

APhA rolls out first-ever diabetes management plan.(American Pharmacists Association Foundation)
January 15, 2007... WASHINGTON -- The largest pilot test to date of a pharmacy-based diabetes management program is about to get under way. The American Pharmacists Association Foundation revealed in December that it has completed a lengthy, coast-to-coast...

Indie group blasts Wal-Mart for generic drug promotion.(CHAIN PHARMACY)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
January 15, 2007... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Community Pharmacists Association continues to blast Wal-Mart Stores for its campaign to offer $4 generic drugs nationwide, calling the promotion a cynical ploy to capture market share without providing many real...

Drug makers move to fill pending Lipitor patent expiration.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 15, 2007... NEW YORK -- The withdrawal of Pfizer's cholesterol drug torcetrapib from clinical trials was one of the biggest news stories to hit the medical field last year. It was bad news for physicians and consumers, but also for the drug giant,...

Market grows to treat heart disease factors.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 15, 2007... WASHINGTON -- The growth of the heart disease market is enough to make anyone seek comfort in an oversized bag of cholesterol-laden goodies. Heart disease is the biggest killer of American adults, according to the Centers for Disease...

Drug makers pump new medications into pipeline.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 15, 2007... EAST HANOVER, N.J. -- While the bad news is that incidences of heart disease don't look likely to slow down, the good news is that the pipeline for drugs to treat the diseases that lead to this condition also isn't slowing. Novartis has...

Reese Pharmaceuticals celebrates century of OTC sales.(CHAIN PHARMACY)(Company overview)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... CLEVELAND -- This month marks the 100th anniversary of Reese Pharmaceutical Co., one of the country's oldest OTC pharmaceutical manufacturers/repackers. This family-run business was founded in January 1907 and has been operated by three...

Executives address industry issues.(ECRM VITAMINS DIET & NUTRITION: Buyer's Forum)(Discussion)
January 15, 2007... That next new product hit is just around the corner, and while retailers are certainly interested in pushing the next hot item through their checkouts, they'd rather not wade through the 99 product duds to find the one that sells. So what are...

Aging boomers spur supplement sales.
January 15, 2007... The aging of the baby boomers is certainly one of the chief factors driving the dietary supplement business today--two of the hottest segments within the category include heart-healthy supplements and bone-joint health. Both conditions feed...

Value versus service: extreme retailers win.(Retail Spotlight)
January 15, 2007... The middle ground is no longer the optimal position for dietary supplement and natural health vendors as more and more players slide to one extreme or the other--trading either on every-day-low-price or a...

Three trends you must know.(Category Buzz)(dietary supplements sales among baby boomers)(glucosamine and chondroitin for treating osteoarthritis)(health care costs reduction in elderly with dietary supplements)
January 15, 2007... 1 Heart health is hot Aging baby boomers are expected to continue to take the dietary supplement category--already estimated at more than $2.4 billion in chain drug, according to figures from Information Resources Inc.--to new heights,...

Government, industry look to put the bloom back on the rose.(ECRM: Just the facts)(dietary supplements industry)(Industry overview)
January 15, 2007... Both supplement industry advocates and lawmakers are putting into motion early this year initiatives that finally will apply a little credibility to ah often-criticized industry. Two industry groups--the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance...

Vital Basics.(ECRM: Editors' Picks: New products ready to hit the endcap)(FLEXOfactor new products)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Vital Basics, a science-driven nutraceutical company, is introducing two new additions to its product line. FLEXOfactor, a powerful joint support "system" that combines glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, MSM and omega-3 fatty acids...

Cytosport.(ECRM: Editors' Picks: New products ready to hit the endcap)(Mighty Milk Nutritional Drink)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... It's no secret that poor diets and childhood obesity are growing national concerns. For moms who want to provide their kids with healthy, and tasty, snacks, CytoSport, a company on the cutting edge of sports nutrition science, has come to...

Slimquick Laboratories.
January 15, 2007... Slimquick Laboratories has recently introduced Slimquick to is product line and is marketing it as "the female fat burner." Slimquick is targeted for women ages 25 to 49 years old who want to lose weight as quickly as possible. It works in...

Pharmavite.(Pharmavite Corp.)(SoyJoy bars)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Pharmavite will make its first foray into the nutrition bar market early this year with the introduction of SoyJoy bars. Baked with whole soy and dried fruit, the new SoyJoy line began shipping to select accounts in December and the company...

Plan B, Alli blaze new trails for OTC switch.
January 15, 2007... Two of the Food and Drug Administration's most recent switch applications--one approved and one under consideration--may provide a road map for pharmaceutical companies looking to bring more complicated regimens to the nonprescription aisles....

Pfizer is now officially a part of Johnson & Johnson, as the $16.6 billion acquisition closed late last month.(Pfizer Inc.)(OTC Zantac)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Supplier News--Pfizer is now officially a part of Johnson & Johnson, as the $16.6 billion acquisition closed late last month. The deal catapults J&J into the No. 1 position worldwide as far as OTC suppliers with a combined $13 billion in sales....

'Switch hits' juice '07 OTC lineup.(OTC)(over the counter)(prescription drugs approved for otc use)(Editorial)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... NEW YORK -- There area number of recently switched products that are expected to reach store shelves in first quarter 2007. The most prominent among these is GlaxoSmithKline's weight-loss drug Alli (orlistat), which received an approvable...

'Tis the diet season.(WHAT'S HOT)(Editorial)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... 'Tis the season to resolve to lose all of those holiday-cheer pounds gained between Christmas cookies and eggnog. And while most diets begun in January eventually fail, sales of diet aids already are trending strong and are sure to trend...

Corporate changes, mineral makeup on 2007 radar.(BEAUTY CARE)
January 15, 2007... There are several reasons why the cosmetics segment is bound to be interesting in 2007, but some of the developments that are certain to be on the industry's watch list include Revlon's organizational changes, Physicians Formula's new journey...

Sensitive solutions: Ingrid Jackel, Physicians Formula.(Q&A )(Interview)
January 15, 2007... Physicians Formula, which primarily focuses on face and eye makeup for those with sensitive skin, is entering the New Year as a public company. Over the last three years, ff has introduced an average of 50 new products each year; and now, as a...

Hair care sales rebound in 2006.(BEAUTY CARE)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... LONDON -- Year 2006 marked the year of new product launches in the U.S. hair care market as manufacturers stepped up to the plate to develop a surplus of new products targeting specific consumer segments in an effort to differentiate themselves...

The artificial nail meets its match.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Given that the beauty department--including the nail segment--in the mass market is largely a self-service environment, many manufacturers have taken steps to help the beauty shopper find the shades that best meet her needs. The latest...

Drug channel is class of back-to-school sales.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)(school products sales high)
January 15, 2007... Consumers spent more on back-to-school products last year then they did in 2005, and they spent a good portion of it in drug stores. The School, Home and Office Products Association's Back-to-School Consumer Shopping Research reports that the...

M.O.(Supplier News)(Mead Manufacturing Co expands its collection of office accessories)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Supplier News -- M.O., a collection of office supplies created in tandem by a team of graphic designers and Mead Manufacturing Co., expanded its collection of office accessories with four new products. M.O. products boast stylish, trendy colors...

Zitan.(Supplier News)(Courtesy Flush)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Courtesy Flush from Zitan is a new discreet way to control unwanted toilet odor. The all--natural toilet deodorizer with bamboo and tea leaf extracts neutralizes odor-causing bacteria by blocking odor at the water's surface before it becomes...

Gift card variety is perfect fit at drug chains.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... NEW YORK -- Forget spending hours searching for the perfect gift. Consumer Reports magazine cited in a recent survey that gift cards are second behind clothes as the most-desired holiday gift. According to Blackhawk Network, the leading...

Diaper kits offer recipe for change.(WHAT'S HOT)(ARC Industries)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... The $6.1 billion baby care supplies market is essentially mature, according to Packaged Facts, forcing companies to develop new products to gain market share. ARC Industries has done just that with Diaper 911, a convenient single-use diaper...

Clean-Ones Corp.(Supplier News)(Playtex-style)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Clean-Ones Corp. premium line of gloves has been repackaged in a "Playtex-style" box to position it more for household use. Previously, the gloves have been available in high-quality OPP/CPP bags, flaunting a "Compare-to-Playtex" flag. Clean...

Warner Home Video, the National Football League and NFL films have joined forces to release "NFL Super Bowl XLI Champions," set to hit stores on Feb. 27, 23 days after the big game in southern Florida.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Warner Home Video, the National Football League and NFL films have joined forces to release "NFL Super Bowl XLI Champions," set to hit stores on Feb. 27, 23 days after the big game in southern Florida. The DVD allows fans to relive the journey...

Fox Home Entertainment.(Supplier News)(Fox 2000 Pictures)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... released three DVDs on Jan. 9. The DVD for "The Illusionist," in which a master illusionist and a police inspector face off in a challenge of wills to determine where reality ends and magic begins, has audio commentary and two featurettes with...

Warner Home Video.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Warner Home Video will introduce on March 6 a timeless collection of literary classics on DVD, with the release of "Billy Budd," "Captain Horatio Horblower," "Madame Bovary," "The Three Musketeers" and "The Prisoner of Zenda: Double Feature."...

Balloon Time.(Supplier News)(Balloon Time Party)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Balloon Time Party's Create-A-Face Sticker Kit is perfect for children's birthday parties as both a decoration and activity kit. The kit includes a helium-filled tank, 30 assorted-color balloons, white ribbon and nearly 200 facial-feature...

Chocolate goes dark, gourmet and organic.(CONSUMABLES)
January 15, 2007... First it was coffee, then it was bread. Now Americans are becoming more discriminating when it comes to chocolate-and they are willing to pay more for products that deliver on quality. Chocolate's antioxidant properties have gotten plenty...

Thomas.(Supplier News)(English Muffins and Mini Squares Bagelbread)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Thomas' is introducing 100 Calorie Original English Muffins and Mini Squares Bagelbread. Thomas' 100 Calorie English Muffins boast the same texture and taste as regular English Muffins, but have fewer calories. The 100-calorie muffins launched...

Palmer.(Supplier News)(Halloween candy)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Palmer introduced its 2007 line of Halloween candy. Cellar Dwellers, an assortment of molded fudge-filled cats and rats mixed with double crisp bats and pumpkins in foils, come individually wrapped or packaged in trick-or-treat pouches....

The Coca-Cola Co. in early December named Muhtar Kent as president and chief operating officer.(Executive News)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... The CocaCola Co. in early December named Muhtar Kent as president and chief operating officer. In his new capacity, Kent is responsible for all of the company's operating units worldwide. He will continue to report to chairman and chief...

Hershey designs center for strategic planning.(CONSUMABLES)(The Hershey Co.)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... HERSHEY, Pa. -- The Hershey Company in December opened a Global Customer Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed for strategic customer planning sessions between Hershey executives and the company's retail partners. "The...

A beer for everyone.(WHAT'S HOT)(Anheuser-Busch introduces sorghum beer Redbridge)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... While in 2004, the beer category grew overall by 0.7 percent, according to Adams Beverage Group research, specialty beer growth at 7.2 percent was greater than any other segment of the alcohol business. Tapping into those sales,...

General Mills.(NEW FOR 2007)(General Mills Inc.)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... General Mills Nature Valley is introducing a new face to the cereal aisle with two Nature Valley cereal SKUs launching this month. The brand anticipates full distribution by the end of February with introductory flavors oats and honey and...

InkTec Zone.(NEW FOR 2007)(Ink-O-Matic, an automated inkjet cartridge refilling system)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... InkTec Zone recently introduced the Ink-O-Matic, an automated inkjet cartridge refilling system designed specifically for the retail environment. Using advanced technology, the Ink-O--Matic reduces the complexity of the refilling process...

Upsher-Smith Laboratories.(NEW FOR 2007)(Upsher-Smith launches two new dietary supplements)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Upsher-Smith Laboratories introduced two over-the-counter dietary supplements to its product lineup. Slo-Niacin Polygel Controlled-Release Niacin is backed by clinical studies and uses a polygel controlled-release system to deliver gradual,...

General Mills.(NEW FOR 2007)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... General Mills is introducing a high-fiber snack called Fiber One Chewy Bars. Available in oats and chocolate and oats and peanut butter flavors, the bars provide about one-third of a person's recommended daily value of fiber with 9 grams...

Sally Hansen.(NEW FOR 2007)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Sally Hansen's newly launched Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer not only provides consumers with a salon-perfect manicure, but also builds stronger nails with keratin and minerals. Delivering salon color, shine and wear, the lacquer features...

Jelly Belly.(NEW FOR 2007)(Jelly Belly Candy Co.)(Sport Beans)(Brief article)
January 15, 2007... Sport Beans jelly beans from Jelly Belly are the newest energy product to hit the market. Containing electrolytes, carbohydrates and vitamins B and C to protect muscles from damage due to intense exercise and to maintain optimal sports...