Drug Store News articles from January 2008

Drug Store News archives from January 2008

What's it mean to be green?
January 14, 2008... Green. It's a buzzword, but, what does the growing awareness around green mean to pharmacy operators, beyond trading the white lab coats for olive? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For starters, become a receiving repository for pharmaceutical...

AMP injunction an 11th-hour victory for Rx.
January 14, 2008... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- On the critical issue of Medicaid prescription reimbursements, the drug store industry faces the New Year with a little breathing room. In a dramatic, 11th-hour turn of events, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth...

Rite Aid closes Las Vegas stores.(INDUSTRY WATCH)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid earlier this month terminated its operation of 28 Rite Aid stores in the Las Vegas area--a noncore market that hasn't been contributing to Rite Aid's overall results--and has signed an agreement to sell patient...

Rite Aid confident despite projection drop.(Financial report)
January 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Rite Aid's brass may have lowered its earnings projections for its fiscal year 2008 last month, but management says the Brooks/Eckerd conversions are still on course, and the company is primed to realize its full future growth...

New NYC CVS flagship highlights Project Life.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
January 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- CVS recently opened the doors to its new flagship Manhattan store that incorporates many of the elements of its Project Life design and features a large beauty department and skin care center. The 24-hour store is located at...

Coty, Del deal closes.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
January 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Industry consolidation continues, as Coty has acquired Del Laboratories, a move that adds Del's flagship Sally. Hansen beauty brand and an OTC pharmaceutical business to Coty's portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, all...

With e-Rx poised for breakout, SureScripts mulls next move.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(SureScript Systems Inc.)
January 14, 2008... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The planned departure of Kevin Hutchinson as president and chief executive officer of SureScripts comes at a propitious time for electronic prescribing and the nationwide conversion to health information technology. ...

FDA panels vote against Mevacor Daily OTC switch.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
January 14, 2008... SILVER SPRING, Md. -- It's safe. It's effective. But again it was the lack of appropriate self-selection that scuttled Merck's third attempt at switching its Mevacor statin from prescription to over-the-counter status. A pair of Food and...

NACDS, Walgreens partner in Successful Selling.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)
January 14, 2008... CHICAGO -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores next month will be hosting its second Successful Selling conference, an event for small- to midtier companies looking to break into the drug channel of trade or make that channel more...

Q & A: Kathy Steirly.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(dialogue with Kathy Steirly)(Interview)
January 14, 2008... To gain further insight into the Successful Selling conference, Drug Store News asked Kathy Steirly, divisional vice president and general merchanidse manager at Walgreens, and Rich Swanson, chairman of the NACDS Outreach and Business...

Q & A: Rich Swanson.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(dialogue with Rich Swanson)(Interview)
January 14, 2008... To gain further insight into the Successful Selling conference, Drug Store News asked Kathy Steirly, divisional vice president and general merchanidse manager at Walgreens, and Rich Swanson, chairman of the NACDS Outreach and Business...

New Year's resolutions in resolution.(OPINION)
January 14, 2008... This year my New Year's resolution is to stop all that last-minute rushing around all the time and quit bragging about how Drug Store News always has its finger on the pulse of the industry. I really don't have the time for that any...

2008 fast forward: rather than take off for Christmas, the editors of Drug Store News took a look ahead at the eight big stories that will make the news in retail pharmacy this year.
January 14, 2008... 1. Mum's the M-word? Pharmacy operators still are losing sleep over the "M" words--Medicare, Medicaid and mail-order pharmacy. But developments on all three fronts could make 2008 a better year for community pharmacy. [ILLUSTRATION...

Kerr Drug.(Regional Rx Report)
January 14, 2008... SANFORD, N.C. -- Kerr Drug officials are calling the newest drug store and Community Healthcare Center opened in mid-November a hybrid. At 16,000 square feet, the new store, located about 35 miles southwest of Kerr's headquarters, marks the...

Duane Reade.(Regional Rx Report)(Duane Reade Holding Corp.)
January 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Industry observers have been keeping their eye on Duane Reade as chairman, president and chief executive officer Rick Dreiling, who took the helm in November 2005, forges ahead with the company's turnaround plan. The initiative,...

Bartell Drugs.(Regional Rx Report)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... SEATTLE -- Bartell Drugs, a 55-store regional pharmacy chain nestled in the shadows of Mt. Rainier and the Space Needle, wants to maintain its focus on health and wellness for its Pacific Northwest shoppers but also energize the shopping...

Navarro Discount Pharmacy.(Regional Rx Report)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... MIAMI -- Fresh from its acquisition of Sedano's, a Hispanic drug retail company, Navarro Discount Pharmacy is opening, in partnership with Continucare Corp., the first ValuClinic in-store health clinic in Hollywood, Fla. [ILLUSTRATION...

Drug Fair Group.(Regional Rx Report)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... SOMERSET, N.J. -- Retail veteran Timothy LaBeau, who was brought in to reposition the Drug Fair Group following the late 2005 acquisition by Sun Capital Partners, has been hard at work developing a new store prototype. Unveiled in June at...

Lewis Drug.(Regional Rx Report)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Celebrating anniversary No. 65 in February, Lewis Drug has been continually morphing its larger-than-average drug store footprint to better compete with any national retailer looking to gain entry into the South Dakota,...

Pharmaca.(Regional Rx Report)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... BOULDER, Colo. -- Showing there's room for niche players in traditional pharmacy, the 18-store Pharmaca chain added five stores in 2007 and plans to open at least seven new locations in 2008. "Pharmaca experienced an almost 40 percent...

Organic, functional products to boost candy sales in 2008.(CONSUMABLES)
January 14, 2008... Wouldn't it be great to have a crystal ball to help us predict what will drive growth in the candy aisles in 2008? While nothing can be certain, a few trends probably will boost candy sales in the coming year. Here's what the experts tell us:...

Coke bottle gains a metal edge.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Coca-Cola in 2008 will begin test-marketing Coke and Coke Zero products in aluminum bottles, joining Budweiser and PepsiCo in embracing this cutting-edge form of packaging. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company commissioned five young...

Stop & Shop raises $1.24 million for hunger relief.(CONSUMABLES)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... QUINCY, Mass. -- Stop & Shop raised $1.24 million last month for its 18th Annual Campaign Against Hunger. As part of Stop & Shop's Food for Friends campaign, which supports local and regional food pantries in the Northeast, each Stop &...

Starbucks.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Starbucks is partnering with Tassimo, the hot beverage system that delivers a diverse assortment of coffeehouse-quality beverages at home, by providing four Starbucks coffee blends through single-serve convenience. Starbucks' breakfast blend,...

Weight Watchers International.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Weight Watchers International plans to launch a line of snack cakes and muffins in 7-Eleven stores across the United States as it increases the range of its licensed products for weight-conscious consumers. The company will additionally roll...

Kettle Foods.(Supplier News)(Partnership of Kettle Foods and National Wildlife Federation )(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Kettle Foods announced it is joining forces with the National Wildlife Federation to launch its newest flavor--backyard barbeque. The partnership will be promoted on every bag of backyard barbeque potato chips from Jan. 1 to Aug. 1, 2008,...

Thanasi Foods.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Thanasi Foods, a leading developer and supplier of branded foods, last month added of three new meat snacks to its Frank's Redhot line. Frank's Redhot original sausage sticks and Frank's Redhot chile 'n lime sausage sticks currently are...

Mineral makeup intros soar in '08.(BEAUTY CARE)(Editorial)
January 14, 2008... The mineral-based makeup madness at mass shows no signs of slowing as major beauty players enter the segment in a big way in 2008. According to research by Mintel, between 2001 and 2006 makeup grew 6 percent in constant prices, reaching $6...

By the numbers.(BEAUTY CARE)
January 14, 2008... 21& Projected makeup sales increase through 2011

Expect more acquisitions in natural care.(BEAUTY CARE)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... LITTLE FALLS, N.J. -- Moving into 2008, the mass market is likely to see even further growth--and perhaps acquisitions--in the natural personal care segment as it continues its shift from niche distribution channels to mainstream mass outlets,...

A kinder way to curl.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Women want long, full and curled lashes, but not every woman feels comfortable using an eyelash curler. Looking to take the scary factor out of curling lashes, Del Laboratories' La Cross brand has introduced for 2008 the Gentle Curl lash...

Woodridge Labs has teamed up with Manhattan-based nutritionist Keri Glassman to develop the new Skin Appetit skin care collection.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Woodridge Labs has teamed up with Manhattan-based nutritionist Keri Glassman to develop the new Skin Appetit skin care collection. The Skin Appetit products, which launch in March, are made with a proprietary blend of ingredients selected...

Maybelline New York.(Supplier News)(Maybelline Co. has appointed Jessica White as its newest spokeswoman.)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Maybelline New York has named supermodel Jessica White as its newest spokeswoman. She will make her television and print debut in February. She joins Maybelline New York's roster, which includes Christy Turlington, Erin Wasson, Adriana...

L'Oreal Paris.(Supplier News)(L'Oreal Paris has appointed Pierce Brosnan as its new spokesman.)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... L'Oreal Paris has appointed actor and producer Pierce Brosnan as its new spokesman, representing the Men Expert skin care line in all continents apart from North America. The news came as the French beauty company also unveiled its revamped Web...

Home office products build momentum.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)
January 14, 2008... Drug stores have a fairly low profile when it comes to the home office category, but some now are carrying a wider array of products as small electronics become a bigger part of the overall general merchandise mix. Leading that effort is...

Inkjet refill service gains traction at drug stores.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... BOSTON -- Inkjet cartridge refills in stores was a nascent business at this time last year, but it has gained traction with consumers as it becomes more available. And it's expected to become even more prevalent this year as more retailers jump...

American Greetings.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... American Greetings has signed an agreement with Muhammad Ali Enterprises that will allow the company to introduce a line of greeting cards featuring the legendary boxer this month. The Muhammad Ali Collection is due to arrive in January and...

MGA Entertainment has signed a deal with LionsGate Entertainment making the studio the sole distributor of DVDs based on its Bratz line of dolls.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... MGA Entertainment has signed a deal with LionsGate Entertainment making the studio the sole distributor of DVDs based on its Bratz line of dolls. The studio has the rights to five previous Bratz videos and will release its first title, "Bratz...

Pentel of America.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Pentel of America has upped its commitment to eco-friendly products with the launch of its Recycology Program. Products under the new banner, including refillable EnerGel Deluxe liquid gel pens, Tape 'N Glue double-sided tape and retractable...

Douglas Co.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Douglas Co. last month debuted its line of Sshlumpies to its Cuddle Baby assortment of soft toys. The 17-inch, under-stuffed animal dolls are designed for toddlers, feature satin paws and footpads and retail for $16. The dolls are available in...

Small frames hit it big.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Digital photo frames went from a novelty item to a must-have gift during the holidays. And as the industry picks up steam, frames are popping up in different shapes and sizes, and the latest trend is the pocket-sized frame. The Pocket...

Auburn faculty, grad pool ideas to build new pharmacy concept.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 14, 2008... AUBURN, Ala. -- Groundbreaking begins this month on a new and, in some ways, unique experiment in community pharmacy, as a team of Auburn University educators join with one of the school's higher-profile alumni to build a high-tech model...

U.S., China finalize pacts to monitor import safety.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 14, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Capping six months of back-and-forth visits and negotiations, the United States and The People's Republic of China have signed a wide-ranging set of agreements aimed at ensuring that medicines, food, medical devices and other...

Rx safety effort enlists patients; collaboration shows promise.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 14, 2008... MILWAUKEE -- Efforts to reach seniors in this city through a new and unusual medication-safety initiative appear to be paying off. The pilot program, launched as a collaborative effort by Aurora Health Care, has yielded measurable...

Generic assault lurks for branded heart-health meds.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
January 14, 2008... At the beginning of last year, the heart disease market was expected to see large capital gains and new drug arrivals that would further the growth in the market. Now, as the retail pharmacy market edges closer and closer to the years when...

Crestor gains FDA approval to treat atherosclerosis.(CHAIN PHARMACY)(Drug overview)
January 14, 2008... WILMINGTON, Del. -- AstraZeneca's drug Crestor has joined the elite ranks of cholesterol-fighting agents that also have been indicated to fight atherosclerosis. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Crestor as an adjunct to...

Insurance, costs lower customer satisfaction.(ECRM[R] Branded Rx)
January 14, 2008... Anger among patients over rising insurance co-pay levels and higher out-of-pocket costs at the prescription counter appears to be increasing. And it's partly to blame for a decline in customer satisfaction levels within the nation's drug store,...

NPs' overwhelmingly satisfied with retail clinics.(ECRM[R] Branded Rx)(Statistical table)
January 14, 2008... A recent survey of nurse practitioners conducted by Retail Clinician, part of the Drug Store News Group, found that nearly all nurse practitioners expressed satisfaction working in a retail-clinic environment, but there remain opportunities for...

Independents, PBM group battle over Medicare payments.(ECRM[R] Branded Rx)
January 14, 2008... Independent pharmacy and the pharmacy benefit management industry once again are at loggerheads. And once again, the issue is the speed--or lack thereof--of payments to pharmacies by prescription drug plans for Medicare prescription claims. ...

Mobile disease-management system goes OTC.(ECRM[R] Branded Rx)
January 14, 2008... Patients; with chronic diseases and their caregivers now will be able to buy, without a prescription, a mobile phone-based system that will track their conditions electronically and help them stay on track with their drug and medical device...

Aetna, Colgate partner in campaign for better overall health.(ECRM[R] Branded Rx)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Aetna and Colgate have joined to help Aetna members achieve better oral health as a way to obtain better overall health. The campaign is designed to educate members about the link between oral and systemic health, as well as provide information...

Survey shows support for pharmacy tech certification.(ECRM[R] Branded Rx)
January 14, 2008... Americans have wide-spread misconceptions about the required qualifications of the people helping pharmacists prepare prescriptions a new survey by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board shows. The majority of Americans believe that...

Namaste.(NEW FOR 2008)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... To aid in the treatment of damaged hair, Namaste has added a new tool to its hair restoration arsenal. Namaste's Organic Root Stimulator Hair Fertilizer helps strengthen and nourish weak, damaged hair naturally, and currently is available at...

General Mills.(NEW FOR 2008)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... General Mills is introducing two new products under the Fiber One franchise--Fiber One Caramel Delight Cereal and Fiber One Oats & Caramel Chewy Bars. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fiber One Caramel Delight Cereal contains 9 grams of fiber...

Kirby Lester.(NEW FOR 2008)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Kirby Lester in 2008 will introduce the KL20 counting system with two-way interfacing to pharmacy management systems. The company also will launch the companion Verification Station. The KL20 and Verification Station will be available...

Unlike any other weave style and maintenance product line, Organic Root Stimulator's latest collection seeks to resolve many of the concerns often encountered by consumers, including tight, itchy scalp, hair breakage and weighed-down locks.(NEW FOR 2008)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Unlike any other weave style and maintenance product line, Organic Root Stimulator's latest collection seeks to resolve many of the concerns often encountered by consumers, including tight, itchy scalp, hair breakage and weighed-down locks. ...

MedCenter System.(NEW FOR 2008)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... The MedCenter System is an innovative reminder system that combines a monthly medication organizer with an alarm clock that verbally reminds users to take their pills. Unlike most weekly pill boxes, the MedCenter system consists of 31...

Downy.(NEW FOR 2008)(Brief article)
January 14, 2008... Downy in February will introduce Downy Simple Pleasures Radiance Collection, a new line of fabric enhancers that offers luxurious smelling fragrances--designed by the same perfumers that created scents for Gucci and Valentine--for fabrics. The...