Drug Store News articles from June 2005

Drug Store News archives from June 2005

Alexandria, Va.--details regarding the Medicare prescription drug benefit plan will be provided for participants through a new Medicare Information Pavilion at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference to be held Aug. 27 to 31 in San Diego.(NEWSBITES)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference)(Medicare prescription drug benefit plan )(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Details regarding the Medicare prescription drug benefit plan will be provided for participants through a new Medicare Information Pavilion at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference...

Madison, N.J.--Wyeth announced the election of Ulf Wiinberg to the position of senior vice president of Wyeth and president of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals EMEA, reporting to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals president Bernard Poussot.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... MADISON, N.J. -- Wyeth announced the election of Ulf Wiinberg to the position of senior vice president of Wyeth and president of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals EMEA, reporting to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals president Bernard Poussot. The company also...

Washington--the country's first medication marketed for a specific ethnic group was approved this week by regulators at the Food and Drug Administration.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The country's first medication marketed for a specific ethnic group was approved this week by regulators at the Food and Drug Administration. Clinical studies showed that African Americans benefited from BiDil, a heart failure...

Washington--medicare will test the possibility of paying for day-care services for disabled elderly people, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced this week.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Medicare will test the possibility of paying for day-care services for disabled elderly people, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced this week. The test will provide an opportunity for home health agencies to partner...

NACDS, APhA host medication therapy conference.(American Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... WASHINGTON -- With the nation's retail pharmacies poised on the brink of a new era in Medicare that will deliver new prescription drug benefits and services to tens of millions of seniors, pharmacists soon will be called on to deliver a...

Rite Aid outlines expansion plans, 1Q financial results.(earnings)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- During a meeting with shareholders, Rite Aid president and chief executive officer Mary Sammons announced that Rite Aid would be opening between 800 and 1,000 new stores over the course of the next five years. Sammons...

Canada drug exportation ban to be announced 'very soon'.(ban on online prescription drug exports)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... OTTAWA -- Canada may be a step closer to enacting a total or partial ban on online prescription drug exports to the United States. First announced in mid-February, the ban will halt or place limits on sales of prescription drugs by...

Wal-Mart heir John Walton dies in homemade plane crash.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
June 29, 2005... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- John Walton, son of Wal-Mart founder and brother of current Wal-Mart chairman Rob Walton, died Monday in a plane accident when the ultralight aircraft he was piloting crashed shortly after take-off from the Jackson Hole...

Walgreens 3Q earnings climb, record net sales recorded.(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens reported third-quarter net earnings were up 20.1 percent to $411 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, from $342.3 million, or 33 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter a year ago. Year-to-date net...

Lawmakers say impotence not covered by Medicare.(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Impotence drugs, such as Viagra, would not be covered by Medicaid and Medicare under new prohibitions approved by the House late last week. By a 285-121 vote, the House approved an amendment by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, to stop...

PharmaCare to partner with Curative Health Services.(PharmaCare Management Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... NASHUA, N.H. -- Curative Health Services announced that it has signed a strategic alliance with PharmaCare Management Services, CVS' pharmacy benefit management company. The agreement makes Curative the preferred provider for specialty home...

NACDS applauds senators supporting Combat Meth Act.(Combat Meth Act of 2005)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores sent a letter to Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in support of the Combat Meth Act of 2005, which they are re-introducing today. "We commend the...

St. Louis--Express Scripts announced that the previously disclosed two-for-one stock split was effected at the close of trading June 24.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Express Scripts announced that the previously disclosed two-for-one stock split was effected at the close of trading June 24. The stock closed at a pre-split price of $101.20 and commenced trading June 27.

New York--Pfizer announced that its board of directors has authorized a new program to purchase up to $5 billion of the company's common stock.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... NEW YORK -- Pfizer announced that its board of directors has authorized a new program to purchase up to $5 billion of the company's common stock. The company noted it expects the purchases to be made from time to time in the open market or in...

Indianapolis--the board of directors of Eli Lilly declared a dividend for the third quarter of 2005 of 38 cents per share.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- The board of directors of Eli Lilly declared a dividend for the third quarter of 2005 of 38 cents per share. The dividend is payable Sept. 9 to shareholders of record at the close of business Aug. 15.

Baltimore--Neighbor-Care announced that its board of directors unanimously recommended that Neighbor-Care shareholders reject Omnicare's offer of $32 per share for all of Neighbor-Care's common stock, not tender their shares and withdraw any shares that they may have previously tendered.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 29, 2005... BALTIMORE -- NeighborCare announced that its board of directors unanimously recommended that Neighbor-Care shareholders reject Omnicare's offer of $32 per share for all of NeighborCare's common stock, not tender their shares and withdraw any...

Houston--HE Butt Grocery Co. has opened the third of five planned walk-in medical clinics in the Houston area.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... HOUSTON -- HE Butt Grocery Co. has opened the third of five planned walk-in medical clinics in the Houston area. Known as RediClinics, these facilities will be run by Houston-based InterFit Health and will be staffed with nurse practitioners.

Minneapolis--Supervalu announced it has named Janel Haugarth as president and coo of distribution food companies.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu announced it has named Janel Haugarth as president and coo of distribution food companies. Haugarth currently serves as president of the company's northern region, headquartered in Hopkins, Minn.

Brisbane, Calif.--Wal-Mart announced that Carter Cas has been named president of Walmart.com, effective July 5.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... BRISBANE, Calif. -- Wal-Mart announced that Carter Cas has been named president of Walmart.com, effective July 5. Cast will succeed John Fleming, who was promoted in April to executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Wal-Mart.

Washington--The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America launched the first-ever online research clearinghouse.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America launched the first-ever online research clearinghouse so patients and consumers can learn firsthand the opinions of experts on the dangers associated with importing...

Alexandria, Va.--The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that it has partnered with EduCap.(financing higher education through loans)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that it has partnered with EduCap to offer the association, its member companies and their employees, retirees, and family members access to higher education financing...

Phoenix--Hypercom Corp. announced that CVS has has purchased 12,000 RFID tag-enabled payment terminals.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... PHOENIX -- Hypercom Corp. announced that CVS has has purchased 12,000 RFID tag-enabled payment terminals. The terminals accept magnetic stripe cards, smart cards and contactless cards.

Winn-Dixie to close more than 300 grocery stores.(financial management)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie on Tuesday announced that in an effort to enhance the company's financial performance and position it for profitability in the long term, it will reduce its store count to 587 total stores from 913 stores. ...

Rite Aid to open four Rite Care medication management units.(in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid on Monday announced the introduction of four Rite Care pharmacies-pharmacies that feature dedicated medication management services-in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh's School of Pharmacy. "Rite...

DrugMax debuts weight loss centers in select retail stores.(in partnership with Medifast)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- DrugMax announced that it has entered an agreement with Medifast, a weight loss and weight management company, to open Hi-Energy Weight Loss Centers within its Familymeds and Arrow Specialty Pharmacies. DrugMax plans...

P&G announces changes to global leadership lineup.(Procter & Gamble Co. to add top executives)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble has announced a string of management changes, including the retirement of Michael Kehoe, president of global oral care, in January. Succeeding Kehoe is Charles Pierce, current president of global family...

NACDS debuts Web page to help track state meth laws.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores last week activated a page on its Web site that helps track state-by-state current legislation that restricts the sale of over-the-counter decongestants pseudoephedrine and the...

Safeway offers severance deal to senior store-level workers.(less expensive labor to replace senior employees)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- In effort to cut costs, Safeway this week began offering senior store-level employess voluntary severance packages to quit their jobs so that the company can replace them with less expensive labor. The buyout is part of...

Kroger, Safeway move PSE behind the pharmacy counter.(pseudoephedrine medications to be sold behind pharmacy counters )(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... NEW YORK -- Safeway and Kroger both announced this week that they will begin selling over-the-counter pseudoephedrine medications from behind pharmacy counters within their stores. Both retailers said they would implement the new policy...

Plan B war being waged across many battle lines.(New Hampshire legislators pass law to dispense emergency birth control without prescription)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... CONCORD, N.H. -- Legislators here last week passed a law allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency birth control without a prescription. New Hampshire is the seventh state to pass such legislation. There are five states currently considering...

AMA members ask group to back drug ad moratorium.(American Medical Association)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... NEW YORK -- The American Medical Association's House of Delegates will vote this week on a measure backing a federal moratorium on drug ads. The federal proposal would delay the start of an ad after a drug is approved and is supported by...

Cincinnati--Kroger reported net earnings of $294.3 million, or 40 cents per fully diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 21.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Kroger reported net earnings of $294.3 million, or 40 cents per fully diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 21. Net earnings in the year-ago period were $262.8 million, or 35 cents per fully diluted share. Total sales...

Pittsburgh--Mylan Laboratories announced a $1.25 billion share buyback program, composed of a modified "Dutch Auction" self-tender for up to approximately 48.8 million shares, or $1 billion, and a $250 million follow-on share repurchase program in the open market or otherwise.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... PITTSBURGH -- Mylan Laboratories announced a $1.25 billion share buyback program, composed of a modified "Dutch Auction" self-tender for up to approximately 48.8 million shares, or $1 billion, and a $250 million follow-on share repurchase...

New York--Bristol-Myers Squibb has reached an agreement to settle the four lawsuits brought against it in New York State Supreme Court by plaintiffs who requested to be excluded from the settlement of a case related to the company's investment in and relationship with ImClone Systems.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... NEW YORK -- Bristol-Myers Squibb has reached an agreement to settle the four lawsuits brought against it in New York State Supreme Court by plaintiffs who requested to be excluded from the settlement of a case related to the company's...

Pittsburgh--H.J. Heinz Co. has signed a definitive agreement with Groupe Danone S.A. to acquire a number of leading culinary sauce brands for approximately $855 million in cash.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... PITTSBURGH -- H.J. Heinz Co. has signed a definitive agreement with Groupe Danone S.A. to acquire a number of leading culinary sauce brands for approximately $855 million in cash. The transaction includes the HP and Lea & Perrins brands and a...

Woonsocket, R.I.--CVS announced that Cardshop-In-A-Box is being featured nationally at 1,300 select CVS stores this month.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS announced that Cardshop-In-A-Box is being featured nationally at 1,300 select CVS stores this month, offering customers a box of 30 handmade greeting cards for $19.95, which represents a value of more than $100 at...

Minneapolis--MinuteClinic has named Michael Howe the company's new chief executive officer.(NEWSBITES)(appointment of Michael Howe )(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- MinuteClinic has named Michael Howe the company's new chief executive officer. At MinuteClinic, Howe will assume overall leadership of the company. Linda Hall Whitman, the company's current chief executive officer, will become...

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--Hy-Vee announced that it will change the name of the company's Drug Town chain of drug stores.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Hy-Vee announced that it will change the name of the company's Drug Town chain of drug stores. Over the course of the next few months, the 26 stores in the Drug Town chain will become known as Hy-Vee Drugstores.

Washington--The Partnership for Safe Medicines, a coalition of patient, physician, pharmacist, university, industry and professional organizations, launched its new SafeMeds Alert System, a free consumer service that will deliver e-mail alerts about counterfeit drugs directly to Americans interested in making certain their prescription medicines are safe.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Partnership for Safe Medicines, a coalition of patient, physician, pharmacist, university, industry and professional organizations, launched its new SafeMeds Alert System, a free consumer service that will deliver e-mail...

Savannah, Ga.--After a six-month pilot program with Pay By Touch, Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. has launched a companywide deployment of a biometric payment system.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... SAVANNAH, Ga. -- After a six-month pilot program with Pay By Touch, Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. has launched a companywide deployment of a biometric payment system. The company launched the system in Savannah-area stores this week and plans...

Walgreens gearing up for boost in its PBM business.(pharmacy benefit management)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Anticipating a big boost from its participation in the Medicare Part D drug benefit program, Walgreen Co. is predicting its managed pharmacy care business could grow as much as fourfold in coming years as millions of...

Pharmacists support generic substitution in most cases.(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... NEW YORK -- According to a new AARP study, most pharmacists agree that generic drugs must be therapeutically equivalent with brand name drugs, and most support generic substitution, the study found. More than two-thirds of pharmacists say...

Ahold first quarter slumps, but company remains optimistic.(Royal Ahold N.V.)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Despite posting unimpressive first quarter results yesterday, Royal Ahold--which owns Stop & Shop, Giant and Tops stores in the United States--remains optimistic. "We have set ourselves challenging targets that we...

Safeway's Dominick's unit strikes deal with Teamsters.(Dominick's Grocery)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... CHICAGO -- More than 500 drivers, warehouse and distribution workers approved a new agreement with Dominick's Grocery, a subsidiary of Safeway. The workers are members of Teamsters Local 703 in Chicago and provide the warehousing and...

Standard & Poor's report: drug stores can fight PBMs.(pharmacy benefit managers)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... NEW YORK -- Major drug store chains should be able to slow the growing mail-order competition from pharmacy benefit managers by offering their own 90-day prescriptions, according to a report issued by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. ...

Wal-Mart scales back benefits for ex-vice chairman Coughlin.(Tom Coughlin)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart said late last week that it was rescinding the retirement agreement for former vice chairman Tom Coughlin, who resigned from the company's board of directors in March amid allegations of improper spending. ...

Rite Aid debuts online prints, disposable digital camera.(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced the launch of two new digital photo services the Rite Aid Digital One-Time-Use Camera line and one-hour digital print-to-store capability from Rite Aid's Web site. Initially, these services will launch in...

Supreme Court rules in favor of loosening patent restrictions.(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court gave drug companies more freedom to develop disease-fighting therapies, ruling yesterday that rival firms' patents do not bar them from starting research on competing medications. The unanimous ruling set aside...

Crawford nears confirmation, but senators aim to block.(Lester Crawford)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The conclusion of an investigation conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general into allegations against U.S. Food Drug Administration commissioner-nominee Lester Crawford could remove one...

Bohemia, N.Y.--NBTY, a manufacturer and marketer of nutritional supplements, announced it has acquired SISU, a Canadian-based manufacturer and distributor of vitamins and supplements for $5.7 million in cash.(FINANCIALS)
June 15, 2005... BOHEMIA, N.Y. -- NBTY, a manufacturer and marketer of nutritional supplements, announced it has acquired SISU, a Canadian-based manufacturer and distributor of vitamins and supplements for $5.7 million in cash. The company also announced that...

Carteret, N.J.--Pathmark announced that its stockholders approved The Yucaipa Companies' $150 million investment in Pathmark at a special meeting of stockholders.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... CARTERET, N.J. -- Pathmark announced that its stockholders approved The Yucaipa Companies' $150 million investment in Pathmark at a special meeting of stockholders. Of the 21.9 million shares voted, more than 83 percent voted in favor of the...

New York--Former Rite Aid chairman and chief executive officer Martin Grass will return to federal court July 15 for re-sentencing on charges related to accounting irregularities at the company in the late 1990s.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... NEW YORK -- Former Rite Aid chairman and chief executive officer Martin Grass will return to federal court July 15 for re-sentencing on charges related to accounting irregularities at the company in the late 1990s. In May 2004, Grass was...

Camp Hill, Pa.--Rite Aid announced that it has called for the redemption of all of its outstanding 11.25 percent senior notes due 2008 in the amount of $150 million.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced that it has called for the redemption of all of its outstanding 11.25 percent senior notes due 2008 in the amount of $150 million.

Minneapolis--The board of directors of Target has declared a quarterly dividend of 10 cents per common share.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- The board of directors of Target has declared a quarterly dividend of 10 cents per common share. The dividend is payable Sept. 10 to shareholders of record Aug. 20. The second quarter dividend will be the company's 152nd...

Fort Washington, Pa.--McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals has recalled several varieties of its Tylenol painkiller for children, due to confusing packaging information that could lead to children being given overly high doses of the medicine.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. -- McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals has recalled several varieties of its Tylenol painkiller for children, due to confusing packaging information that could lead to children being given overly high doses of the...

Indianapolis--Eli Lilly announced that Deidre Connelly, senior vice president for human resources, has been named president of Lilly USA.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- Eli Lilly announced that Deidre Connelly, senior vice president for human resources, has been named president of Lilly USA. In her new position, Connelly will become the head of Lilly USA. She will continue to serve as a...

Denver--Colorado Gov. Bill Owens vetoed two prescription drug bills last week, one that would have required the state to take action to enter a multistate drug purchasing pool, and the other would have allowed eligible citizens to purchase prescription drugs at a discounted rate negotiated through the multistate drug purchasing agreement.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... DENVER -- Colorado Gov. Bill Owens vetoed two prescription drug bills last week, one that would have required the state to take action to enter a multistate drug purchasing pool, and the other would have allowed eligible citizens to purchase...

Bristol, Tenn.--King Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Joseph Squicciarino as the company's new chief financial officer.(NEWSBITES)(Joseph Squicciarino appointed and James Lattanzi retires)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... BRISTOL, Tenn. -- King Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Joseph Squicciarino as the company's new chief financial officer. Squicciarino plans to join King on June 27. Squicciarino, most recently an executive at cosmetics maker...

NACDS Marketplace strengthens business relationships.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores )
June 8, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores held their annual Marketplace Conference June 4 through 7 here. More than 800 manufacturers displayed new products ranging across 12 major categories at this year's Marketplace,...

Wal-Mart says it will continue growth, woo affluent customers.(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... Fayetteville, Ark. -- Despite the overhang of a stagnant stock price and increasingly pessimistic financial analysts, attendees at Wal-Mart's annual shareholders meeting last Friday shook off the aura of negativity and turned the event into...

Marketplace sessions educate on drug retail industry trends.(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- At the NACDS Marketplace conference, Information Resources Inc. released the results of a new study that tracks sales of pseudoephdrine products before and after certain states have required those products to be moved behind...

Teen People Trendspotters pick hottest Marketplace items.
June 8, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- The infamous Teen People Trendspotters once again hit the NACDS Marketplace show floor to pick out the hottest, most innovative products-and the results are in. The winners are: * Hottest product delivery: Almay Nearly...

Canada to ban bulk export of prescription medication.(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... OTTAWA -- Canada's parliamentary health committee has called for a ban on the bulk exports of foreign-made pharmaceuticals. A motion passed late last week that would put a stop to bulk drug exports only and would not ban sales to individuals...

Court rules pharmacists responsible for drug warnings.(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Florida appeals court ruled that a pharmacist can be held responsible for failing to warn about a medication's risks, even when filling a doctor's prescription. The 4th District Court of Appeal said the duty to warn...

CVS introduces world's first disposable digital camcorder.(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS this week debuted the world's first single-use point-and-shoot digital video camera. For under $30, consumers can now enjoy a DVD home video experience that compares to DVD camcorders. The camera can capture up to...

New York--CVS announced that total sales for May, including sales from Eckerd stores, increased 31.5% to $2.85 billion, while May comps increased 5.8 percent.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... NEW YORK -- CVS announced that total sales for May, including sales from Eckerd stores, increased 31.5% to $2.85 billion, while May comps increased 5.8 percent. Walgreens reported May net sales of $3.59 billion, an increase of 13.5 percent...

Hoffman Estates, Ill.--Sears Holdings posted a net loss of $9 million, or 7 cents per share, for the first quarter, including an accounting change of $90 million after taxes.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. --Sears Holdings posted a net loss of $9 million, or 7 cents per share, for the first quarter, including an accounting change of $90 million after taxes. Excluding that charge, Sears earned $81 million, or 65 cents per...

Boise, Idaho--Albertsons reported that first quarter net earnings rose 93 percent to $107 million, compared to $56 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of the prior year.(FINANCIALS)(Albertson's Inc. Idaho Div.)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons reported that first quarter net earnings rose 93 percent to $107 million, compared to $56 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of the prior year. Total sales grew 16 percent to $10 billion...

New York--Financier Carl Icahn and his High River affiliate is again making noise surrounding a generic drug company in which he has a sizeable stake.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 8, 2005... NEW YORK -- Financier Carl Icahn and his High River affiliate is again making noise surrounding a generic drug company in which he has a sizeable stake. Icahn now wants to acquire Mylan Laboratories for $20 a share, or more than $5 billion.

Alexandria, Va.--The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is gearing up for its annual Marketplace Conference June 4 through June 7 in New Orleans.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is gearing up for its annual Marketplace Conference June 4 through June 7 in New Orleans. Marketplace 2005 will feature new products and pull together masses of retailers and...

Newark, Del. -- Happy Harry's announced that it is working with the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... NEWARK, Del. -- Happy Harry's announced that it is working with the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assist in educating seniors about Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. Happy...

Cincinnati--Procter & Gamble announced that it would retain the following members of Gillette's senior management team following the merger of the two companies.(NEWSBITES)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble announced that it would retain the following members of Gillette's senior management team following the merger of the two companies: Mike Cowhig will be appointed to the position of global technical and...

Longs Drug Stores hosts annual shareholder meeting.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores at its annual meeting of shareholders on May 24 announced a new share repurchase program, declared a cash dividend and announced the preliminary proxy results at its 2005 Annual Meeting of...

Kerr Drug opens in-store weight loss centers in two stores.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... OWINGS MILLS, MD. -- Medifast, a weight loss and weight management company, announced the launch of the first clinical weight loss centers, dubbed Hi-Energy Weight Control Centers, in two Kerr Drug stores in Greensboro, N.C., and Raleigh,...

BJ's outlines growth plans, will add 20 Rx units this year.(B J's Wholesale Club Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... NATICK, Mass. -- At BJ's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, the major themes presented by chief executive officer Mike Wedge included private label growth, more rapid pace of expansion, a redoubled emphasis on fresh foods and an...

ScriptSave adds to portfolio with CVS, Walgreens and WMT.(CVS H.C. Inc.)(Walgreen Co.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... TUCSON, Ariz. -- ScriptSave, a provider of prescription drug discount programs, recently added CVS, Wal-Mart and Walgreens to its pharmacy network, creating one of the country's largest pharmacy networks. ScriptSave's pharmacy network...

Barr says it may file lawsuit if Plan B OTC rejected again.(BARR Laboratories Inc.)(over the counter sales )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- Barr Labs last week said it would consider suing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration if its revamped application to sell the Plan B contraceptive without a prescription is rejected, according to published reports....

FDA investigating vision loss linked to use of Pfizer's Viagra.(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- Health officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating reports that some men who use Viagra and other impotence drugs are getting a rare form of blindness, according to published reports. Howard...

Purdue, H.D. Smith roll out first RFID drug pedigree pilot.(SupplyScape Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... BLUE BELL, Pa.-- Unisys Corp. and SupplyScape Corp. announced a pilot program that is the pharmaceutical industry's first electronic drug pedigree, which is a certificate of authenticity detailing a drug's movement through the supply chain....

Survey shows pharmacists concerned about statin switch.(over-the-counter drugs services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... LITTLE FALLS, N.J. -- A survey being conducted by Kline & Co. has elicited differing opinions among pharmacists regarding the possible switch for some cholesterol-lowering drugs from prescription to over-the-counter status in the United...

Carteret, N.J.--Pathmark rejected an amended acquisition proposal from an unnamed bidder, letting an $8.75 a share offer expire late Wednesday, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... CARTERET, N.J. -- Pathmark rejected an amended acquisition proposal from an unnamed bidder, letting an $8.75 a share offer expire late Wednesday, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company previously had...

Nashville, Tenn.--Caremark and the federal government are near a settlement of an investigation of a Caremark subsidiary that would require the company to pay $100 million, according to published reports.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Caremark and the federal government are near a settlement of an investigation of a Caremark subsidiary that would require the company to pay $100 million, according to published reports. The settlement involves AdvancePCS,...

Green Bay, Wis.--ShopKo announced it has received notification that the Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period under the HartScott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo announced it has received notification that the Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period under the HartScott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to the...