Drug Store News articles from March 2005

Drug Store News archives from March 2005

New York--NOP World announced results from its Hispanic OmniTel Retail Study revealing where Hispanic Americans are shopping and why.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... NEW YORK -- NOP World announced results from its Hispanic OmniTel Retail Study revealing where Hispanic Americans are shopping and why. Asked to name their favorite store, Wal-Mart was far and away the top selection at 36 percent, with...

Jerusalem--Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted the drug maker tentative approval for the generic equivalent of Pfizer's Norvasc.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... JERUSALEM -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted the drug maker tentative approval for the generic equivalent of Pfizer's Norvasc. Teva is not expected to receive final approval for...

Kenilworth, N.J.--Schering-Plough announced that Susan Arbuck has been appointed vice president of oncology and global clinical development for the ScheringPlough Research Institute.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... KENILWORTH, N.J. -- Schering-Plough announced that Susan Arbuck has been appointed vice president of oncology and global clinical development for the Schering-Plough Research Institute. Arbuck is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and reports to...

Atlanta--the Coca-Cola Co. announced changes to its senior management team.(Newsbites)(Mary Minnick leads)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... ATLANTA -- The Coca-Cola Co. announced changes to its senior management team. Beginning May 1, 21-year company veteran Mary Minnick will lead a new corporate function to oversee the coordination of the company's marketing, innovation and...

Walgreens boosts store growth, earnings.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 30, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. achieved another sales and earnings record while maintaining a furious store-opening clip in the second quarter and first half ended Feb. 28. Walgreens opened 178 new stores in the first six months of...

Iowa moves pseudoephedrine behind the counter.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa governor Tom Vilsack signed a bill restricting access to pseudoephedrine, an ingredient common in cold medicine that's also used to produce the highly addictive drug methamphetamine. The legislation is considered...

Wal-Mart internal probe results turned over to U.S. attorney.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart announced late Friday that it had initiated an internal company investigation. The in-house probe revealed impropriety of up to $500,000 relating to personal reimbursements, payment of third party invoices and...

Kmart, Sears merge; no plans for store closings.(Sears Holdings Corp.)(Kmart Holding Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- In a meeting that lasted less than four minutes, Kmart shareholders voted to approve the company's merger with Sears, with 69 percent of total shareholders voting for the merger, 99 percent of shareholders who...

Pathmark gets cash infusion from Yucaipa investment firm.(Pathmark Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... CARTERET, N.J. -- Pathmark Stores and The Yucaipa Companies jointly announced the execution of a definitive agreement under which Yucaipa will invest $150 million in Pathmark. Yucaipa also has executed a five-year management agreement...

Arkansas law makers reject PBM regulation legislation.(pharmacy benefit managers)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas House Bill 2845, which would have regulated pharmacy benefit managers, failed in a House committee, with lawmakers heeding warnings from businesses that the legislation was unneeded and unwanted. If it had...

Winn-Dixie delays closings, looks to sell capital assets.(Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.)(Tom Robbins appointed)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to extend by 150 days the April 22 deadline, by which time it was to have decided which of its stores would be closed or kept open, according to published reports The...

Wal-Mart crafts ad campaign targeting Asian Americans.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- Wal-Mart unveiled an advertising campaign geared toward the AsianAmerican market that is entirely in their own native languages. Beginning April 1, the new ad campaign will run in select U.S. cities, including Los Angeles,...

Rye Brook, N.Y.--Universal American Financial and PharmaCare announced that they have established a strategic alliance to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit plans.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- Universal American Financial and PharmaCare announced that they have established a strategic alliance to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit plans. PharmaCare will provide comprehensive pharmacy benefit...

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.--Andrx announced it has completed the previously announced sale of its branded drug products, including Fortamet and Altoprev, to First Horizon Pharmaceutical.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Andrx announced it has completed the previously announced sale of its branded drug products, including Fortamet and Altoprev, to First Horizon Pharmaceutical. At the close of the deal, Andrx received $50 million for...

Atlanta--NDCHealth announced the sale of its 49.5 percent membership interest in HealthTrans LLC.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... ATLANTA -- NDCHealth announced the sale of its 49.5 percent membership interest in HealthTrans LLC, a pharmacy benefit administrator, to the holder of the balance of the equity, which includes certain management executives of HealthTrans....

Hyderabad, India--India-based generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's announced it has entered a $56 million agreement with a venture capital company.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2005... HYDERABAD, India -- India-based generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's announced it has entered a $56 million agreement with a venture capital company for the development and commercialization of abbreviated new drug applications filed with the Food...

Manchester, England--Atkins Nutritionals is closing its operations in the United Kingdom, a move that might signal the end of its presence in Europe.( )(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... MANCHESTER, England -- Atkins Nutritionals is closing its operations in the United Kingdom, a move that might signal the end of its presence in Europe. The company stated that it hopes to keep approximately 20 SKUs on store shelves and to...

Dayton, Ohio--The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to the SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... DAYTON, Ohio -- The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to the SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation. The donation has been designated to support the New York Kids In Need Resource Center, which provides free school supplies to children...

Wilmington, Del.--AstraZeneca announced that that the Food and Drug Administration has formally denied the Public Citizen's Health Research Group's petition to remove AstraZeneca's statin Crestor from the market.( )(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... WILMINGTON, Del. -- AstraZeneca announced that that the Food and Drug Administration has formally denied the Public Citizen's Health Research Group's petition to remove AstraZeneca's statin Crestor from the market. Despite the decision,...

New York--On April 30, Revlon spokeswoman Julianne Moore, along with more than 40,000 participants, will meet in Times Square for the 8th annual Revlon Run/Walk For Women.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... NEW YORK -- On April 30, Revlon spokeswoman Julianne Moore, along with more than 40,000 participants, will meet in Times Square for the 8th annual Revlon Run/Walk For Women. Among the largest 5K events in the nation, the Revlon Run/Walks in...

Walgreens partners with United Health in Part D deal.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- Ovations, a business unit of UnitedHealth Group, announced that it has selected Walgreens and its subsidiary business, Walgreens Health Initiatives, as its partner for the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. Ovations...

PhRMA aims to repair public image of drug industry.(Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced that it would go on the offensive to repair a tattered public image--an image only exasperated by separate public debates surrounding the cost and safety of...

Jean Coutu expands distribution deal with McKesson.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group announced that it has renewed and expanded its supply agreement with McKesson Corp., which now becomes the primary supplier of pharmaceutical products for more than 1,900 Eckerd and Brooks retail...

NACDS to hold annual meeting, co-sponsor RFID summit.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Radio Frequency Identification)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores will hold its Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., next month. Presentations will be given by several keynote speakers, including Emmy Award-winning television journalist Forrest...

Generics account for majority of top-10 prescriptions in 2004.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... ATLANTA -- NDCHealth reported its 2004 rankings for the U.S. pharmaceutical industry based on prescription-centric data reported by the NDC Pharmaceutical Audit Suite, and key findings include the fact that generic products accounted for six...

HHS secretary talks imports with Canadian health minister.(Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt this week discussed prescription drug imports with Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, who said that there is no pressure from the U.S. government to curb prescription drug...

Minn. expands Rx imports to U.K.-based pharmacies.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty plans to expand his state's prescription drug importation program, called Minnesota RxConnect, to include British mail-order pharmacies. Within two months, the program could include two...

Medicaid expands coverage to stop-smoking counseling.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it is adding coverage for certain beneficiaries for smoking and tobacco-use cessation counseling. The expanded Medicaid coverage also applies to beneficiaries who...

New York--Duane Reade reported that fourth-quarter net sales increased 12.8 percent to $432.5 million, with pharmacy sales increasing 25.9 percent.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade reported that fourth-quarter net sales increased 12.8 percent to $432.5 million, with pharmacy sales increasing 25.9 percent. Same-store sales increased 0.1 percent over the prior year, reflecting a 3.8 percent...

Cincinnati--The Procter & Gamble company and The Gillette company announced that the Federal Trade Commission issued a request for additional information in connection with its review of the proposed merger between the two companies.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... CINCINNATI -- The Procter & Gamble company and The Gillette company announced that the Federal Trade Commission issued a request for additional information in connection with its review of the proposed merger between the two companies. The...

Jacksonville, Fla.--Winn-Dixie Stores announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has granted final approval for the company's $800 million debtor-in-possession credit facility from Wachovia Bank.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has granted final approval for the company's $800 million debtor-in-possession credit facility from Wachovia Bank. In addition, the court also granted final...

Ristol, Tenn.--King Pharmaceuticals announced that total revenue decreased 6 percent to $342.6 million during the fourth quarter, compared with the fourth quarter of last year.(Brief Article)
March 23, 2005... RISTOL, Tenn. -- King Pharmaceuticals announced that total revenue decreased 6 percent to $342.6 million during the fourth quarter, compared with the fourth quarter of last year. Net earnings equaled $33.8 million, and diluted earnings per...

Framingham, Mass.--Staples and Stop & Shop announced that they will collaborate on a Staples-branded store-within-a-store section in all 550 of Stop & Shop Supermarkets and Giant Food stores throughout the Northeast.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Staples and Stop & Shop announced that they will collaborate on a Staples-branded store-within-a-store section in all 550 of Stop & Shop Supermarkets and Giant Food stores throughout the Northeast. The new program will...

Pleasanton, Calif.--Safeway announced that Peter Magowan, former chairman, president and chief executive officer of the company, is retiring from the company's board of directors, effective March 31.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Peter Magowan, former chairman, president and chief executive officer of the company, is retiring from the company's board of directors, effective March 31. Magowan has been associated with Safeway...

New York--L'Oreal has appointed Laurent Attal president and chief executive officer of L'Oreal USA, effective July 1.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... NEW YORK -- L'Oreal has appointed Laurent Attal president and chief executive officer of L'Oreal USA, effective July 1. He succeeds Jean-Paul Agon, who is returning to Paris to serve as chief executive officer of L'Oreal Group in 2006. Attal...

Washington--The Government Accountability Office reported that federal health officials are not enforcing a law that requires drug companies to cut their prices on drugs bought by Medicaid.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Government Accountability Office reported that federal health officials are not enforcing a law that requires drug companies to cut their prices on drugs bought by Medicaid. GAO investigators found that the Center for...

Kerr Drug, MinuteClinic unveil new concepts.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... AVENTURA, Fla. -- Two innovative pharmacy formats were showcased last week at the 124th annual meeting of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association: a new prototype from Kerr Drug and an in-store clinic concept from MinuteClinic. The...

Duane Reade upgrades loyalty card program.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade late last week announced significant changes to its customer loyalty Dollar Rewards Program. In addition to special item discounts, the new program will reward customers every time they use their card to make a...

Kmart to convert 400 stores to Sears name after merger.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart announced plans to convert approximately 400 of its stores to a Sears-branded format over the first three years following its merger with Sears, Roebuck and Co. Regarding the store conversions, in its annual report...

StatScript / MIM merger creates new specialty player.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- The merger earlier this month between MIM Corp. and Chronimed Inc. has created one of the country's largest specialty pharmacies. On March 9, MIM announced it would acquire Chronimed, parent company of the specialty...

OTC industry concerns cited at CHPA annual meeting.(over-the-counter)(Consumer Healthcare Products Association)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... AVENTURA, Fla. -- The over-the-counter drug industry is "at a critical juncture," reported Tim Hayes, chairman of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and senior vice president and region head, North America, Bayer Healthcare, during...

PharmaCare chosen as PBM for steelworker retiree group.(pharmacy benefit management services)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... LINCOLN, R.I. -- PharmaCare, a subsidiary of CVS, has been chosen by the International Steel Group's Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association to administer the prescription drug program for thousands of retirees affected by the...

Canada changes time frame for drug export legislation.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... OTTOWA -- In a curious reversal of previous announcements, Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said late last week that he was "nowhere near" deciding how to clamp down on Canada-based Internet pharmacies that export cheap medicine to the...

Boise, Idaho--Albertson's announced that fourth quarter net earnings increased 44 percent to $186 million, or 50 cents per diluted share, compared with $129 million or 35 cents per diluted share in the prior year.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's announced that fourth quarter net earnings increased 44 percent to $186 million, or 50 cents per diluted share, compared with $129 million or 35 cents per diluted share in the prior year. The company reported that...

Green Bay, Wis.--ShopKo announced that net sales for the fourth quarter were $909.6 million, compared with $952.9 million last year--a decline of approximately 4.5 percent.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo announced that net sales for the fourth quarter were $909.6 million, compared with $952.9 million last year--a decline of approximately 4.5 percent. Net income for the fourth quarter increased 12 percent to $35.4...

Troy, Mich.--Kmart Holding Corp. announced that net income for the fourth quarter totaled $309 million, or $3.09 per diluted share, compared with $270 million, or $2.78 per share for the same period in fiscal 2003.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart Holding Corp. announced that net income for the fourth quarter totaled $309 million, or $3.09 per diluted share, compared with $270 million, or $2.78 per share for the same period in fiscal 2003. Total revenue dropped 7...

Washington--The Nation Retail Federation found that consumers will be spending less this Easter than last year--$9.6 billion, down from $10.5 billion a year ago.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 16, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Nation Retail Federation found that consumers will be spending less this Easter than last year--$9.6 billion, down from $10.5 billion a year ago. The NRF feels that the calendar may play the biggest role in the spending...

Washington--the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is holding a conference dubbed Emerging Trends in Pharmacy Benefit Design at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, March 23 and 24.(Newsbites)
March 9, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is holding a conference dubbed Emerging Trends in Pharmacy Benefit Design at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, March 23 and 24. The first day of the event is a pre-conference for...

Bentonville, Ark.--a Wal-Mart spokesperson announced that Bob Connolly, the chief merchandising officer of Wal-Mart Stores, will retire effective at the end of the year.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A Wal-Mart spokesperson announced that Bob Connolly, the chief merchandising officer of Wal-Mart Stores, will retire effective at the end of the year. Wal-Mart said that it will be looking internally and externally for a...

Lakeland, Fla.--Publix announced that it is converting two Florida stores to a Hispanic-themed supermarket format called Publix Sabor.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix announced that it is converting two Florida stores to a Hispanic-themed supermarket format called Publix Sabor. The company said it expects the new format stores to open by early May. The stores will feature expanded...

Washington--the Centers for Disease Control reported that this year's flu season is shaping up to be less severe than last year.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Disease Control reported that this year's flu season is shaping up to be less severe than last year. Last year, flu cases started early and rapidly hit a high point in December, clogging emergency rooms with flu...

CVS, Walgreens fight drug pedigree law in Florida.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Lobbyists for CVS, Walgreens and the Florida Retail Federation are working to relax the drug pedigree paper trail required in the state of Florida by the Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2003. The group has appealed...

Rite Aid reports preliminary 4Q and full-year results.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid reported that preliminary total drug store sales for the fourth quarter decreased 1.3 percent to $4.32 billion against $4.38 billion in the same quarter last year. Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 0.9...

Longs Drug Stores announces executive lineup changes.(appointments)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores announced several management changes at the executive level of the organization, effectively immediately. The changes are as follows: * Bruce Schwallie, executive vice president and chief...

Jean Coutu expands Rx Center, builds new distribution center.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group announced that it has completed the expansion of its Information Technology "Rx Center" in Longueuil and that it will build a new distribution center in Hawkesbury, Ontario. The company's Rx...

Kinney Drugs makes changes to organizational structure.(appointments)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- Kinney Drugs recently announced several changes to the company's organizational structure. The changes are as follows: * Dan Villa has been named president of ProAct, a pharmacy benefit management company and a...

FDA, DOJ seize Glaxo drugs on manufacturing concerns.(Food and Drug Administration )(Department of Justice )(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... WASHINGTON -- In a response to ongoing concerns about manufacturing quality, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice last week initiated seizures of Paxil CR and Avandamet tablets manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. ...

Prescription importation still a confusing tug of war.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Canadian and U.S. officials remain at odds over the future of prescription drug importation. Senator Charles Grassley said the Senate will pass a bill allowing the importation of drugs from Canada. "We are going to get...

Kroger reports 4Q results, Winn-Dixie buyout rumored.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Kroger announced that total sales for the fourth quarter of 2004 increased 5.1 percent to $13.7 billion. The company reported a net loss of $675.9 million, or 93 cents per share, for the fourth quarter. The company expects 2005...

Woonsocket, R.I.--CVS announced that total sales for February increased 35.9 percent to $2.89 billion, compared to $2.13 billion in the same month last year.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS announced that total sales for February increased 35.9 percent to $2.89 billion, compared to $2.13 billion in the same month last year. Same-store sales for February increased 9.2 percent over the comparable prior-year...

Deerfield, Ill.--Walgreens reported February sales of $3.44 billion, an increase of 13.9 percent from $3.02 billion for the same month in 2004.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens reported February sales of $3.44 billion, an increase of 13.9 percent from $3.02 billion for the same month in 2004. Same-store sales rose 9.3 percent in February, while comparable-store front-end sales increased...

St. Louis--express Scripts announced fourth quarter net income of $80.9 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, a 24 percent increase over 86 cents per diluted share reported for the same quarter last year.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Express Scripts announced fourth quarter net income of $80.9 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, a 24 percent increase over 86 cents per diluted share reported for the same quarter last year. Mail pharmacy prescriptions...

Green Bay, Wis.--ShopKo reported consolidated sales for February decreased 3 percent to $212.9 million from $219.5 million during the same period last year.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2005... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo reported consolidated sales for February decreased 3 percent to $212.9 million from $219.5 million during the same period last year. Total-company comparable-store sales decreased 3.4 percent. The company's Pamida...

New York--Revlon has named Elizabeth Crystal senior vice president of customer marketing, overseeing the customer marketing team and creating and building customer strategies.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... NEW YORK -- Revlon has named Elizabeth Crystal senior vice president of customer marketing, overseeing the customer marketing team and creating and building customer strategies. Crystal reports to Paul Murphy, executive vice president of...

Woonsocket, R.I.--CVS has reached a five-year marketing agreement with the Boston Red Sox that will put the company's logo on display at Fenway Park.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS has reached a five-year marketing agreement with the Boston Red Sox that will put the company's logo on display at Fenway Park. The retailer also has arranged for a 400-seat section of the park to be renamed CVS Family...

St. Louis--Medicine Shoppe International recently named Mike Meyer vice president of franchise development.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International recently named Mike Meyer vice president of franchise development. Meyer will oversee all franchise development in the United States for Medicine Shoppe International and Medicap.

Washington--the American Pharmacists Association announced that Purdue Pharma is the recipient of the APhA H.A.B.(Newsbites)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The American Pharmacists Association announced that Purdue Pharma is the recipient of the APhA H.A.B. Dunning Award for 2005. The award recognizes an exemplary contribution to the practice of pharmacy by a pharmaceutical...

London--the European Medicines Agency has announced a number of regulatory actions for the cox-2 inhibitor class of medicines following discussions at the February meeting of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.(Newsbitesg)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... LONDON -- The European Medicines Agency has announced a number of regulatory actions for the cox-2 inhibitor class of medicines following discussions at the February meeting of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. The...

Rite Aid launches new senior loyalty card program.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid has announced the launch of a new free senior loyalty program called Living More that provides benefits and savings to customers who are at least 60 years old. Included in the benefits for seniors who enroll in the...

Safeway turns quarterly profit in post-strike operations.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway reported that fourth-quarter net income reached $202.7 million, or 45 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $695.9 million, or $1.57 a share. The company has labored to revive operations at...

Albertson's brings Osco name to Shaw's Supermarkets.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's announced that it is rebranding the 92 pharmacies inside Shaw's Supermarkets in New England to the Osco name. The company is posting Osco signs on the outside and inside of Shaw's stores, but a company...

Medco acquires Accredo Health in $2.2 billion cash/stock deal.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... NEW YORK -- Medco Health Solutions has agreed to buy Accredo Health, a distributor of specialty drugs and services, for about $2.2 billion in cash and stock. Accredo distributes drugs to treat hemophilia, immunodeficiency disorders,...

Judge reprimands pharmacist for denying contraceptive Rx.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- An administrative law judge ruled Monday that a pharmacist who blocked a customer's attempt to fill a prescription for birth control pills at a Kmart pharmacy should be reprimanded and required to attend ethics classes. ...

Mylan/King buyout terminated on failure of renegotiation.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... PITTSBURGH and BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Mylan Laboratories and King Pharmaceuticals on Monday jointly announced that the companies have mutually agreed to terminate the agreement under which Mylan was to acquire King for $4 billion. The two...

NACDS announces debut of Pharmacy Industry Council.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced the creation of the NACDS Pharmacy Industry Council, a group formed to enhance the value and relevance of the retail pharmacy industry, as well as the experience...

Woonsocket, R.I.--CVS announced that it is making a one-time, noncash, after-tax adjustment of $40.5 million to its results in the fourth quarter of 2004 to reflect the cumulative impact of a change in accounting practices as it relates to leased properties.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS announced that it is making a one-time, noncash, after-tax adjustment of $40.5 million to its results in the fourth quarter of 2004 to reflect the cumulative impact of a change in accounting practices as it relates to...

Chicago--Walgreens has entered into an agreement with SVM to market and distribute the Walgreens Gift Card for promotional and incentive programs nationwide.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... CHICAGO -- Walgreens has entered into an agreement with SVM to market and distribute the Walgreens Gift Card for promotional and incentive programs nationwide. SVM issues, markets, distributes and services cash card programs for more than 70...

Miami--a Florida lawsuit first filed in 2002 alleging that Eckerd store managers were unfairly classified as salaried employees has been opened up as a class action, making approximately 1,000 former Eckerd store managers elligible to opt in to the suit.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... MIAMI -- A Florida lawsuit first filed in 2002 alleging that Eckerd store managers were unfairly classified as salaried employees has been opened up as a class action, making approximately 1,000 former Eckerd store managers elligible to opt...

New York--Pfizer announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Idun Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of therapies to control apoptosis.(Financials)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... NEW YORK -- Pfizer announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Idun Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of therapies to control apoptosis. Financial terms of the deal were not...