Drug Store News articles from May 2006

Drug Store News archives from May 2006

Supervalu, Albertsons shareholders approve $17.4 billion acquisition.
May 31, 2006... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- As expected, shareholders for Albertsons and Supervalu on Tuesday voted in favor of the merger that will make Supervalu the nation's third-largest grocer. For Albertsons, the vote was nearly unanimous, with...

CVS: Sav-on/Osco integration 'in full swing,' remodels to start soon.(acquisitions)(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... NEW YORK -- As expected, CVS' analyst meeting last Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manhattan was optimistic, as CVS executives provided analysts with a business overview, which included an update on the Sav-on/Osco acquisition....

Testimony: Ex-FDA commissioner Crawford delayed Plan B status switch.(powers of Food and Drug Administration )(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... WASHINGTON -- According to testimony delivered last week, two Food and Drug Administration officials who typically were involved in the decision-making process when an application was made to switch a medicine from prescription-only to...

Longs continues remodeling.(Longs Drug annual meeting )(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- At its annual meeting May 23, Longs Drug reported continued progress on its store-remodel program. Longs CEO Warren Bryant told shareholders at the 20-minute meeting that the company remodeled 122 of its 477 stores...

ShopKo names new CEO.(appointments)(chief executive officer)(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo last week named Michael MacDonald chairman and CEO ending Paul White's tenure as interim CEO. MacDonald started his position Tuesday, but White will continue to serve as president and chief merchandising officer....

CMS to kill Medicare card co-branding to avoid confusion.(powers of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Bowing to the concerns of independent and small-chain pharmacy operators, federal policymakers said that beginning in 2007 they will no longer allow co-branding on Medicare drug benefit cards. The practice--under which some...

Gillette's Kilts to step down.(Procter & Gamble)(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble on May 24 announced that James Kilts, vice chairman of Gillette's board, will step down as head of the Gillette unit to devote his attention to the Gillette integration until he retires Oct. 1. Kilts, who...

WAG union joins steelworkers.(contracts)(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... GARY, Ind. -- Cementing what they considered the successful partnership of the two unions in negotiating a new, 38-month contract with Walgreen Co. in March, members of the National Pharmacists Association have voted overwhelmingly to join...

Lifestyle lifts SWY.(Safeway inc)(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway CEO Steve Burd at the company's annual shareholders meeting Thursday said the company expects to convert all U.S. and Canadian stores to its new lifestyle format by the end of fiscal 2009. So far, Safeway...

New York--Duane Reade last week signed InStore Broadcasting Network to provide an in-store video and audio system.(NEWSBITES)
May 31, 2006... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade last week signed InStore Broadcasting Network to provide an in-store video and audio system. The satellite-delivered network uses plasma and LCD screens and proprietary sound technology. Test stores will begin offering...

Chester, N.J.--Adams Respiratory Therapeutics on May 24 acquired the Delsym pediatric cough suppressant brand from UCB.(Adams Respiratory Therapeutics acquired UCB )(Brief article)
May 31, 2006... CHESTER, N.J. -- Adams Respiratory Therapeutics on May 24 acquired the Delsym pediatric cough suppressant brand from UCB. In addition, the two companies have entered into a separate agreement for the licensing of the 12-hour liquid...

Pharmacists herald CMS delay of AMP pricing shift as a 'huge' victory.(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Average Manufacturer Price )
May 24, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Score one for community pharmacy. Some 450 independent pharmacy owners erupted in cheers and applause at the announcement from Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, that the agency...

Supervalu outlines forecast for fiscal 2007 with Albertsons results.(Albertsons supermarket)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu is gearing up for the anticipated June closing of the Albertsons' supermarket and combo-store acquisition, and on Monday outlined its forecast for the combined business for fiscal 2007. Shareholders of both...

Pharmacists, lawmakers rally for passage of Medicare fast-payment bill.(prescription drug plans)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... WASHINGTON -- With scores of independent pharmacists serving as an enthusiastic backdrop, a bipartisan group of members of Congress staged a high-profile outdoor event here Tuesday to build support for a bill that would force prescription...

Target's annual meeting wraps up without any surprises.(shareholder meeting)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... ACWORTH, Ga. -- Target's move of its shareholder meeting to an under-construction supercenter just outside of Atlanta from its Minneapolis home proved to be much ado about nothing. The store, slated to open in July, represents Target's...

Kroger names pharmacy exec.(Kroger's central division)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. on Thursday announced that Lisa Holsclaw, president of Kroger's central division, has moved to Kroger's corporate office as VP of drug, pharmacy and general merchandising. Robert Moeder succeeds her as...

ShopKo to open Wis. clinics.(health care delivery system)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo and integrated health care delivery system Bellin Health last week announced a joint effort to open retail clinics in two Green Bay area ShopKo stores, with possible expansion to ShopKo's national storebase. The...

Kinney to give free cards.(prescription drug cards )
May 24, 2006... GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- ProAct, the wholly-owned pharmacy benefit management arm of New York-based Kinney Drugs, will be distributing in June discount prescription drug cards to residents of Lewis County, which has a population of more than...

Sears revamps pharmacy.(Sears Grand locations)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Sears Holdings held 12 "Grand" openings Saturday. Each of the latest locations, former Kmart stores, retained its pharmacy, Kmart name and all. According to Sears spokeswoman, Corinne Gudovik, the pharmacy in...

Longs elects board.(pharmacy sales)(Financial report)(Brief article)
May 24, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs yesterday announced that Murray Dashe, the former chairman, CEO and president of Cost Plus, has succeeded Donald Sorby as lead director. In addition, the stockholders elected four directors, including Warren...

Bentonville, Ark.--Wal-Mart on Monday agreed to sell its South Korean retail business to Shinsegae for $882 million.(NEWSBITES)
May 24, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart on Monday agreed to sell its South Korean retail business to Shinsegae for $882 million. Shinsegae, a Korean retailer with 79 E-Mart hypermarkets, will rename Wal-Mart's 16 stores under the E-Mart banner.

Parsippany, N.J.--Novartis OTC named Vic Mazzacone senior VP of North American corporate relations.(NEWSBITES)
May 24, 2006... PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Novartis OTC named Vic Mazzacone senior VP of North American corporate relations. He will drive the company's convenience care strategy which focuses on partnering with in-store clinics. He will remain senior VP of North...

New York--a Dutch court on Monday found Ahold's former CEO.(NEWSBITES)
May 24, 2006... NEW YORK -- A Dutch court on Monday found Ahold's former CEO and former CFO guilty of fraud charges relating to the company's 2003 financial scandal.

Bentonville, Ark--Wal-Mart Stores will open six supercenters in Ohio today near Cincinnati, Springfield, Bowling Green and Upper Sandusky.(open six supercenters)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores will open six supercenters in Ohio today near Cincinnati, Springfield, Bowling Green and Upper Sandusky. Three of the stores are new facilities and three are expanded or relocated stores. The three new...

Hershey, Pa.--The Hershey Co. last week established the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition.(NEWSBITES)
May 17, 2006... Hershey, Pa. -- The Hershey Co. last week established the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition. The center will direct scientific research to develop products and technologies providing consumers with benefits in the areas of heart health,...

Hoffman Estates, Ill.--Sears Holdings will open at least 12 Sears Grand stores Saturday in Utah, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.(NEWSBITES)
May 17, 2006... Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings will open at least 12 Sears Grand stores Saturday in Utah, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Grand format features an interactive play area, game tables, video game stations and an Internet...

Santa Clara, Calif.--Brooks-Eckerd will add YesVideo's DVD transfer services to all its Express Photo locations.(NEWSBITES)
May 17, 2006... Santa Clara, Calif. -- Brooks-Eckerd will add YesVideo's DVD transfer services to all its Express Photo locations. The services convert VHS tape, camcorder cassettes, movie film, 35mm slides and photographs direct to DVD discs suitable for...

Millions of seniors miss Medicare Part D deadline.(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... WASHINGTON -- the first deadline to enroll in Medicare Part D passed Monday despite Democratic and Republican efforts to extend it. Several million seniors are now left without coverage and will have to wait until Nov. 15 to enroll. ...

CVS' Ryan optimistic at annual shareholders meeting.(Annual Shareholders Meeting)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- As expected, CVS' Annual Shareholders Meeting held here Thursday was an upbeat affair as 2006 gets "off to a great start." During the hour-long meeting at CVS' headquarters, Tom Ryan, chairman, president and CEO,...

ShopKo to open Medical Marts in-store retail clinics.(pharmacy service)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... LAS VEGAS -- ShopKo and Medical Marts on Friday announced a strategic alliance to open retail clinics within ShopKo stores. The first Medical Marts will open late this summer within ShopKo stores in Utah, and expand nationally from that...

High fuel prices, weak flu season plague retail pharmacy during first quarter.(finanical report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... New York -- Beset by rising fuel prices and a weak flu season, some retailers posted less-than-impressive first quarter results during the last week. Duane Reade on Thursday posted a net loss of $9.9 million on first-quarter net sales of...

CCRx to offer med reviews.(free medication review program )(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... Cleveland -- MemberHealth on Thursday announced it will launch the "Welcome To CCRx Medication Review Program" for Community Care Rx, its national Medicare Part D plan. The free medication review program was developed to help new members...

HDMA joins FDA alert network.(Healthcare Distribution Management Association)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... Arlington, Va. -- The Healthcare Distribution Management Association has joined the FDA's Counterfeit Alert Network to fight the threat of counterfeit drugs entering the U.S. medicine supply. The network's goal is to inform consumers,...

WMT eyes DC for imports.(Wal-Mart)(American Port Services)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart on Monday signed a contract to open a new import distribution center in Elwood, Ill. The warehouse contract, signed with American Port Services, is for a 3.4 million-square-foot warehouse. Operations at the...

B&L recalls MoistureLoc.(ReNu with MoistureLoc product)(Brief article)
May 17, 2006... Rochester, N.Y.--Bausch & Lomb initiated a worldwide recall of its ReNu with MoistureLoc product earlier this week after studies found that an increased risk of a fungal infection, Fusarium keratitis, was associated with the formulation of...

Kansas City, Mo.--a federal prosecutor on Thursday dropped all charges against H.D.(FINANCIALS)
May 17, 2006... Kansas City, Mo. -- A federal prosecutor on Thursday dropped all charges against H.D. Smith Wholesale Drug Co. in a plea agreement under which the drug distributor modified its purchasing policies, overhauled its security procedures and paid...

Wilmington, Del.--AstraZeneca has agreed to purchase Cambridge Antibody Technologies for $1.3 billion.(FINANCIALS)
May 17, 2006... Wilmington, Del. -- AstraZeneca has agreed to purchase Cambridge Antibody Technologies for $1.3 billion. AstraZeneca already owns 20 percent of CAT, so it will spend about $567 million for the remainder. AstraZeneca plans to make CAT the...

Whitehouse Station, N.J.--Merck is set to buy GlycoFi and Abmaxis, two biotech companies, for $480 million.(FINANCIALS)
May 17, 2006... Whitehouse Station, N.J. -- Merck is set to buy GlycoFi and Abmaxis, two biotech companies, for $480 million. Both deals are expected to close in the second quarter of this year.

Supervalu taps Tripp to lead pharmacy operations, retools exec structure.(Albertson's Inc.)(SUPERVALU Inc.)(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu on Monday announced that Kevin Tripp, president of Albertsons' drug store division, will spearhead its company-wide pharmacy operations once the Albertsons acquisition is complete. The deal is expected to be...

Cleveland--ECRM and Ahold are set to host the Ahold Supplier Diversity Trade Fair for women- and minority-owned businesses in consumer packaged goods.(NEWSBITES)
May 10, 2006... CLEVELAND -- ECRM and Ahold are set to host the Ahold Supplier Diversity Trade Fair for women- and minority-owned businesses in consumer packaged goods. The event, designed to bring together a diverse group of buyers and sellers, will be held...

New York--Quick Quality Care on Monday opened its third retail clinic inside a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Florida.(NEWSBITES)
May 10, 2006... NEW YORK -- Quick Quality Care on Monday opened its third retail clinic inside a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Florida. The company also signed an exclusive with Bioject Medical Technologies for its needle-free drug delivery system.

Bentonville, Ark.--to reach out to Hispanic customers, Wal-Mart has set a fixed rate for MoneyGram wire transfers to Latin America and has started a rewards program.(NEWSBITES)
May 10, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- To reach out to Hispanic customers, Wal-Mart has set a fixed rate for MoneyGram wire transfers to Latin America and has started a rewards program. The new rate is 35 percent lower than the average wire transfer fee which,...

Govt. scrambles to enroll seniors in Medicare Part D.(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. -- Scrambling to pull as many seniors as possible into the Medicare Part D drug benefit program, Pres. Bush and White House officials are traveling the country and co-sponsoring signup events this week to promote the...

Pharmacist warns of closures from Medicare crunch.(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Many independent pharmacy owners could lose their businesses if Congress fails to make much-needed changes to Medicare Part D, a Pennsylvania pharmacist warned federal lawmakers last week. Pharmacist Pamela Grisnik on May 3...

CVS 'off to a great start' after posting record 1Q earnings.(CVS Corp.)(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- It appears CVS' annual shareholders meeting tomorrow will be somewhat of a lovefest given chairman, president and CEO Tom Ryan's assessment that 2006 is "clearly off to a great start." The drug chain last week posted...

ReNu investigation continues.(Bausch & Lomb Inc.)(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... ATLANTA -- The CDC and the FDA will continue their respective investigations into the apparent link between Bausch & Lomb's ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens cleanser and an outbreak of fusarium keratitis, a fungus that can cause severe eye...

RediClinic eyes 500 by 2009.(RediClinic)(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... HOUSTON -- InterFit Health's RediClinic plans to open 500 new locations by 2009. The expansion will occur partially through its existing partnerships with Wal-Mart, H-E-B and Duane Reade, as well as through a new partnership with Walgreens...

APhA applauds new Rx bill.
May 10, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The American Pharmacists Association last week praised Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., for introducing the Pharmacy Access Improvement Act. The law would help Medicare beneficiaries retain access to their pharmacist of choice. ...

ShopRite plans clinics by Aug.(AtlantiCare Health Plans)(ShopRite of Malverne Inc.)(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... NEW YORK -- Regional health care organization AtlantiCare plans to start opening in-store retail clinics in New Jersey by August. AtlantiCare has teamed up with ShopRite to open what it is calling HealthRite health centers in southeastern...

NACDS honors industry veterans.(Barb Hartman recieves awards)(Brief article)
May 10, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- NACDS last week awarded Barb Hartman, VP of Procter & Gamble's customer business development for national customers in North America, the Robert B. Begley Award and Morry Weiss, chairman of American Greetings, the Sheldon...

Cincinnati--the Kroger Co. on May 3 reached a tentative agreement to sell 12 Cala Foods and Bell Markets stores in the San Francisco Bay Area to DeLano Retail Partners.(FINANCIALS)
May 10, 2006... CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. on May 3 reached a tentative agreement to sell 12 Cala Foods and Bell Markets stores in the San Francisco Bay Area to DeLano Retail Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed. The stores are part of the...

Indianapolis--Marsh Supermarkets last week agreed to be acquired by MSH Supermarkets Holding, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, for about $88 million.(FINANCIALS)
May 10, 2006... INDIANAPOLIS -- Marsh Supermarkets last week agreed to be acquired by MSH Supermarkets Holding, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, for about $88 million. If the chain's shareholders approve the deal, it is expected to close in the third...

Dublin, Ohio--Cardinal Health on Monday announced plans to buy the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution business from The F. Dohmen Co.(Cardinal Health plans to buy F. Dohmen Co)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Cardinal Health on Monday announced plans to buy the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution business from The F. Dohmen Co. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. With revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, F. Dohmen...

Walnut Creek, Calif.--Longs Drug Stores on April 26 named Karen Stout EVP and COO, effective May 15.(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores on April 26 named Karen Stout EVP and COO, effective May 15. Stout previously was EVP of merchandising for BJ's Wholesale Club. BJ's promoted Paul Bass to fill Stout's void. Bass previously was senior...

St. Louis -- Medicine Shoppe International, a Cardinal Health company, on April 26 appointed Scott Glover senior VP of sales and marketing for MSI.(NEWSBITES)
May 3, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International, a Cardinal Health company, on April 26 appointed Scott Glover senior VP of sales and marketing for MSI. Previously, Glover was VP of global marketing for Sigma-Aldrich and director of sales within...

Houston--TNR Entertainment on Monday stated it will install automated DVD rental kiosks in 30 A&P and SuperFresh stores this month in Maryland.(NEWSBITES)
May 3, 2006... HOUSTON -- TNR Entertainment on Monday stated it will install automated DVD rental kiosks in 30 A&P and SuperFresh stores this month in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

From the NACDS annual meeting: Civello urges pharmacy leaders to speak with one voice.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- As anticipated, much of the buzz at this year's meeting that ends today revolves around the association's change in leadership. Tony Civello, NACDS chairman and chairman, president and CEO of Kerr Drug, told attendees...

'Focus on Health' pavilion mimics in-store screenings.(Services of National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(meetings of Pharmaceutical industry)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- For the first time, attendees at the annual meeting were able step into a huge, tentlike pavilion and get screened--at no cost--for a variety of conditions. Inside the NACDS "Focus on Health" Pavilion, nurses, nurse...

'Neutron Jack,' Ryan light up business session.(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Tom Ryan, president, chairman and CEO of CVS, played Twenty Questions with former General Electric chief Jack Welch, covering topics ranging from how retail pharmacy should engage the U.S. government on issues that...

NACDS, foundation add retail pharmacy execs to boards.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Hannan Bob, Griffin Mark and Olbrecht Karl newly announced additions on Board of the company)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- NACDS on Monday elected additional members to its board and executive committee for 2006. NACDS chain members elected nine board members to three-year terms--Brian Cornell, EVP and chief marketing officer of Safeway;...

MinuteClinic establishes clinical quality advisory council.(MinuteClinic formed a National Clinical Quality Advisory Council)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- MinuteClinic on Tuesday formed a National Clinical Quality Advisory Council, a panel designed to bring together nationally recognized health care leaders from a variety of specialties and backgrounds to contribute strategic...

Albertson's deal moves ahead.
May 3, 2006... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's on Monday reported that the registration statement relating to the proposed acquisition of the company by a consortium of investors has been OK'd by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Albertson's has...

WMT shuffles merch execs.(Reorganization and restructuring of Wal-Mart Stores Inc)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The reshuffling of senior executives at Wal-Mart continued last week with the merchandising group experiencing high-level personnel changes. Paul Beahm was named senior VP and GMM of the newly created hard home...

New magazine targets NPs, PAs.(nurse practitioners )(physician assistants )(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Drug Store News debuted the premier issue of Retail Clinician, the first magazine dedicated exclusively to nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing in a retail setting, at the NACDS Annual Meeting this week....

Food, grocery assoc. to merge.(Food Products Association merges with Grocery Manufacturers Association)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The board of directors of the Food Products Association and the executive committee of the Grocery Manufacturers Association on Friday agreed in principle to merge the two organizations, effective Jan. 1, 2007. The merger...