Drug Store News articles from November 2006

Drug Store News archives from November 2006

Wal-Mart finally rolls out $4 generic drug pricing program nationwide.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Capping a highly successful drive to boost its pharmacy business with an aggressive pricing campaign, Wal-Mart on Tuesday extended its $4 generic prescription program to a final 11 states, making the program available in...

Grocers combat $4 prices.(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle last week launched Giant Eagle Pharmacy Rewards, its version of the $4 generic program, in its 93 Pennsylvania pharmacies in response to Wal-Mart's $4 prices. Giant Eagle's program, tied to the chain's loyalty...

BJ's CEO resigns; raises LBO questions.(Mike Wedge quits BJ's Wholesale Club Inc.)(leveraged buyout)(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... NATICK, Mass. -- The abrupt resignation of BJ's president and CEO Mike Wedge last week has raised questions whether it signals a step toward a leveraged buyout of the club operator. BJ's chairman and interim CEO Herb Zarkin said the...

Save Mart to buy 132 Albertsons stores.
November 29, 2006... MODESTO, Calif. -- Save Mart Supermarkets has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the northern California division of Albertsons LLC. Albertsons LLC was formed by the Albertsons stores purchased by the Cerberus-led investment group. ...

Dept. of defense to add OTC drugs to TRICARE formulary.
November 29, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Beginning May 2007, the Department of Defense will begin substitution of select nonprescription medicines that have been evaluated as both cost-effective and therapeutically equivalent to prescription drugs on the TRICARE...

MinuteClinic gets high marks.(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- MinuteClinic, which is a subsidiary of CVS, was one of two Minnesota health care providers to receive a 100 percent rating for pediatric sore throat treatment in a state health care quality report. The data was collected...

Care Rx eyes wound care set.(Care Pharmaceutical Services Inc.)(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Care Pharmacies earlier this month announced it will highlight wound care, as part of an end-cap program called Healing Place that was pieced together by Cardinal Health, in approximately 30 of the company's 60 locations,...

Take Care, WAG open clinics.(Take Care Health Systems )(Walgreens )(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... CHICAGO -- Take Care Health Systems opened four Health Corner Clinics in Chicagoarea Walgreens over the weekend. The new locations are in Libertyville, Montgomery, Mount Prospect and Naperville, and are in addition to four retail clinics...

Hy-Vee tests biometric option.(Hy-Vee Supermarkets)(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... QUINCY, Ill. -- Hy-Vee is testing Pay By Touch in one of its stores here and, if the pilot goes well, will expand it to four stores in early 2007 and more still if the larger pilot is a success. "This is for convenience for the shopper,...

San Francisco.(NEWSBITES)(distribution pact)(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... SAN FRANCISCO -- McKesson on Friday said it renewed its comprehensive supply agreement with Wal-Mart. The agreement keeps McKesson as the primary supplier of branded pharmaceutical products for Wal-Mart stores across the United States. In...

Camp Hill, Pa.(NEWSBITES)(Rite Aid Corp. to withdrew its stock from listing )(Brief article)
November 29, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid on Monday announced plans to withdraw the listing of its common stock from the former Pacific Stock Exchange, now NYSE Arca since the NYSE Group merged with Archipelago Holdings, the parent company of NYSE Arca....

Minneapolis.(NEWSBITES)
November 29, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- GlaxoSmithKline is one step closer to acquiring CNS, the manufacturer of Breathe Right, following the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust waiting period last week. CNS stockholders still need to approve the deal,...

Dublin, Ohio.(NEWSBITES)
November 29, 2006... DUBLIN, Ohio -- Cardinal Health has announced plans to acquire privately held MedMined, a provider of technology and services that identify and prevent hospital-acquired infections. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Target rolls $4 generics nationwide as Wal-Mart adds 11 more states.(Target Corp.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Adopting a preemptive strategy in the face of Wal-Mart's continuing drive to expand its low-price generic prescription program, Target Corp. revealed Monday it would begin offering its own $4 generic program immediately in all...

W-D turns page on Chapter 11.(Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Nearly two years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Winn-Dixie Stores on Tuesday said it has emerged from bankruptcy. The company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in February 2005. ...

Supervalu to revamp pharmacies during $1B remodeling.(SUPERVALU Inc.)(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu last week unveiled a store concept it dubbed "Premium Fresh & Healthy" that will be a major part of its $1 billion new store and remodeling program in 2007. The remodels will be tailored to the demographics of local...

CVS adds online Medicare Plan Comparison Tool for seniors.(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- As part of its ongoing effort to educate seniors about their Medicare Part D options, CVS has launched an online Medicare Plan Comparison Tool. During the six-week open-enrollment period that ends Dec. 31, the online...

Medicare plans drive growth in Longs third-quarter sales.(Longs Drug Stores California Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs reported another strong increase in sales for its third quarter with net income rising 42 percent to $12.7 million due in large part to its subsidiary, RxAmerica. "Our 42 percent increase in net income was...

Unions challenge RAD deal.
November 22, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- As Rite Aid prepares to close on its proposed acquisition of Brooks/Eckerd, two unions are calling for a review of the deal. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union and UNITE HERE announced Wednesday a petition...

MinuteClinics open in N.J.(New Jersey)(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... WAYNE, N.J. -- Minute Clinic has opened clinics in nine CVS locations in northern New Jersey, the retail clinic operator said Thursday. The clinics are in Bergen, Morris, Middlesex, Monmouth and Passaic counties. An additional...

Margins slip for OTC suppliers.(over the counter)(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... LITTLE FALLS, N.J. -- Ten of the leading OTC drug suppliers have experienced an average margin slip of up to 4 percent since 2001, according to a recent Kline & Co. report. A main reason for this decline is an industry-wide jump in ad...

Ryan tabs $2.5M for alma mater.(Brief article)
November 22, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS chairman, president and CEO Tom Ryan is leading the University of Rhode Island's new capital campaign with a $2.5 million contribution, according to a local news report. The Providence Business News reported that...

New York.(NEWSBITES)
November 22, 2006... NEW YORK -- Dual-label Plan B emergency contraceptive is now in pharmacies, according to Duramed Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals. Duramed will launch the Convenient Access Responsible Education program to help patients,...

Phoenix.(NEWSBITES)
November 22, 2006... PHOENIX -- The American Pharmacists Association on Thursday launched its Traveler's Guide to the Common Cold, a consumer-focused educational brochure for the prevention and treatment of the common cold for travelers. Among other things, the...

St. Louis.(NEWSBITES)
November 22, 2006... ST.LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International has appointed Bill Bailey director of specialized care centers. Bailey will develop the vision, protocol and programs for MSI's specialized care centers--turnkey programs designed to help franchisees...

Bethesda, Md.(NEWSBITES)
November 22, 2006... BETHESDA, Md -- FLAVORx' EVP of sales and international operations, Ashton Maaraba, on Tuesday joined the National Association of Chain Drug Stores-sponsored Products-to-Market committee. The committee helps small and mid-size businesses...

Part D window opens.(medicare agent educated about Medicare Part D drug benefit program)(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... NEW YORK -- Federal officials and pharmacies nationwide are scrambling to educate Medicare recipients about the Medicare Part D drug benefit program as a new enrollment period begins. Beginning today, seniors can sign up for Part D...

Arcadia buys Pinnacle.(Care Clinic acquired Pinnacle Easy Care)(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Care Clinic, a division of Arcadia Resources, on Monday announced it has purchased Pinnacle Easy Care. Financial terms were not disclosed. Pinnacle Easy Care has an agreement with Walgreens to open, operate and staff...

Von Eschenbach challenges industry to step up RFID.(radio frequency identification device )
November 15, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Andrew von Eschenbach, acting commissioner of the FDA, on Monday stressed the "critical importance" of the drug industry implementing RFID technology to protect the integrity of the American drug supply. Speaking to about...

Wal-Mart to use $4 drugs to drive in-store holiday traffic.(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart executives during the company's third-quarter conference call on Tuesday said $4 generics have reinforced Wal-Mart's low-price image and will help drive store traffic during the holidays. "This program...

Perrigo's acetaminophen recall to cost maker $2.9 million.(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... BETHESDA, Md. -- Last week's voluntary recall of 11 million bottles of acetaminophen 500 mg caplets by Perrigo is expected to cost the private-label manufacturer some $2.9 million, including a $667,000 after-tax charge to its previously...

PLMA: Store brands have unprecedented consumer favor.(survey for consumers)(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... CHICAGO -- This year's PLMA show kicked off on a high note as president Brian Sharoff unveiled the results of its 2006 consumer research study that offers evidence that private label has gained "unprecedented favor" among U.S. shoppers. ...

ABS LLC Rx group VP dies.(Albertson's LLC)(death of Mark Shadle)(Obituary)(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... NEW YORK -- Albertson's LLC, the supermarket chain controlled by the Cerberus-led investor group, announced Monday that Mark Shadle, group VP of pharmacy operations, died on Oct. 28 from unknown causes. Shadle, 57, had more than 20 years...

SureScripts sets e-standards.(health care industry management)(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- In a bid to spur the sluggish progress that doctors have made in adapting to electronic communications and recordkeeping with pharmacies and other health care entities, SureScripts has developed a certification system to...

Familymeds, Toyota ink deal.(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- Familymeds Group, a specialty pharmacy and medical specialty product provider, has signed a deal with Toyota to operate a Worksite Pharmacy at the manufacturer's new truck plant in San Antonio. The on-site pharmacy...

Duane Reade posts 3Q loss.(Brief article)
November 15, 2006... NEW YORK -- While posting a third-quarter net loss related primarily to income taxes, Duane Reade reiterated its commitment to offering customers health and wellness services by announcing the development of a new Diabetes Wellness Center....

Jacksonville, Fla.--Winn-Dixie Stores on Thursday said a district bankruptcy court has confirmed the grocer's plan of reorganization.(NEWSBITES)
November 15, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores on Thursday said a district bankruptcy court has confirmed the grocer's plan of reorganization. Winn-Dixie now expects to emerge from Chapter 11 within 30 days.

San Francisco--McKesson last week said it would buy Per-Se Technologies in a deal valued at $1.8 billion.(NEWSBITES)
November 15, 2006... SAN FRANCISCO -- McKesson last week said it would buy Per-Se Technologies in a deal valued at $1.8 billion. Per-Se is a provider of financial and administrative health care solutions for hospitals, physicians and retail pharmacies.

St. Paul, Minn.--3M on Thursday said it will sell its global branded pharmaceuticals business for approximately $2.1 billion.(NEWSBITES)
November 15, 2006... ST. PAUL, Minn. -- 3M on Thursday said it will sell its global branded pharmaceuticals business for approximately $2.1 billion. The business will be divided among four buyers.

Abbott Park, Ill.--Abbott last week said it will buy Kos Pharmaceuticals for $3.7 billion.(NEWSBITES)
November 15, 2006... ABBOTT PARK, Ill. -- Abbott last week said it will buy Kos Pharmaceuticals for $3.7 billion. Kos develops and markets proprietary medications to treat chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases.

Melrose Park, Ill.--Alberto-Culver stockholders on Friday approved the spinoff of the Sally Beauty business into a separate publicly traded company.(NEWSBITES)
November 15, 2006... MELROSE PARK, Ill. -- Alberto-Culver stockholders on Friday approved the spinoff of the Sally Beauty business into a separate publicly traded company. Alberto-Culver expects to complete the deal on Thursday.

Arlington, Va.--The National Advertising Review Council on Tuesday established a Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative.(NEWSBITES)
November 15, 2006... ARLINGTON, Va. -- The National Advertising Review Council on Tuesday established a Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, a voluntary program that is designed to shift advertising to children to encourage healthier dietary...

CVS, Caremark ink 'game-changing' merger, create new No. 1 PBM.
November 8, 2006... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. last week took the industry by storm when it announced it has entered a merger agreement with pharmacy benefit management company Caremark Rx in a $21 billion stock deal that is bound to be a "game-changer" for...

Walgreens expands Take Care partnership, opens four Chicago retail clinics.(plan to open health care clinics)(Brief article)
November 8, 2006... CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. -- In what can only be the beginning of a series of new markets for Take Care Health, the retail clinic operator expanded its partnership with Walgreens into the drug chain's hometown of Chicago with a planned 18 clinics,...

Barr begins shipping dual-label Plan B to select pharmacies.(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
November 8, 2006... WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- Barr Pharmaceuticals on Monday announced it has begun shipping the dual-label Plan B emergency contraceptive OTC/Rx product. The product will be available in pharmacies by mid-November. Barr also announced that the...

AstraZeneca expands PAP.(free drug program)(Brief article)
November 8, 2006... WILMINGTON, Del. -- AstraZeneca has expanded its free drug program to include more people who do not have prescription drug coverage. The drug maker has raised the income ceiling on its Patient Assistance Program to $60,000 for a family of...

Revlon posts wider 3Q loss.(financial report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
November 8, 2006... NEW YORK -- Revlon on Tuesday posted a wider third quarter loss as restructuring costs and the cost to discontinue the struggling Vital Radiance brand, geared toward women 50 and older, hampered results. Net loss for the quarter was...

GNC explores sale.
November 8, 2006... PITTSBURGH -- Three months following the company's second withdrawal of an initial public offering, GNC Corp. on Friday announced it has decided to explore strategic alternatives, including an IPO or selling the company outright. For the nine...

Medco pays government $155M, settles false claims and kickback allegations.( violating the Anti-Kickback Act)(Brief article)
November 8, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Resolving at least the legal aspect of one long-running dispute over the sometimes-murky relationships among pharmacy benefit managers, drug makers and health plans, Medco Health Solutions has agreed to pay the United States...

Supermarkets ante up as Wal-Mart raises the stakes with $4 generics.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
November 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- On the heels of Wal-Mart expanding its $4 generic drug program yet again, grocers are becoming more aggressive in launching competing alternatives for consumers. Wal-Mart's most recent announcement on Thursday, making the...

MinuteClinic passes 100-unit mark.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- MinuteClinic last month surpassed the 100-clinic milestone. The company, a subsidiary of CVS Corp., now has 104 retail clinics in 15 states. "We're well on our way to establishing a national footprint for the brand," said...

Winn-Dixie signs retail clinic partner.(Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. partners with WELLSPOT Medical Clinics )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores on Monday announced it has partnered with Birmingham, Ala.-based WELLSPOT Medical Clinics to open retail clinics in three Jacksonville-area Winn-Dixie stores in mid-November. Current plans call for...

Duane Reade, LabCorp inks exclusive deal to open 20 in-store testing labs.(Duane Reade Holding Corp.)(Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- Through an exclusive agreement with medical testing laboratory LabCorp, Duane Reade plans to open 20 medical testing labs over the next few months in select locations. The patient service centers will be operated by LabCorp...

Retailer tests sex aids.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade confirmed that a few weeks ago it began stocking its shelves with an assortment of erotic sex aids and passion oils. Duane Reade executives declined to further discuss the new offering, which is situated near the...

ShopKo to part ways with Pamida, revamps merchandising.(ShopKo Stores Inc.)
November 1, 2006... OMAHA, Neb. -- Drug Store News has learned that parent company Sun Capital Partners plans to separate Pamida from sister (and former parent company) ShopKo Stores "as fast as they can get it done," according to ShopKo president and chief...

PharmaCare, SureScripts partner on e-health records.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... LINCOLN, R.I. -- PharmaCare announced on Oct. 25 an agreement with SureScripts that will allow physicians using SureScripts-certified technology to access information regarding a patient's drug formulary and eligibility in real time. ...

Navarro opens retail clinics.(Navarro Discount Pharmacies partners with Express Clinics)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... MIAMI, Fla. -- Navarro Discount Pharmacies on Tuesday announced it has partnered with Express Clinics to open retail clinics. Express Clinics currently has two clinics in Navarro stores--one each in Miami and Hialeah. The company stated it...

Houston--My Healthy Access, Intrepid Holdings' clinic operating company, opened its second clinic on Thursday in the Wal-Mart super-center in Katy, Texas.(NEWSBITES)
November 1, 2006... HOUSTON -- My Healthy Access, Intrepid Holdings' clinic operating company, opened its second clinic on Thursday in the Wal-Mart super-center in Katy, Texas. Several more clinics are planned to open this fall in Wal-Mart stores in the Houston...

Dallas--CVS last month sold a former Eckerd distribution center in Garland, Texas, for $5.1 million to CraftMaster Manufacturing, according to Binswanger, the drug chain's real estate agent for the sale.(NEWSBITES)
November 1, 2006... DALLAS -- CVS last month sold a former Eckerd distribution center in Garland, Texas, for $5.1 million to CraftMaster Manufacturing, according to Binswanger, the drug chain's real estate agent for the sale. CVS obtained the property when it...

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics.(NEWSBITES)
November 1, 2006... CHESTER, N.J. -- Adams Respiratory Therapeutics on Thursday promoted Robert Casale to the newly created position of COO from EVP, chief marketing and development officer, and David Becker to CFO, CAO and treasurer from EVP, CFO and treasurer.