Drug Store News articles from November 2008

Drug Store News archives from November 2008

CVS unveils high-end Beauty 360 store.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- If anyone thinks that CVS has recast itself solely as a healthcare company, given its string of acquisitions in recent years, including Caremark and MinuteClinic, they certainly haven't seen Beauty 360. The chain's hot new...

Squeezed by economy, Americans cut health care: this is part three of a three-part series of reports on the impact the economy is having on retail pharmacy.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Survey)
November 17, 2008... MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Times are tough, and, in a most disturbing sign for retail pharmacy executives, people are taking it out on their health. Pinched by the failing economy, 47 percent of Americans said they are taking some measure to...

The Forbes factor: 45 years of service.(Lebhar-Friedman)(Occupation overview)
November 17, 2008... After a 45-year career with Lebhar-Friedman, the parent company of Drug Store News, Jay Forbes is retiring. His Dec. 19, 2008, departure will cap one of the most distinguished careers in our industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Forbes'...

Walgreens overhaul seeks 'more from the core'.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
November 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- For Walgreens, fundamental change is at hand. In their first full meeting with Wall Street analysts in nearly a decade, Walgreens' top executives laid out a broad series of big steps Oct. 30 to transform and rejuvenate the...

Merchandising team shuffle reflects urgency to boost front end.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
November 17, 2008... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Moving to reignite a sluggish front-end business hit hard by the collapse in economic growth and consumer demand, Walgreens has shaken up its merchandising team with new promotions and a shift in duties among department...

Longs deal done, CVS is king of California.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Longs Drug Stores Corp.)(CVS Caremark Corp.)
November 17, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- It's official. CVS Caremark finally closed last month its acquisition of Longs Drug Stores and, in true CVS fashion, the company plans to hit the ground running as it folds into its portfolio Longs' 521 retail locations in...

Ryan: discount generics a response to economy, not competition.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
November 17, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Looking to help uninsured patients struggling in today's economic downturn, CVS Caremark has entered the discount generic drug program arena. "We haven't seen a material share loss to our competitor's $4 generic program...

New diabetes program leverages pharmacists.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... CVS Caremark is marking American Diabetes Month by launching a program to educate patients about managing and preventing diabetes. Collaborating with the American Diabetes Association, CVS has created a free booklet titled "Diabetes:...

Drugs & More airport-retail concept takes off.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
November 17, 2008... ATLANTA -- It appears the airport-based retail health concept is really taking flight. Paradies Shops last month opened its second Drugs & More airport-retail concept in the Raleigh-Durham area airport and has designs on opening a third Drugs &...

Rite Aid plans reverse stock split to avoid NYSE delisting.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(New York Stock Exchange)
November 17, 2008... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid will meet with stockholders Dec. 2 in New York to vote on approval of its proposed reverse stock split announced last month, the company informed shareholders in a Nov. 1 letter. Rite Aid is not alone in recently...

Bruno's to close half its in-store pharmacies.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Bruno's Supermarkets Inc.)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A month after it announced that it would adopt a new look for its stores, Bruno's Supermarkets said that it would shut down more than half of its in-store pharmacies. The Birmingham, Ala.-based chain announced Oct. 10...

Caterpillar pharmacy deal doesn't make Wal-Mart a PBM.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Pharmacy Benefit Manager)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
November 17, 2008... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- When Wal-Mart held its 15th annual analyst and investor conference late last month, pharmacy and health care didn't rate a mention despite the fact that Wal-Mart is one of the nation's largest pharmacy chains and has...

Take Care ads: health care for different lifestyles.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Take Care Health Systems)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... C0NSHOHOCKEN, Pa. -- Take Care Health Systems, which currently operates 262 retail-based health clinics, has launched its first significant multimedia brand and advertising program since its acquisition by Walgreens in May 2007. ...

Costco, Snyders join discount-generics program push.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
November 17, 2008... HARTFORD, Conn. -- Bulk chain store Costco has announced a partnership with health insurer Aetna to improve consumers' access to affordable medications. The Issaquah, Wash.-based chain and Aetna will offer a Medicare prescription drug...

Shoppers Drug Mart unveils Murale beauty care/pharmacy concept.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart has officially unveiled its new retail beauty concept store, dubbed Murale, with a launch event held Nov. 6. The new beauty concept store is located in Ottawa, Ontario, in Place...

Winn-Dixie, Mayo Clinic partner on Web initiative.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie's Web site, www.winndixie.com, will offer health-and-wellness information and recipes for healthful cooking using information provided by the Mayo Clinic's Web site. "Helping people live healthier lives is...

Understanding what your mentor really meant.(OPINION)(Column)
November 17, 2008... A couple of years ago I started to write this column. I think I am just starting to grasp what it was I thought I knew so well that day. And that was really the point. I wrote then about the important role that our mentors play in our...

Leavitt calls Medicaid costs 'unsustainable'.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- As if pharmacy retailers didn't have enough to worry about in the midst of a bleak economic outlook the Bush administration issued a grim warning last month about the increasingly costly Medicaid program. Spending for...

Online Rx bill's enactment caps pharmacy lobby trifecta.(CHAIN PHARMACY)(Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act)
November 17, 2008... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Capping what chain pharmacy leaders are calling a trifecta of victories in Congress on priority legislation for the industry, Pres. Bush has signed into law a bill to crack down on rogue online pharmacies. The bill,...

NCPA honors APhA chief John Gans with first Calvin Anthony award.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
November 17, 2008... TAMPA, Fla. -- John Gans, longtime leader of the American Pharmacists Association, was named the first recipient of the Calvin J. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Community Pharmacists Association Oct. 13. The new award...

Congress tries to ease DME accreditation rules.(CHAIN PHARMACY)(The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act )
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rolling ahead with new and potentially burdensome requirements for retailers selling durable medical equipment, two of community pharmacy's champions on Capitol Hill have stepped...

Drake seeking partners for NACDS-supported internships.(CHAIN PHARMACY)
November 17, 2008... DES MOINES, Iowa -- Drake University is seeking assistance from pharmacy preceptors and student mentors. The university's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences sought out community pharmacy partners for an internship program supported in...

After years of peaks, 'patent cliff' to slow generics growth.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)
November 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- The situation is like having plans to bake a loaf of bread for dinner, but discovering at 5 p.m. that the flour is running low, and there is little time to go to the supermarket to buy more. Generic drug makers depend on a...

Medicaid agrees to revise multisource drug guidelines.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Bowing to pressure from retail pharmacy and other groups, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a revised definition of multiple-source drugs to be reimbursed under its new payment formula for Medicaid...

Generics may narrow 'doughnut-hole' impact.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)
November 17, 2008... FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. -- When older Americans fall into the Medicare Part D drug coverage gap known as the doughnut hole, it would seem to be good news for nobody--particularly Medicare beneficiaries themselves. But the generic drug industry is...

Wal-Mart drops Caterpillar employee co-pay.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- In September, retailer Wal-Mart and construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar announced a deal whereby Caterpillar employees, retirees, their spouses and dependents would be able to obtain waivers on co-pays for generic drugs....

Johnson & Johnson.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug Prezista as a once-daily component of combination therapy for adult HIV patients who have not previously received HIV drugs, drug maker Johnson & Johnson has announced. The agency also...

Web-hosting companies are eliminating sites that sell drugs illegally before a new law that strengthens regulations on online pharmacies goes into effect.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Web-hosting companies are eliminating sites that sell drugs illegally before a new law that strengthens regulations on online pharmacies goes into effect. The new law, which Pres. Bush signed in October, requires patients buying drugs from...

Macleods Pharmaceuticals.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval to Indian drug maker Macleods Pharmaceuticals" generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's HW drug Epivir (lamivudine), FDA records show. The drug would be available as 150 mg and 300...

Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk has partnered with Swedish biotech Cellartis and Lund University to use human stem cells to develop cells that produce insulin for patients with diabetes, Cellartis has announced.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk has partnered with Swedish biotech Cellartis and Lund University to use human stem cells to develop cells that produce insulin for patients with diabetes, Cellartis has announced. The collaboration aims to...

Discount generics programs flood retail.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)
November 17, 2008... A competitive retail trend to offer generic prescriptions at low-ball prices to consumers has turned into a juggernaut this year. One of the last major holdouts, CVS Caremark, finally stepped onto the field with a program beginning Nov. 9...

Generics market becomes international as M&A activity intensifies.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)
November 17, 2008... There's a paradox in the drug industry; as more generic drugs appear on the market, there are fewer generic companies manufacturing them. The last few years have seen a spate of consolidations and acquisitions, and the biggest merger news...

J.D. Power reports customers happy with flat-rate generics.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)(Survey)
November 17, 2008... WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Retailers that offer patients flat-rate generic prescription-pricing programs leave their customers with relatively high levels of satisfaction, according to a recent report by J.D. Power and Associates. The...

Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences.(Supplier News)(drug approval)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has approved Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences' Acanya gel, the agency announced. The topical drug is approved for treating acne vulgaris in children and adults ages 12 and older. Its active ingredients are...

Teva Pharmaceuticals.(Supplier News)(fentanyl transdermal system)(drug approval)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has approved Teva Pharmaceuticals' fentanyl transdermal system, CII. The drug is available as a patch with dosages of 25, 50, 75 and 100 micrograms in cartons containing five patches. It is a generic...

Nerviano Medical Sciences.(Supplier News)(Nerviano Medical Sciences collaboration with Genentech)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Nerviano Medical Sciences, which develops cancer drugs, has announced a multiyear collaboration with South San Francisco, Calif.-based Genentech to search for antibody drug compounds to develop anticancer drugs. It is the second agreement...

Cypress Pharmaceutical.(Supplier News)(drug approval for cetirizine hydrochioride )(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... The Food and Drug Administration has approved Cypress Pharmaceutical's 1 mg/ml cetirizine hydrochioride oral solution. The solution is a generic equivalent of Johnson & Johnson's Zyrtec oral solution, and the prescription version is...

Generics play the branded game.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)
November 17, 2008... Generic drug companies are moving into the branded drug arena. The move is possible because these companies have the financial clout, as they consolidate and grow, according to Charles-Andre Brouwers, a partner with The Boston Consulting...

APhA offers guidebooks to ease MTM confusion.(Special Report: Generic Drugs)(American Pharmacists Association)(medication therapy management)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- With the Medicare Part D program nearing the end of its third year and confusion still surrounding the role pharmacies are expected to play in medication therapy management, the American Pharmacists Association has unveiled two...

CRN bucks 'alternative' rap, promotes supplements.(OVER THE COUNTER)(Council for Responsible Nutrition)
November 17, 2008... The dietary supplement industry is leaving the last vestiges of its wild, wild West huckster reputation behind in favor of an image of responsibility and accountability. At least that's the message that came out of the Council for Responsible...

Alli users shift eating, food-shopping patterns.(OVER THE COUNTER)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... PITTSBURGH -- According to the latest research, GlaxoSmithKline's nonprescription weight-loss drug Alli may be having more than just a significant impact on the category of dietary supplement diet aids; Alli shoppers appear to be changing the...

Consumers to keep buying supplements.(OVER THE COUNTER)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The majority of dietary supplement users don't intend to cut back on their supplement regimen despite the tougher economic times, according to a survey released last month by the Council for Responsible Nutrition and conducted by...

Intimacy products go organic.(WHAT'S HOT)(Good Clean Love)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... EUGENE, Ore. -- In a category dominated by the big three mainstream companies, Good Clean Love is hoping to get its intimacy health brand off the ground. The personal lubricant, 95 per-cent of which is derived from organic ingredients, is...

Glucosamine/chondroitin trials show inconsistent results.(OVER THE COUNTER)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The second arm of the Glucosamine Chondroitin Intervention Trial was released in September, but, like the first arm, it's likely to drive more people away from trying GC supplements than attract consumers to the category. The...

Consumer perception shifts to prevention.(OVER THE COUNTER)(Editorial)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The focus around the cost of health care that was fueled by this year's presidential campaign may prove to be a boon for dietary supplement manufacturers--especially as more healthcare professionals and payers focus on ways to...

W. F. Young.(Supplier News)(appointment of Adam Raczkowski )(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... W. F. Young, marketers of Absorbine Jr., last month named Adam Raczkowski president, making him only the third person who is not a family member to lead the company in its 116-year history, W.F. Young stated. Tyler Young, former president and...

Carma Laboratories.(Supplier News)(Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra-Hydrating Lip Balm)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Carma Laboratories last month announced the Watgreens-exclusive launch of Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra-Hydrating Lip Balm, a lip balm that uses aloe, shea butter and vitamin E to provide moisturizing protection. The premium lip balm is...

NBTY.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... NBTY, parent company of Nature's Bounty, was recently recognized by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership as a Business Leader for Energy Efficiency, thanks in part to a 35-year heritage of seeking greener alternatives in the manufacture...

CRN, CHPA see difficulties with country-of-origin labeling.(OVER THE COUNTER)
November 17, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association both recently spoke out against proposed country-of-origin labeling requirements for dietary supplements put forward by Rep. John Dingell,...

LifeScan.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... LifeScan, the maker of OneTouch Brand blood glucose monitoring systems for people with diabetes, last month launched its Global Diabetes Handprint (www.DiabetesHandprint.com) initiative, developed in collaboration with the Diabetes Hands...

According to court documents filed last month, Merix Pharmaceutical and GlaxoSmithKline have settled a three-year dispute over advertising and competition practices for an undisclosed amount.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... According to court documents filed last month, Merix Pharmaceutical and GlaxoSmithKline have settled a three-year dispute over advertising and competition practices for an undisclosed amount. "in exchange for certain consideration, the...

McNeil Consumer Healthcare.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... McNeil Consumer Healthcare last month rebranded its Imodium Advanced Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief to better position the brand as the fastest antidiarrhea medicine that also relieves symptoms of gas, cramps, bloating and pressure. Imodium...

Opportunities abound to 'man' personal care segment.(BEAUTY CARE)(Report)
November 17, 2008... Men--especially young men who are more open to experimenting with products--continue to represent an opportunity for the personal care segment, and manufacturers are heeding the call by continuing to roll out "manly" products. ...

Study sorts out shopper behavior.(BEAUTY CARE)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- When shopping the aisles, consumers adopt one of five shopping modes, and understanding this behavior can help consumer packaged goods companies maintain their share in today's turbulent economy, according to a recent study by The...

Natural Products Association.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... The Natural Products Association has announced that the first set of health and beauty care products to bear the new seal verifying certification will hit shelves in the near future. Products from Aubrey Organics, Burt's Bees and J.R....

Elizabeth Arden.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Britney Spears unveiled the national ad for her fragrance Hidden Fantasy Britney Spears, the newest addition to her fragrance collection from Elizabeth Arden. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The launch follows her fragrances Curious Britney...

Helen of Troy.(Supplier News)(Ogilvie Company Inc. acquired)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Personal care company Helen of Troy has acquired the worldwide rights and trademarks to the Ogilvie brand of at-home salon hair permanent and straightening products from bankrupt Ascendia Brands. According to published reports, Helen of Troy...

Naturally hydrating makeup.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... BALTIMORE, Md. -- Jane & Co. remains on the health-and-wellness trail with its newest launch, dubbed Jane Be Pure Aguaceuticals, a makeup collection that is naturally hydrating. The collection, which follows the 2007 launch of Jane Be Pure...

Beauty naturally on a budget in 2009.(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)
November 17, 2008... What's hot for 2009 in the rapidly growing beauty category? Judging by the influx of new products and the trepidation still slamming Wall Street, it is likely that three key trends will be evident in the coming year: natural or organic beauty,...

Ulta opens first urban location in Chicago.(IN THE NEWS)(Ulta Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance Inc.)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Ulta recently celebrated the grand opening of its first urban location on State Street in Chicago. To celebrate the grand opening, held Oct. 15, Ulta on State Street provided free cosmetics consultations, and the first 100 customers...

Survey: women find calm in beauty aisle.(IN THE NEWS)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... PALO ALTO, Calif. -- A recent survey found that women are extremely anxious about the economic downturn. However, some are still willing to treat themselves and are looking to boost their spirits in the beauty aisle. According to a survey...

Technology key to connecting with ethnic teens.(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)
November 17, 2008... The ethnic health and beauty market is projected to hit a record high in U.S. retail sales by 2012, so those manufacturers and retailers looking to tap into this lucrative market would be wise not to rest on their laurels. While developing the...

AHBAI spotlights burgeoning ethnic market.(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)
November 17, 2008... LAS VEGAS -- The American Health and Beauty Aids Institute held its 2008 Ethnic HBC Mid-Year Buyers and Marketing Conference here in August, attracting nearly 120 executives from the beauty industry. The theme of the event, held Aug. 25 to...

CCA donates $92k to breast cancer coalition.(THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY)(Young Survival Coalition)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Looking to support breast cancer awareness, CCA Industries' president and chief operating officer Dunnan Edell recently donated $92,143.25 to the Young Survival Coalition. The YSC is the breast cancer support and...

Drug retailers feed consumer desires with healthful snacks.(CONSUMABLES)
November 17, 2008... Consumers may be watching their pocketbooks, but their snack preferences still are trending toward the more healthful options. While promotions were plentiful at one Walgreens store, healthful snacks were the highlight. On an endcap near...

Spicing up snack foods.(Q&A)(dialogue with Stephen Kalil)(Interview)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Four-alarm flavors, hard-to-pronounce berries from the rainforest and sweet combinations have had a big impact on the snack category. Drug Store News asked Stephen Kalil, executive chef at Frito-Lay North America's Culinary Innovation Center,...

Private label thrives in weak economy.(CONSUMABLES)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- The economy has been good to private-label brands. Supermarket retailer Kroger credited its 3.4 percent second-quarter earnings jump to an increase in sales of store-brand products. Private-label brands accounted for a record 26...

Fiber One pops up in toaster.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- General Mills has expanded its Fiber One line into toaster pastries, available in strawberry, blueberry, chocolate fudge and brown sugar cinnamon flavors. The breakfast treats contain 20 percent of the daily recommendation for...

Drug channel can offer value-pricing for holiday toys.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)
November 17, 2008... The holiday season may be hard on toys and gift-related product categories, but it may present opportunities for drug store operators that can effectively address critical trends regarding pricing and product features. Anita Frazier, NPD...

Mass plays with $10 toy price point.(GENERAL MERCHANDISE)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cuts prices on key toys)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- Mass-market retailers are making the $10 price point a critical mark on this holiday season. Wal-Mart set the standard, cutting prices to $10 on key toys, including two Barbie SKUs, two Hot Wheels play sets, the Play-Doh Ice Cream...

Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... As the holiday season begins, Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment is launching "Hello Dolly!" on DVD. With a Nov. 18 rollout, the DVD offers such classic songs as "It Only Takes a Moment" and "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," as well as classic...

Imation Corp.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Imation Corp., under its Memorex brand, is launching the LapOffice, a portable lap desk designed to make working on a portable computer more comfortable. Designed to be functional and stylish, the Memorex LapOffice features a quilted lap...

National Retail Federation.(Supplier News)(Rite Aid Corp. offers gift cards)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... Gift cards aren't going away. Rite Aid stores were offering holiday-themed plush gift card holders/toys in October, and the National Retail Federation affirmed that this trend will continue. In an NRF study, 54.9 percent of consumers said...

Making meals fun for kids.(WHAT'S HOT)(Zak Designs and W!ldbrain Entertainment teams up)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... SPOKANE, Wash. -- Parents may be more conscious of what children eat today, but they also know that when kids have some mealtime fun, the good stuff goes down smoother. So Zak Designs has partnered with W!ldbrain Entertainment on mealtime...