Drug Store News articles from September 2006

Drug Store News archives from September 2006

Rite Aid buys Brooks-Eckerd--Coutu to be top shareholder.
September 11, 2006... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Just as Drug Store News reported exclusively in its Aug. 21 NewsFirst edition, Rite Aid agreed last month to acquire the Canadian drug retailer's U.S. operations, including both Brooks and Eckerd banners with the Jean Coutu...

Medicare Part D 'doughnut hole' looms, as angry seniors face drug coverage gap.(News)
September 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Mark Sept. 22 on your calendar. That s the day that one seniors' advocacy group predicts the average Medicare-eligible American will fall into the "doughnut hole," the much-anticipated gap in prescription drug coverage that occurs...

NACDS leaders rally pharmacy to fight for share of health dollars.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference)(Conference notes)
September 11, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- With increasing urgency, retail pharmacy's highest-profile leaders have exhorted the industry in recent months to put aside competitive differences and fight for a rightful share of the health care dollar and a full seat at the...

QuickHealth's 'nueva' spin on in-store clinics: en Espanol.(QuickHealth clinics)
September 11, 2006... OAKLAND, Calif. -- In-store health clinics have become a staple of retail pharmacy and most have adopted a common look and business model. But new QuickHealth clinics in the Bay Area are taking a different approach and targeting a largely...

FDA approves dual-label Plan B amid swirl of political controversy.
September 11, 2006... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Almost three years after a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee recommended that the emergency contraceptive Plan B would be appropriate for sale over-the-counter, the FDA last month finally approved Barr...

No waiting expected at Weis clinics.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Weis Markets is opening at least five in-store clinics this year in Pennsylvania, the first in the region, in conjunction with Geisinger Health System. The first CareWorks Convenient Healthcare clinic opened this month in a Weis...

Price Chopper opens its first clinic.(SUPERMARKET AISLE)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Price Chopper, based here, opened its first mini clinic this month in a brand new store in Putnam, Conn. If the store is successful, the supermarket chain will roll the clinics out to more stores. Patients will be...

Super Bi-Lo to have wellness center.(SUPERMARKET AISLE)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... MAULDIN, S.C. -- Bi-Lo has announced that it is building a Super Bi-Lo, which will contain an in-store wellness center. The new store, which it expects to open next summer in Simpsonville, will be a second prototype for the chain (the first...

Giant Food plans new stores.(SUPERMARKET AISLE)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food plans to open eight new or replacement stores by the end of this year, as well as six stores that have been extensively remodeled. The goal is to make the shopping experience more pleasant and easier, saidBill...

Diverters squelch innovation, small suppliers charge.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores Town Hall meeting )
September 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- According to several suppliers who earlier this year attended the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Town Hall meeting at Marketplace, smaller suppliers have several significant challenges that go far beyond figuring out how...

City's retail bounces back from 9-11 tragedy.
September 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- It has been five years since the attacks on the World Trade Center killed nearly 2,800 people, inflicted horror and emotional devastation among the survivors and brought the New York City economy to its knees. Of the lower Manhattan...

Fred.(appointment of Gerald Thompson )(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Fred's has appointed former Eckerd executive Gerald Thompson as executive vice president and chief operating officer. In addition, Rick Chambers, senior vice president of pharmacy operations, has been promoted to executive...

Chain Drug Consortium.(appointment of Lynn King)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Chain Drug Consortium has appointed former Eckerd executive Lynn King director of pharmacy purchasing and professional services. King, who most recently served as senior director of pharmaceutical purchasing at...

Pharmavite.(appointment of Connie Barry, Steve Chopp and Gary Kuchta )(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- Pharmavite, the maker of Nature Made vitamins, has announced changes to its leadership team. Connie Barry, chief operating officer, has been named president and co-chief executive officer. Steve Chopp has been promoted...

Novo Nordisk.(appointment of Camille Lee)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... PRINCETON, N.J. -- Novo Nordisk has promoted Camille Lee to vice president of diabetes brand marketing. Lee also will serve as a member of the Novo Nordisk executive team, reporting to president Martin Soeters. Lee most recently was regional...

Rx suppliers reveal how retailers can add value.(News)
September 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- A landmark study of leading pharmaceutical suppliers has identified 14 ways in which retail pharmacy could add value and play a more proactive role in patient adherence and the disease management process through 2010. This list of...

IRI study shatters baby boomer shopping myths.(Industrial Research Institute )
September 11, 2006... CHICAGO -- Attention retailers and manufacturers: Much of what you think you know about the baby boomer consumer market may be false. That was one of several key takeaways from a report released in August from Information Resources Inc.,...

Report: in-store clinics could drive Rx earnings.(News)
September 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- Standard & Poor's Equity Research Services believes public pharmacies' expansion into limited medical care could be a significant growth opportunity for retail pharmacy chains, according to an abbreviated report released last month....

Krahulec, respected pharmacy veteran, dies.(Obituary)(Obituary)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- Chain drug veteran Jim Krahulec died suddenly while attending the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference Aug. 29. Krahulec, whose abrupt passing stunned his many friends and admirers at the event, was eulogized by NACDS interim...

Pharmacy & Technology welcoming reception.(Making the Scene)(Photograph)
September 11, 2006... Brad Mitchell and Sallie Sherman of S4 Consultants with Bill Fogarty of Adams Respiratory Therapeutics and Tony Lisanti of Drug Store News Kristen Chambers and Bruce Schwallie of Longs John Fegan of Ahold USA and Michael Major of Meijer...

Pharmacy closing reception.(Making the Scene)
September 11, 2006... Phil Burgess, the 2006 Harold W. Pratt Award winner, with conference chairman Dan Haron and Mary Haron Dave Fong of Safeway with Kevin Nicholson of NACDS

Fougera cares.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Fougera Cares, Fougera's philanthropic giving program, named Cure Autism Now the 2006 beneficiary of its major annual grant. Pictured from left are Paul McGarty of Fougera; Peter Bell of Cure Autism Now; Joyce Schlener of Fougera; Scott...

Rite Aid's Brooks-Eckerd buy has many upsides.(Opinion)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... It's been a little more than two years since Brooks began the monumental task of transitioning 1,539 Eckerd stores that its parent company, The Jean Coutu Group, had acquired from J.C. Penney in a mega-deal that catapulted the 330-unit regional...

What's in a name? For the customer--everything.(Opinion)(acquisition of Brooks-Eckerd)(Editorial)
September 11, 2006... If you were one of the 37,000-plus who received a copy of the Drug Store News electronic news alert in your email inbox on the afternoon of August 23, or one of among tens of thousands others who received a copy of the Drug Store News Newsfirst...

Doing things 'Rite' proves critics wrong.(Brooks and Eckerd )
September 11, 2006... Rite Aid's acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd stores George Mason University's run last spring to the NCAA Final Four have a lot in common. Because even as the Patriots continued to project their success and confidence in doing what it takes...

Paid a premium, but didn't overpay.(Overview)(acquisition of Brooks and Eckerd stores )
September 11, 2006... At first blush, it might seem as if Rite Aid is paying a premium for the 1,858 Brooks and Eckerd stores it is acquiring from The Jean Coutu Group, the vast majority of which are considered underperforming operations. At $3.4 billion, the deal...

Best of Brooks is right script for pharmacy.
September 11, 2006... Rite Aid has been intently focused on improving its pharmacy sales for some time now, as evidenced by its rising pharmacy comps. In the past year, Rite Aid has gone from barely moving the needle in pharmacy comps to consistently hitting...

Acquisition won't derail plans for new stores.
September 11, 2006... While Rite Aid had planned to open any-from 800 to 1,000 new or relocated stores by 2010, there is nothing like an 1,800-store acquisition to kick store development plans into high gear. And don't expect the Brooks-Eckerd deal to derail the...

Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions of Boehringer Ingelheim's Mobic tablets (meloxicam) to treat osteoarthritis. The approval of meloxicam was the result of a cluster review, in which the FDA reviews groups...

Prizer.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Pfizer has begun a physician and patient education and training program for Exubera, an inhalable insulin, which is set for a September market launch. Exubera is the first of its kind to enter the market. Biopharmaceutical company Nektar...

GlaxoSmithKline.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... The U.S. government has made an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to supply its influenza drug, Relenza, to states at a subsidized price. The deal comes as governments around the world are stockpiling antiviral drugs in the event of a bird flu...

Eli Lilly and Alcon have signed a long-term agreement to co-promote Lilly's treatment for an eye disease caused by diabetes.(Supplier News)(Alcon Laboratories Inc.)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Eli Lilly and Alcon have signed a long-term agreement to co-promote Lilly's treatment for an eye disease caused by diabetes, should the product gain regulatory approval in the United States and Puerto Rico. Ruboxistaurin mesylate, whose...

Kerr brings SmartCare clinics to Carolinas' drug stores.(Chain Pharmacy)(Kerr Drug)(SmartCare Family Medical Centers )
September 11, 2006... RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new partnership between Kerr Drug and SmartCare Family Medical Centers apparently is finding fertile ground in the Carolinas. Close on the heels of the August grand opening of SmartCare's first in-store clinics in three...

Indy pharmacists' biggest headache: the reimbursement struggle, survey finds.(Chain Pharmacy)(Survey)
September 11, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The slow pace of Medicare prescription payments continues to plague owner-operated pharmacies, according to a recent survey of more than 500 independent pharmacists. The problem of sluggish reimbursements from the...

Class action suit over Vioxx carries benefits, risks for Merck.(Chain Pharmacy)
September 11, 2006... WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. -- Merck's scorecard in the lawsuits it is facing regarding Vioxx is evening out, and the number of cases the drug maker faces may soon diminish substantially. The company recently lost two more cases, bringing both...

Bipartisan bill elevates drug safety oversight.(Chain Pharmacy)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Two U.S. senators have proposed legislation to force drug makers to complete post-approval studies and safety monitoring plans for recently approved drugs, or otherwise face fines. The legislation, from Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and...

Rx aimed at women continues to expand.(Chain Pharmacy)(industry sales)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... NEW YORK -- The women's pharmaceutical market is likely to be worth almost $64 billion by 2010, according to a new study from Kalorama Information. According to Women s Health: Worldwide Prescription Drug Markets, revenues from drugs for...

Pharmacies urged to climb aboard biotech bandwagon.(Chain Pharmacy)
September 11, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- There's an opportunity lying in wait for the nation's drug stores, but the problem is many of them have barely even thought about it, never mind considered how to grab a piece of the action. The opportunity lies with biotech...

Q & A: going to Plan B Carol Cox Barr Laboratories.(OTC/Natural Health)(Interview)
September 11, 2006... On Aug. 24, the Food and Drug Administration approved Barr Laboratories' over-the-counter switch application for the emergency contraceptive Plan B, often called "the morning-after pill," for sale to women over the age of 18. This marks...

Federal regulations likely to chill out sales of pseudoephedrine products.
September 11, 2006... As of Sept. 30, the cough/cold landscape is going to look a whole lot different from how it does now, no matter which state you're in. Even though some 36 states had regulations on the books restricting the placement of pseudoephedrine...

Dissolving strips appear to grow.(WHAT'S HOT)(thin strip drugs)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Thin-strip technologies appear to be branching out from a series of cough/cold product introductions into other over-the-counter baskets--including several dietary supplement offerings--suggesting that the format as a delivery device is gaining...

ECRM show debuts head-to-toe OTC products.(OTC/Natural Health)(Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing)(over the counter)
September 11, 2006... With representatives from almost 50 retail chains on hand, vendors attending ECRM's latest trade show last month at the Phoenician hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., launched a number of new over-the-counter products Following are some of the...

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics.(Supplier News)(URL/Mutual files for a single-ingredient formulation of guaifenesin)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Adams Respiratory Therapeutics on Thursday reported that a company has contacted Adams claiming to have submitted an abbreviated new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for a single-ingredient extended-release formulation of...

Generex Biotechnology.(over the counter drug launched)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Generex Biotechnology announced the launch of its new over-the-counter Glucose RapidSpray product in the United States at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition in August in Los Angeles. Glucose...

NV.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... NV last week named actress and model Carmen Electra as its spokeswoman for the the company's combination beauty-enhancing, weight-loss pill. We are thrilled to have Carmen Electra as the new face of NV," stated Brad Woodgate, NV chief...

Synova Health.(OTC/Natural Health)(self-diagnostic product introduced)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Synova Health last month introduced the Fem-V Vaginal Infection Test, a new self-diagnostic product that retails for a suggested price of $7.99. The panty liner evaluates both pH and dilution of vaginal discharge to properly diagnose the cause...

Boehringer Ingelheim.(Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH divests Pharmaton Natural Health Products to Ideasphere Inc.)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Boehringer Ingelheim last month sold its natural healthcare division, Pharmaton, to IdeaSphere. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. To facilitate the transfer of the business, Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to distribute...

NBTY.(OTC/Natural Health)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... NBTY last month acquired Zila Nutraceuticals, manufacturer and marketer of the Ester-C nutritional supplement brand, in a deal worth approximately $40 million. Zila Nutraceuticals had $18 million in net revenue for the nine months ended April...

The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit last month reversed a Utah District Court decision regarding the Food and Drug Administration ban of the herbal ingredient ephedra.(Industry News)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit last month reversed a Utah District Court decision regarding the Food and Drug Administration ban of the herbal ingredient ephedra, effectively reinstituting the ban for all ephedra...

Q & A: hair care goodies Jessica Miller, Goody.(interview )(Interview)
September 11, 2006... Drug Store News: How can retailers better attract shoppers to the hair accessories category? Miller: In our category, we have discovered three areas that can help our retailers attract shoppers to our category: 1. Merchandising and...

Bath and body products bring indulgence home to stressed-out women.(Beauty Care)(Market overview)
September 11, 2006... Today's busy and cash-strapped--amid rising gas prices--shopper is not only yearning for an in-store experience when perusing the beauty aisle, but also is seeking an indulgent experience at home through bath and body products that bring a bit...

Lip gloss adds charm to cell phones.(product introduction)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Looking to cater to today's tech-savvy tween and teen who is all about text messaging and chatting on the cell phone, color-cosmetics manufacturer e.l.f, eyes * lips * face has developed a cell phone charm in the form of a lip gloss. The...

Procter & Gamble.(product introduction)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Procter & Gamble introduced Folgers Gourmet Selections, a variety of premium coffee blends and flavors meant for everyday enjoyment. The introduction, as P&G contends, marks the brand's first foray into the gourmet coffee segment. ...

Jennie-O Turkey Store.(product introduction)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Jennie-O Turkey Store is introducing a variety of premium, fully cooked turkey dinners just in time for the holiday season. The VIP Entertaining Packs serve six to eight people and were developed to look and taste like homemade dishes. The...

Schwan's Consumer Brands North America.(Schwan's Consumer Brands North America partnership with Wolfgang Puck and Wolfgang Puck Worldwide)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Schwan's Consumer Brands North America announced the formation of a partnership with chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck and Wolfgang Puck Worldwide to develop food products. Details of the strategic alliance will follow in the near future,...

Dolen Fresh Vegetables.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Dole Fresh Vegetables denied Internet rumors of a Dole packaged salads recall. "Dole salads are safe to eat," the company stated, "and are processed in state-of-the-art facilities with a priority on product safety." In the United...

Gluten-free food boom could give rise to new drug store sales opportunities.(Consumables)
September 11, 2006... Gluten-free foods may be the hottest thing since low carb. Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, is on the rise. The University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research estimates that one-in-133 people--2.2 million Americans--suffer from...

A splash of flavor for water.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... The bottled water industry has surged from $3.5 billion in sales to more than $10 billion in 2005, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp., but the future of the category depends on on-the-go flavor enhancers for water. A survey commission by...

Tide.(product introduction)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Tide announced the launch of its newest detergent, Simple Pleasures. The laundry soap combines Tide's classic cleaning power with three fragrance choices: vanilla and lavender, water lily and jasmine and rose and violet. Tide Simple...

Warner Bros. Consumer Products.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Warner Bros. Consumer Products and CCI Entertainment announced that Fisher-Price has been named the master toy licensee for "Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs," which currently airs on the Cartoon Network. Fisher-Price will...

Kamhi World.(product introduction)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Kamhi World introduced Talking Family Guy pens based on the show seen on FoxNetwork, TBS and the Cartoon Network. The company reported that 600,000 of the pens have sold in three months, and is offering a buy-back if they do not sell.

Anchor Bay Entertainment.(product introduction)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Anchor Bay Entertainment introduced "Scary Godmother, The Revenge of Jimmy," on DVD. Based on the Cartoon Network show and books by award-winning author Jill Thompson, the DVD tells the story of Jimmy's plan to put a stop to Halloween with...

Fox Home Entertainment.(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Fox Home Entertainment will launch "That 70's Show, Season Five" on Oct. 17. The four-DVD set features all the episodes from the 2002-2003 season along with never-before-aired bonus materials, including episode promos and three featurettes: "A...

Retailers pencil in strong sales hopes as back-to-school season wanes.(General Merchandise)
September 11, 2006... Despite the rising costs of energy, back-to-school shoppers were expected to come out with full force this season. Steve Jacober, president of School Home and Office Products Association, said last month that not only were analysts anticipating...

Hand-helds lift e-game sales.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... MGA Games this fall is launching its Miuchiz electronic hand-held game that users can play offline or over the Internet. The $29.99 unit features a full LCD color display, a push-button screen and infared and motion sensor capabilities. The...

Warner Home Video.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Warner Home Video will mix the old with the new in its next batch of Blu-ray high definition DVD titles. The slate includes the recent Harrison Ford thriller, "Firewall," and the 1970s comedy "B!azing Saddles,i'' along with "Lethal Weap,"...

Paramount Home Entertainment.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Paramount Home Entertainment will score an industry first when it releases "Mission Impossible III" on three formats on the same day. The studio has tabbed Oct. 30 as the day it will release "Mission Impossible III" on standard DVD, as...