Consumer confidence dips in December
Though drug store chains and other retailers got a lift from a late-season holiday sales surge, consumer confidence waned in December, according to a major economic benchmark.
CDR
Rite Aid kicks off Resolutions Rewards
Rite Aid Corp.’s wellness+ customer loyalty card is the centerpiece of a New Year-themed sweepstakes program that runs through late next month. The drug store chain said Tuesday that customers who use their wellness+ card from now through Jan.
BioScrip wraps up debt refinancing
BioScrip Inc. has closed a new $150 million syndicated revolving credit facility. The pharmacy services company said Tuesday that the new facility will be structured as an amendment and restatement of the prior $100 million term loan and $50 million revolver.
Coty readies flurry of Sally Hansen launches
Coty Inc. is launching a wide range of Sally Hansen beauty implements and nail care products in the first quarter, including polish, polish strips, gel treatments and growth serum. The company is also rolling out new Sally Hansen hand creams, foot care products, lip treatments and a depilatory.
Sustainability strategy progresses at Nice-Pak
Nice-Pak Products Inc. has transformed its Mooresville, Ind., manufacturing plant into what it calls a “zero landfill” facility. The move, expected to keep more than 4,200 tons of waste a year from going into landfills, is the second transformation of a Nice-Pak facility in the past six months.
Cephalon names Buchi as CEO
Cephalon Inc. has appointed J. Kevin Buchi as chief executive officer and a member of the biopharmaceutical company’s board. The move comes following the death of Cephalon founder, chairman and CEO Frank Baldino Jr. earlier this month at age 57 from complications related to leukemia.
Merck’s Gardasil approved for new indications
Gardasil, Merck’s vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN).
Shoppers Drug Mart aids with New Year’s resolutions
Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. aims to help customers live up to their New Year’s resolutions focused on health and wellness.
Bartell donates flu shots for Rx outreach programs
Bartell Drugs is donating 4,000 doses of flu vaccine to support of pharmacy outreach programs at the University of Washington and Washington State University.
2010 holiday sales: Late boost for drug chains
A last-minute shopping surge turned a disappointing 2010 holiday selling season into an acceptable one for America’s chain drug retailers.
Watson gets OK for novel oral contraceptive
Watson Pharmaceuticals next year plans to roll out a chewable, low-dose oral contraceptive that the company called a new option for birth control.
Novartis triple-combination pill approved for hypertension
Novartis has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for Amturnide tablets for the treatment of high blood pressure.
PhRMA elects new board members
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) this week announced the election of four new members to its board of directors. PhRMA said Tuesday that the new board members are Ian Read, president and chief executive officer of Pfizer Inc.; Jerzy Gruhn, president Novo Nordisk Inc.
Abbott Diabetes Care recalls blood glucose test strips
Abbott Diabetes Care has begun a recall of 359 lots of various brands of blood glucose test strips in the United States and Puerto Rico.
NCPA, NACDS hail TRICARE pharmacy co-pay freeze
The National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores have applauded lawmakers for approving a measure that freezes retail pharmacy co-payments in TRICARE, the health coverage program for the armed forces.
Analysts: Walgreens sharpens front-end execution
Financial analysts highlighted Walgreen Co.’s improved front-end performance in reports on the drug store chain’s fiscal 2011 first quarter results. "Walgreens appears to have established some positive momentum in its front-end business," William Blair & Co.