Combe sells cough/cold, skin care, foot care units
Combe Inc. has completed the sale of its cough and cold, skin care and foot care businesses to Reckitt Benckiser Inc. and Blistex Inc.
CDR
Mars rolls out Snickers Peanut Butter Squared
Mars Chocolate North America has shipped a new variety of its Snickers candy bar, Snickers Peanut Butter Squared, to drug stores and other mass retailers nationwide.
SC Johnson offers to buy Sara Lee shoe care business
Sara Lee Corp. has received an offer from SC Johnson to acquire Sara Lee’s global shoe care business, including the venerable Kiwi brand, for 245 million euros ($327.9 million). Sara Lee said Monday that the binding offer also includes the Kiwi Kleen, Bama, Tana and Meltonian brands.
USP develops new standards for Rx labels
For the first time, universal standards for prescription drug labels that reflect how patients read and understand medication instructions are being proposed on a national level, according to the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP).
CVS Caremark to buy Medicare Part D business
CVS Caremark Corp. has agreed to acquire the Medicare Part D business of Universal American for $1.25 billion. The company said Friday that the acquisition of the Part D business of Rye Brook, N.Y.
Integrated Walgreens, Duane Reade find ‘best way’
If John Spina’s work to integrate Duane Reade into Walgreens goes well, it will be invisible to consumers. Thus far, it has been just that, as evidenced by the continued strength of Duane Reade under its new owner.
Walgreens, DR execs are <i>CDR</i> Retailers of the Year
One man was integral to possibly the most dramatic two-year transformation in the history of chain drug retailing. The second grasped its import early on and helped find a way to turn it to his company’s advantage. The third is making sure its benefits endure.
Late surge lifts chain drug holiday sales
A last-minute shopping surge turned a disappointing holiday selling season into an acceptable one for America’s chain drug retailers, as customers crowded into the nation’s chain drug stores during the three days before Christmas to buy many of the holiday items they had repeatedly deferred or postp
CVS eyes options following Mullany ruling
It appears unlikely that Hank Mullany will join CVS/pharmacy. In the wake of a decision by a Delaware judge to prevent, at least temporarily, the former Walmart executive from becoming president of the drug chain, sources close to parent company CVS Caremark Corp.
Cardinal, Walgreens extends distribution deal
Cardinal Health Inc. has announced the early renewal of its distribution agreement with Walgreen Co. to supply pharmaceuticals to its more than 7,600 retail pharmacies across the country. The new agreement extends into 2013. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Medicaid cuts weighed by Washington state
Adults receiving prescription coverage under Washington state’s Medicaid program could lose that benefit if lawmakers do not find a way to trim the state’s budget shortfall when they reconvene later this month. Facing a $1.1 billion deficit, Washington Gov.
Walgreens, HHS target flu
Walgreen Co. and the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) have joined forces to provide flu vaccinations to hundreds of thousands of people who may not otherwise be able to afford them.
Lewis Drugs breaks mold of ‘cookie-cutter drug stores’
Lewis Drugs has debuted its “store of the future” here, a 40,000-square-foot unit with an upscale decor, diverse consumables and general merchandise, and even a climate-controlled Four Seasons garden wing with a retractable roof.
Courts divided over constitutionality of health reform law
Last month’s ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that part of the health care reform law is unconstitutional and hints from another judge in Florida that he may issue a similar decision have set the stage for a long legal battle. The ruling by Judge Henry Hudson of Federal District Court
Pharmasave’s Paish: Rx needs to stand up
A relative newcomer to the community pharmacy world has challenged the industry to take a different tack in addressing the issues confronting it.
More chains join UnitedHealthcare Rx network
The UnitedHealthcare segment of UnitedHealth Group has added five retail chains to its program that provides Medicare Part D beneficiaries enrolled in the company’s plan with savings on the prescriptions they fill at the chains’ pharmacies. Executives say the addition of Target Corp.; H.E.