Pfizer buys Emergen-C maker Alacer
Pfizer Inc. has acquired Alacer Corp., the maker and distributor of Emergen-C products, the nation’s largest-selling branded vitamin C product line. Financial terms of the deal, announced Monday, weren’t disclosed.
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Mylan’s Mauro tabbed as GPhA chairman
Tony Mauro, president of Mylan North America and its Mylan Pharmaceuticals subsidiary, has been elected as chairman of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) board of directors. Mylan said Friday that Mauro’s term as GPhA chairman will last for one year.
Rite Aid closes offering of new senior notes
Rite Aid Corp. has completed the issuance of $481 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2020, the proceeds from which will be used to help refinance debt. The drug chain said Monday that it has closed its offering, announced earlier this month, of 9.25% senior notes due 2020. Along with
Walgreens recognized as health care innovator
Walgreen Co. has been named as one of the health care industry’s most innovative companies by Fast Company magazine.
APhA poll shows pharmacists’ top OTC picks
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has released the results of a survey showing the top over-the-counter cold, flu and allergy medicines recommended by pharmacists.
Coalition chides Express Scripts CEO for remarks
Preserve Community Pharmacy Access Now! (PCPAN), a coalition formed last fall to oppose the merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc., blasted Express Scripts chief executive officer George Paz for comments that the group said devalued the role of community pharmacists.
Rite Aid goes to one provider for print, digital circulars
Rite Aid Corp. has named a single printer to handle its weekly newspaper circular as well as the digital version. Quad/Graphics Inc.
Rx groups hail Supreme Court ruling on Medi-Cal
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, American Pharmacists Association (APhA), National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) applauded a 5-4 decision by the U.S.
Loeffler blasts Express Scripts-Medco deal
The pending $29 billion merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. is “not bad for a couple of middlemen,” National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Bob Loeffler said this month during a withering attack at the organization’s Regional Chain Conference.
As opposition mounts, FTC weighs big PBM deal
Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. have provided the Federal Trade Commission with additional data about their planned merger, even as opposition to the deal grows.
Impact of impasse reflected in January sales
Retail sales in January were generally mixed, and the leading drug chains’ fortunes — notably Walgreen Co. — varied widely. Overall, chain drug store sales improved a modest 2.3% to $18.17 billion during January, while same-store sales edged up just 0.5%.
Walgreens is moving ahead
January sales figures underlined the impact of Walgreen Co.’s loss of Express Scripts Inc.’s prescription business, but the numbers did not dismay all analysts.
APhA lauds Rite Aid immunization effort
Rite Aid Corp. and a CVS/pharmacy pharmacist and a CVS pharmacy technician are among the winners of the American Pharmacists Association’s 2012 APhA Immunization Champion Awards. The awards will be presented at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans, March 9 through March 12.
CMS asked to hold back on publishing FULs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should stop publishing draft federal upper limit (FUL) lists based on average manufacturer price (AMP) until a formal rule-making process on AMP is completed, says the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
Kinney realigns merchandising team
Regional chain Kinney Drugs has revamped its merchandising department.
Rite Aid implements plan to refinance debt
With its top-line and operating results on the upswing, Rite Aid Corp. has moved to refinance debt. The drug chain this month announced a plan to issue $481 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2020 to help fund a tender offer to buy $459 million of its 8.625% senior notes