BioScrip inks specialty Rx pact with Access
BioScrip Inc. and Access Pharmaceuticals Inc. have entered a specialty distribution agreement for Access’ lead product, MuGard.
Latest
Mylan releases generic patch for hypertension
Mylan Inc. has begun shipping a generic clonidine patch for treating high blood pressure. The drug maker said Monday that its Mylan Technologies Inc.
Pharmaca hires merchandising VP
Food and drug retailing veteran David Janowicz has been appointed vice president of merchandising at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc. The western regional drug store chain said Monday that Janowicz will play a critical role in upcoming merchandising initiatives.
FDA warns about stolen Advair Diskus inhalers
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert that certain Advair Diskus inhalers stolen from a distribution warehouse last year have been found in some pharmacies. According to the FDA, the safety and effectiveness of the stolen inhalers can’t be assured and therefore they shouldn’t be used.
NACDS applauds new Louisiana MTM law
Legislation that enables pharmacists to administer medication therapy management (MTM) services to patients in Louisiana has drawn praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Signed into law on June 25 by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (D.), the bill was introduced by State Rep.
McKesson named Walmart supplier of the year
McKesson Corp. said it has been recognized by Walmart as one of the retail giant’s best-performing suppliers in 2009.
Cardinal closes Healthcare Solutions acquisition
Cardinal Health Inc. has finalized its acquisition of Healthcare Solutions Holding LLC. The pharmaceutical and health care products distributor announced the $517 million cash deal early last month, saying that the agreement would expand the company’s presence in specialty pharmaceutical services.
Obama administration gets health reform under way
Health care reform is being viewed more favorably following the Obama administration’s rollout of multiple regulations laying the groundwork for the law’s implementation.
Panel delivers split decision on Avandia
An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s (GSK) diabetes drug Avandia should remain on the market, but possibly with tough new restrictions and new warnings.
Back-to-school sales may jump 16% over 2009
The economy may be in for a positive jolt if back-to-school spending rises by the 16% predicted by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF, citing consumers surveyed by BIGResearch, said families with students plan to spend about $55.1 billion, compared with $47.5 billion a year earlier.
Pharmaprix to make readers accessible
Pharmaprix stores will make their debit card readers more accessible to disabled customers, under an agreement with the Quebec Human Rights Commission. Pharmaprix, operated by Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.
Walgreens raises quarterly dividend 27.3%
Walgreen Co. has increased its quarterly dividend 27.3% to 17.5 cents per share from 13.75 cents per share. The dividend is payable September 11 to shareholders of record August 19. The dividend increase raises the annual rate from 55 cents per share to 70 cents per share.
Carlyle Group to buy NBTY for $3.8 billion
Dietary supplements supplier NBTY Inc. has agreed to be purchased by private equity firm Carlyle Group for $3.8 billion in one of the biggest private equity deals thus far in 2010. Carlyle’s $55 a share cash offer is 47% above NBTY’s stock close on Wednesday. NBTY announced the deal a day after
Mac Crawford, Wilbur Ross to invest in health care
Former CVS Caremark Corp. chairman Mac Crawford and Wilbur Ross Jr. of WL Ross & Co. are forming a joint venture to invest in and restructure health care companies. The partnership could spend more than $1 billion to "build a major position in health care," Ross said.
Retail sales drop in June for second straight month
Retail sales slipped in June for the second consecutive month, fueling fears that the economy’s turnaround will lose steam over the remainder of the year. Sales dipped 0.5% in June, the Commerce Department reported today. The decline came on the heels of a 1.1% drop in May.
Dick Domann named VP of Kerr Health
Pharmaceutical industry veteran Dick Domann has been named vice president of sales and business development for the Kerr Health unit of Kerr Drug. "Dick’s immense pharmaceutical background makes him a wonderful addition to our team,” said Kerr chief executive officer Tony Civello.