Content about COO

Record-breaking attendance and four panel discussions on such topics as specialty pharmacy and diabetes set the stage for the 13th annual Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit held on Nov. 29 in New York City. This year’s event attracted more than 30 retailers and 200 industry suppliers. 


CHADDS FORD, Pa. — Endo Pharmaceuticals announced a short-term supply constraint of analgesic products, including Opana ER, due to the temporary shutdown of a manufacturing facility operated by Novartis Consumer Health.

SALT LAKE CITY — Schiff Nutrition on Tuesday appointed Brian Swette to its board of directors.

“Brian’s combination of consumer marketing, e-commerce and business operations experience will be valuable assets to Schiff as we pursue our growth strategy, especially our plan to build premium brands,” Schiff Nutrition president and CEO Tarang Amin said.

ST. LOUIS — Ralcorp Holdings announced that Terence Block will serve as president and COO of Post Holdings, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Block also will join the board of directors of Post Holdings following completion of the separation of the Ralcorp and Post cereal business.

October sure was a busy month for news in the drug channel. It began in earnest on Oct. 1, the day CVS’ new president officially began his new job. Before the month was over, CVS’ chief merchant left to become president of Family Dollar, and his responsibilities would be carved up between three key executives.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — Health Market Science and PDX are offering PDX system clients access to the HMS Provider MasterFile, the companies said.

HMS, a company that supplies provider data and data management services, and PDX, which provides technology products for the retail pharmacy industry, said PDX Classic Pharmacy System and Enterprise Pharmacy System users would have the same access as "top-tier pharmacy chains across the country."

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Summer Infant has named David Hemendinger as its new COO.

In his new role, Hemendinger will be responsible for assuring that the company's operational infrastructure in its information systems and supply chain effectively and efficiently supports the company's business and growth initiatives, Summer Infant said. He replaces Summer Infant COO Jeffery Hale.

TORONTO — Katz Group Canada, Canada’s largest integrated pharmacy network with more than 1,800 chain, franchise and independent pharmacies, has announced the retirement of industry veteran Andy Giancamilli as CEO, effective Feb. 2, 2012.

Giancamilli, who will serve in an advisory role until May 2012 following his retirement in February, will be succeeded by Frank Scorpiniti, who joined the company in April as COO.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Industry veteran and Bartell Drugs COO Ed Littleton was recognized for his dedication to pharmacy during this year’s National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Pharmacy and Technology Conference and was bestowed the association’s highest honor: the Harold W. Pratt Award.

Serving more than 40 years in the industry, Littleton has spent the last 20 years with Seattle-based Bartell Drugs. Prior to that, he served 22 years with Pay ‘n Save.
 

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Tuesday continued its management makeover with the promotions of Jeffrey Hennion and Darryl Green and the announced resignation of COO David Berg.

The specialty retailer last week named Thomas Dowd, a 22-year GNC veteran, the company’s chief merchandising officer following the departure of Beth Kaplan, former president and chief merchandising officer. It also was announced last week that GNC CEO Joe Fortunato would assume the role of president.

DARMSTADT, Germany — Merck KGaA division Merck Serono has appointed Belen Garijo as COO and Annalisa Jenkins as global head of drug development and medical, effective Sept. 5.

The company, which operates under the name "EMD" in the United States and is a separate company from U.S.-based Merck, said Garijo and Jenkins will be based in Geneva and will report to president Stefan Oschmann.

Garijo previously worked for Sanofi, where he was SVP global operations for the European region, while Jenkins was SVP global medical for Bristol-Myers Squibb.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has named Helena Foulkes EVP and chief healthcare strategy and marketing officer. In the newly created role, Foulkes will bring together the company’s capabilities in enterprise branding, communications, community relations, charitable giving, healthcare-reform strategy, government relations and marketing into one integrated organization in an effort to deliver even better business results and stronger partnerships.