Content about Company Competitor

September 18, 2012

Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


NEW YORK — Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


September 18, 2012

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals.

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals — reducing costs for health plans, payers and patients; scrambling drug makers’ balance sheets; and potentially boosting both drug utilization and adherence rates as reduced out-of-pocket costs induce more patients to fill their prescriptions.


September 17, 2012

ProPhase Labs on Monday announced that it rejected an unsolicited, nonbinding proposal from Matrixx Initiatives to acquire the company for $1.40 per share in cash, subject to further due diligence by Matrixx.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — ProPhase Labs on Monday announced that it rejected an unsolicited, nonbinding proposal from Matrixx Initiatives to acquire the company for $1.40 per share in cash, subject to further due diligence by Matrixx.

ProPhase stock was up 20 cents to $1.39 in mid-afternoon trading.

Matrixx is the owner of the Zicam brand of cold and allergy products and is a direct competitor to ProPhase's Cold-Eeze Cold Remedy product line.

September 7, 2012

Perrigo is seeking regulatory approval for what it called the first generic version of a drug for treating bronchospasm.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo is seeking regulatory approval for what it called the first generic version of a drug for treating bronchospasm.

August 20, 2012

Bayer has been stepping up its game behind its Bayer Advanced Aspirin brand in an attempt to recreate its brand identity from a healthy heart supplement for people who’ve had a heart attack to what Bayer Aspirin had been in its heyday: the internal analgesic of choice.

Bayer has been stepping up its game behind its Bayer Advanced Aspirin brand in an attempt to recreate its brand identity from a healthy heart supplement for people who’ve had a heart attack to what Bayer Aspirin had been in its heyday: the internal analgesic of choice.

August 17, 2012

Procter & Gamble’s Prilosec OTC still is the best-selling antacid on the market, with more than $252.7 million in annual sales for the 52 weeks ended July 8 across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), followed by fellow proton-pump inhibitor Novartis’ Prevacid 24HR ($104.1 million).


Procter & Gamble’s Prilosec OTC still is the best-selling antacid on the market, with more than $252.7 million in annual sales for the 52 weeks ended July 8 across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), followed by fellow proton-pump inhibitor Novartis’ Prevacid 24HR ($104.1 million).


Both of those antacid heavy hitters are losing dollar share to their generic-
equivalent competitors, however, leaving GlaxoSmithKline’s venerable Tums brand as the largest growth brand within antacids ($91.3 million in sales, up 2.5%).


August 10, 2012

Albertsons Market has launched a month-long contest asking customers to share their “Best Road Trip. Ever!” through photos, videos and essays on Albertsons Markets’ Facebook fan page for a chance to win a new car.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Market has launched a month-long contest asking customers to share their “Best Road Trip. Ever!” through photos, videos and essays on Albertsons Markets’ Facebook fan page for a chance to win a new car.

July 30, 2012

Everybody loves a comeback story, and it looks as though the pharmacy retail industry has one of its own in the making as Rite Aid’s latest earnings report showed another strong quarter for the Camp Hill, Pa.-based chain, which has been steadily growing its sales and narrowing its losses for several quarters already.


Everybody loves a comeback story, and it looks as though the pharmacy retail industry has one of its own in the making as Rite Aid’s latest earnings report showed another strong quarter for the Camp Hill, Pa.-based chain, which has been steadily growing its sales and narrowing its losses for several quarters already.


July 23, 2012

So Walgreens and Express Scripts have buried the hatchet. The question is, can the nation’s top pharmacy retailer regain the billions of dollars in contracted prescription revenues it ceded to its competitors after the two sides severed relations in January? And, given the way Walgreens has adjusted and reset its growth strategy since then, does it matter that much?

So Walgreens and Express Scripts have buried the hatchet. The question is, can the nation’s top pharmacy retailer regain the billions of dollars in contracted prescription revenues it ceded to its competitors after the two sides severed relations in January? And, given the way Walgreens has adjusted and reset its growth strategy since then, does it matter that much?

July 12, 2012

Supervalu on Thursday announced a number of dramatic measures to stabilize its business — reduction in capital spending, suspension of the company's dividend, even the exploration of possible strategic alternatives — in conjunction with its declining first-quarter earnings results.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Thursday announced a number of dramatic measures to stabilize its business — reduction in capital spending, suspension of the company's dividend, even the exploration of possible strategic alternatives — in conjunction with its declining first-quarter earnings results.

July 6, 2012

The trend toward “narrow” pharmacy networks is expected to continue, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

NEW YORK — The trend toward “narrow” pharmacy networks is expected to continue, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Walgreens’ split from PBM giant Express Scripts — many of whose millions of plan members now are getting their prescriptions filled elsewhere after the two companies failed to come to terms over reimbursement rates — has opened the door for interest in networks that limit the number of drug stores available to pharmacy-benefit customers, the WSJ reported.

June 28, 2012

Mylan is challenging the patent protection on a Pfizer drug for treating depression, following an announcement of a similar challenge by Watson made earlier this week.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan is challenging the patent protection on a Pfizer drug for treating depression, following an announcement of a similar challenge by Watson made earlier this week.

Mylan said it had filed for Food and Drug Administration approval of a generic version of Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate) extended-release tablets in the 50-mg and 100-mg strengths.

June 26, 2012

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on an antidepressant made by Pfizer, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on an antidepressant made by Pfizer, the company said.

Watson filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for desvenlafaxine succinate extended-release tablets in the 50-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Pristiq.

June 25, 2012

Is Walgreens’ decision to buy a major stake in European drug store giant Alliance Boots a good idea?

Is Walgreens’ decision to buy a major stake in European drug store giant Alliance Boots a good idea?

June 19, 2012

The NFL Players Association last week announced a new licensing relationship with TheraPearl, a consumer products company specializing in hot and cold pack technology.

WASHINGTON — The NFL Players Association last week announced a new licensing relationship with TheraPearl, a consumer products company specializing in hot and cold pack technology. TheraPearl’s products are designed to aid in post-workout recovery.

“Our products maximize targeted hot and cold therapy, and are uniquely designed for athletes and athlete recovery," stated Daniel Baumwald, president of TheraPearl.

June 1, 2012

WebMD has tapped Pfizer's group president of animal health, consumer health care and corporate strategy to serve as its new chief executive.

NEW YORK — WebMD has tapped Pfizer's group president of animal health, consumer health care and corporate strategy to serve as its new chief executive.

Cavan Redmond was appointed CEO of WebMD, as well as a member of the company's board of directors on Thursday. He brings to his new role more than 20 years of healthcare experience, encompassing a broad range of global healthcare businesses, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, consumer health care and infant nutritionals.

May 15, 2012

Pfizer apparently is relenting on its attempt to drive sales of its top cholesterol drug as several new generic versions look set to enter the market, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pfizer apparently is relenting on its attempt to drive sales of its top cholesterol drug as several new generic versions look set to enter the market, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that Pfizer was "quietly" giving up on the drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) after an $87 million campaign to continue marketing the drug despite generic competition.

May 15, 2012

The president of Shoppers Food and Pharmacy will transition to a new role, parent company Supervalu announced Tuesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — The president of Shoppers Food and Pharmacy will transition to a new role, parent company Supervalu announced Tuesday.

May 2, 2012

CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo told analysts Wednesday morning that he was “very pleased” with the company's first quarter, as results across both the retail and pharmacy benefit management segments came in at the high end of expectations, and its integrated assets continue to demonstrate success and improve patient lives.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo told analysts Wednesday morning that he was “very pleased” with the company's first quarter, as results across both the retail and pharmacy benefit management segments came in at the high end of expectations, and its integrated assets continue to demonstrate success and improve patient lives.

April 9, 2012

Sensible Organics, a maker of organic personal care products and one of the first beauty care companies to receive the U.S. Department of Agriculture national organic certification, has announced that it will launch its Nourish Organic Food for Healthy Skin brand at Whole Foods stores nationwide.

AUSTIN, Texas — Sensible Organics, a maker of organic personal care products and one of the first beauty care companies to receive the U.S. Department of Agriculture national organic certification, has announced that it will launch its Nourish Organic Food for Healthy Skin brand at Whole Foods stores nationwide.


Nourish is among the first personal care brands to offer 100% USDA certified organic formulations offered in distinctive scents made of The Nourish collection scents include fresh fig, almond vanilla, lavender mint and wild berries. 


April 2, 2012

With more than 4 billion steps logged by Walk with Walgreens participants in the program’s first year, Walgreens on Sunday night teamed with Donald Trump and "The Celebrity Apprentice" to promote more healthy steps in 2012.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With more than 4 billion steps logged by Walk with Walgreens participants in the program’s first year, Walgreens on Sunday night teamed with Donald Trump and "The Celebrity Apprentice" to promote more healthy steps in 2012. Walk with Walgreens also partnered with the Magic Johnson Foundation on Monday behind a national campaign where Walgreens retail locations will be selling a commemorative charity bracelet with $2 from each purchase benefitting the Magic Johnson Foundation.

March 19, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on a drug made by Abbott for treating cholesterol, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on a drug made by Abbott for treating cholesterol, the company said.

Watson, through a subsidiary, filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of niacin extended-release tablets in the 500-mg and 1,000-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Abbott's Niaspan.

February 29, 2012

Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping at its stores.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping at its stores.

February 15, 2012

Managed care and prescription plans are working to switch patients to generic versions of Pfizer's Lipitor despite the drug maker's efforts to reduce costs for the branded version, a new study suggested.

PHOENIX — Managed care and prescription plans are working to switch patients to generic versions of Pfizer's Lipitor despite the drug maker's efforts to reduce costs for the branded version, a new study suggested.

According to a report released Wednesday by Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solutions' inThought research group, while Lipitor (atorvastatin) has 41% of the market share of all dispensed prescriptions of atorvastatin, it has 35% of the payer approval volume.

February 13, 2012

Walgreens on Friday launched @WAGSocialCare, a Twitter customer hotline that takes on complaints and praise from Walgreens customers via the social media site.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday launched @WAGSocialCare, a Twitter customer hotline that takes on complaints and praise from Walgreens customers via the social media site. The site is being followed only by 20 "tweeters" through Monday, as compared with the more-than 90,000 who follow Walgreens' corporate Twitter account.