Content about Company Competitor

July 8, 2011

Novo Nordisk could be outpacing Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals in the diabetes wars, according to an analysis by healthcare market research firm Decision Resources.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Novo Nordisk could be outpacing Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals in the diabetes wars, according to an analysis by healthcare market research firm Decision Resources.

July 5, 2011


Yogurt and yogurt drinks have become a powerhouse category, with Greek-style yogurts boosting category sales. Mintel International Group estimated that category sales reached $4.4 billion across all three channels in 2010, and there is still room for growth.



Yogurt and yogurt drinks have become a powerhouse category, with Greek-style yogurts boosting category sales. Mintel International Group estimated that category sales reached $4.4 billion across all three channels in 2010, and there is still room for growth.


June 20, 2011

The overall growth in drug spending for 2010 was 3.7%, according to the latest drug trend report by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions. The lower increase 
was primarily due to higher rates of generic drug dispensing — more than 71% of drugs dispensed were generics. 


June 16, 2011

Just one month after filling in as the interim leader of chocolate giant Hershey, John Bilbrey officially took the reigns as president and CEO of the company.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Just one month after filling in as the interim leader of chocolate giant Hershey, John Bilbrey officially took the reigns as president and CEO of the company.

Bilbrey also was elected to Hershey's board of directors, Hershey said Wednesday. Bilbrey, who served as the company's EVP and COO until May, replaced David West, who left his post after 10 years to become the chief executive at Del Monte Foods.

June 16, 2011

Unilever's offer to shed some of its bar soap business to win United Kingdom competition approval for its acquisition of hair and personal care products manufacturer Alberto Culver was accepted by the U.K. Office of Fair Trading.

LONDON — Unilever's offer to shed some of its bar soap business to win United Kingdom competition approval for its acquisition of hair and personal care products manufacturer Alberto Culver was accepted by the U.K. Office of Fair Trading.

"Following a consultation, and having carefully assessed the financial position and commitment of the purchaser, Lornamead, we are satisfied that this divestment will ensure there continues to be effective competition in this market," said Ali Nikpay, OFT senior director for U.K. Office of Fair Trading.

June 3, 2011

Why is the news that CVS Caremark has secured the mail-order and specialty prescription drug benefit for Federal Employee Program so important? Well, some pundits might say there is no indication that the integrated retail-pharmacy benefit manager model had anything to do with why FEP chose Caremark over Medco. It doesn't matter. As any football coach would say, "A win's a win," and this is a big one.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Why is the news that CVS Caremark has secured the mail-order and specialty prescription drug benefit for Federal Employee Program so important? Well, some pundits might say there is no indication that the integrated retail-pharmacy benefit manager model had anything to do with why FEP chose Caremark over Medco. It doesn't matter. As any football coach would say, "A win's a win," and this is a big one.

May 17, 2011

J.M. Smucker said it has completed its acquisition of the coffee brands and business operations of Rowland Coffee Roasters, a privately owned, Miami-based company.

ORRVILLE, Ohio — J.M. Smucker said it has completed its acquisition of the coffee brands and business operations of Rowland Coffee Roasters, a privately owned, Miami-based company.

The company completed the $360 million transaction with cash on hand and borrowings under its existing credit facility. The transaction is expected to contribute approximately 5 cents per diluted common share to fiscal 2012 earnings, excluding one-time costs of the transaction, J.M. Smucker said.

May 2, 2011

Alberto Culver reported a 6.1% increase in its second-quarter net sales for the period ended March 31.

MELROSE PARK, Ill. — Alberto Culver reported a 6.1% increase in its second-quarter net sales for the period ended March 31.

The company that's behind such beauty care brands as Tresemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives, Simple and Noxzema said second-quarter net sales rose to $408.2 million from $384.8 million in the prior-year second quarter. On an organic basis, which excludes the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, sales increased 4.3% in the current quarter, led by high single-digit branded beauty care sales growth.

March 29, 2011

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to become the first to market a version of a popular opioid painkiller.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to become the first to market a version of a popular opioid painkiller.

Watson said it had filed applications with the Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for a generic version of Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin (oxycodone) extended-release tablets in the 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 60- and 80-mg strengths.

March 28, 2011

PepsiCo is launching its latest Propel drink with the same great taste and a pretty face.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo is launching its latest Propel drink with the same great taste and a pretty face; Cindy Crawford is representing Propel Zero, the zero-calorie, enhanced water with no artificial flavors and no heavy sweeteners, in the brand's new campaign that begins this week.

March 21, 2011

Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

March 9, 2011

The president of Procter & Gamble's global hair care business is taking on a new role at Sephora.

PARIS — The president of Procter & Gamble's global hair care business is taking on a new role at Sephora.

Effective March 31, Christopher de Lapuente will end his 28-year career at P&G to become the global president and CEO for beauty retailer Sephora, which is owned by luxury group LVMH. All regions worldwide will report to him. For European operations, de Lapuente succeeds Jacques Levy.

In addition to his responsibilities as global president and CEO for Sephora, de Lapuente also will be a member of LVMH's executive committee.

March 8, 2011

Nestle is looking to boost its coffee business.

VEVEY, Switzerland — Nestle is looking to boost its coffee business.

The company, which recently reported that its soluble coffee was a key growth driver during 2010 across all regions, said the combined performances of single-serve coffee brands Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto strengthened its leadership in the dynamic portioned coffee market. Nestle added that its Nespresso brand reached $3.24 billion in annual sales for the first time.

March 4, 2011

SUPPLIER NEWS — Impax Labs received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its generic version of a bacterial infection treatment. The drug maker said the FDA approved its 150-mg doxycycline monohydrate capsules, a drug used to treat bacterial infections and a generic version of Adoxa, made by Nycomed subsidiary PharmaDerm. The 150-mg strength of Adoxa had sales of about $25 million during the 12 months ended in December 2010, according to Wolters Kluwer.

February 7, 2011

Navarro Discount Pharmacies announced that its wholesale and export subsidiary, Magellan Distribution Solutions, has acquired the assets of Buxco Inc. and will be providing fulfillment solution services for the network of 150 independently owned retail pharmacies.

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacies announced that its wholesale and export subsidiary, Magellan Distribution Solutions, has acquired the assets of Buxco Inc. and will be providing fulfillment solution services for the network of 150 independently owned retail pharmacies.

"Growing our wholesale and export business through Magellan is part of Navarro's three-year expansion plan," stated Steve Kaczynski, CEO of Navarro Discount Pharmacies, which operates 28 stores in the Miami area.

February 3, 2011

Bayer HealthCare on Wednesday launched the Said/Heard Mishaps contest on its Alka-Seltzer Facebook page. The contest gives entrants the opportunity to trade those miscommunication experiences that may have caused some gastrointestinal distress for a chance to win $5,000.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare on Wednesday launched the Said/Heard Mishaps contest on its Alka-Seltzer Facebook page. The contest gives entrants the opportunity to trade those miscommunication experiences that may have caused some gastrointestinal distress for a chance to win $5,000.

February 1, 2011

NEW YORK — The U.S. healthcare system could get at least $70 billion in savings over the next four years thanks to loss of patent protection for branded drugs, according to published reports.


IMS Health SVP Murray Aitken said at the Reuters Health Summit that generics also would increase their dominance in terms of prescriptions dispensed, increasing from 77% during the first half of this year to perhaps 85% by 2014, Reuters reported.


February 1, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO — For some guys, it’s just in their blood. That’s definitely the case for Tim Canning — you can say he was born into this business.


Canning, 1-of-8 children of the late, great Fred Canning — who, as president and COO of Walgreens during the late ’70s and ’80s, led a major turnaround of the company — is no doubt making his father incredibly proud these days, as he leads McKesson’s 2,700-plus-strong Health Mart stores, the fastest-growing pharmacy franchise operation in America.


January 28, 2011

Pampers is expanding its Gifts to Grow program by teaming up with celebrity mom Bethenny Frankel.

CINCINNATI — Pampers is expanding its Gifts to Grow program by teaming up with celebrity mom Bethenny Frankel.

Pampers Gifts to Grow is designed to help parents save money on Pampers products. By submitting codes found inside select Pampers products at Pampers.com, consumers who purchase these items accrue points, which can be redeemed for such items as additional baby care products, educational toys, books, charity donations and more. Parents can save a bundle for their bundle of joy.

January 18, 2011

CVS Caremark has pulled the plug on its plan to hire former Walmart exec Hank Mullany, and is handing the keys to its retail business on an interim basis to Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, who will assume management for the company’s 7,100-plus stores.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has pulled the plug on its plan to hire former Walmart exec Hank Mullany, and is handing the keys to its retail business on an interim basis to Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, who will assume management for the company’s 7,100-plus stores.

Bloom and Baker, who will report to Larry Merlo, president and COO of CVS Caremark, are assuming these duties on an interim basis, pending the completion of the company's search for a new president of CVS/pharmacy.

January 17, 2011

Walgreens announced several executive appointments Monday, which included naming a former United Airlines executive to the post of chief customer experience officer.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced several executive appointments Monday, which included naming a former United Airlines executive to the post of chief customer experience officer.

January 5, 2011

ROGERS, Ark. — If the eyes are the window to the soul, then Walmart’s suppliers are the window to its future, thanks to the truly unique relationship the retailer enjoys with its trading partners. Walmart brought new meaning to the concept of collaboration when it pursued a strategy of data transparency decades ago that enabled fact-based decision-making. Suppliers embraced what, at the time, was a novel approach in the retail industry, and their support over the years facilitated Walmart’s expansion, sales growth for all concerned and low prices for consumers.


January 4, 2011

Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical has begun shipping its version of a treatment for heart rhythm problems, the company said Monday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical has begun shipping its version of a treatment for heart rhythm problems, the company said Monday.

Par announced the shipment of propafenone SR capsules, a treatment for atrial fibrillation in patients without structural heart disease.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Rhythmol SR, which has annual sales of around $121 million, according to IMS Health.

December 22, 2010

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Tuesday ruled that Procter & Gamble provided reasonable support for claims that Prilosec OTC provides “superior acid control” over a competing product, Prevacid 24HR. However, the NAD recommended P&G discontinue a comparative claim made in a context that doesn’t reference acid control, the review board added.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Tuesday ruled that Procter & Gamble provided reasonable support for claims that Prilosec OTC provides “superior acid control” over a competing product, Prevacid 24HR. However, the NAD recommended P&G discontinue a comparative claim made in a context that doesn’t reference acid control, the review board added.

P&G’s Prilosec OTC claims were challenged by Novartis Consumer Health, maker of Prevacid 24HR. Claims at issue included:

December 16, 2010

A Delaware judge granted Walmart's request for a preliminary injunction on Wednesday and has blocked — for now — CVS Caremark from hiring former Walmart executive Hank Mullany as president of CVS/pharmacy, according to published reports.

WILMINGTON, Del. — A Delaware judge granted Walmart's request for a preliminary injunction on Wednesday and has blocked — for now — CVS Caremark from hiring former Walmart executive Hank Mullany as president of CVS/pharmacy, according to published reports.

Vice chancellor J. Travis Laster scheduled a trial for early March.