Content about Company Labor Issues

April 25, 2013
Cardinal Health, McKesson renew pharmaceutical distribution agreements with CVS Caremark

Cardinal Health and McKesson separately announced the renewal of their pharmaceutical distribution agreements with CVS Caremark.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health and McKesson separately announced the renewal of their pharmaceutical distribution agreements with CVS Caremark.

Under Cardinal Health’s renewed agreement, the wholesaler stated that it will supply pharmaceuticals to a network of CVS Caremark's retail pharmacies and distribution centers through mid-2016. The stores and distribution centers serviced under the new arrangement are essentially the same as those serviced in the prior arrangement.

March 19, 2013
Walgreens, Alliance Boots announce blockbuster partnership with AmerisourceBergen

Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced Tuesday as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler. Walgreens will begin sourcing generic medicines from AmerisourceBergen beginning in the calendar year 2014.  

January 18, 2013
CVS Caremark, UFCW announce cooperation agreement in 500 stores

CVS Caremark and the United Food & Commercial Workers have announced that they have signed a cooperation agreement giving CVS/pharmacy employees at approximately 500 stores in the metropolitan Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego areas the opportunity to vote on whether or not they want to be represented by the union.

WOONSOCKET, RI and WASHINGTON, D.C. — CVS Caremark and the United Food & Commercial Workers have announced that they have signed a cooperation agreement giving CVS/pharmacy employees at approximately 500 stores in the metropolitan Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego areas the opportunity to vote on whether or not they want to be represented by the union.  

November 14, 2012
CSPN, Dara BioSciences enter distribution contract for breast cancer drug

The Community Specialty Pharmacy Network has entered a contract with Dara BioSciences to distribute a nonsteroidal anti-estrogen product.

DREXEL HILL, Pa. — The Community Specialty Pharmacy Network has entered a contract with Dara BioSciences to distribute a nonsteroidal anti-estrogen product.

CSPN announced the agreement with Dara to distribute Soltamox (tamoxifen) solution for oral administration. The drug, a treatment for breast cancer, is for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills.

October 15, 2012
NASA, Epiomed Therapeutics partner on development of scopolamine nasal spray

NASA's Johnson Space Center and Epiomed Therapeutics have signed an agreement to develop and commercialize a NASA-crafted, fast-acting nasal spray to fight motion sickness.

HOUSTON — NASA's Johnson Space Center and Epiomed Therapeutics have signed an agreement to develop and commercialize a NASA-crafted, fast-acting nasal spray to fight motion sickness. 

April 26, 2012
Shadow Beverages launches 14-SKU GNC-branded sports nutrition RTDs

Shadow Beverages and GNC on Thursday launched a ready-to-drink GNC beverage line now available across Arizona and Nevada store locations.

PHOENIX — Shadow Beverages and GNC on Thursday launched a ready-to-drink GNC beverage line now available across Arizona and Nevada store locations.

The new GNC line consists of 14 beverages featuring scientifically advanced nutrition across the sports nutrition, nutritional waters and protein nutrition categories. It includes "extreme performance" drinks designed for the experienced athlete and "active" beverages formulated to meet the hydration and metabolic needs of everyday fitness enthusiasts.
 

March 30, 2012
Daiichi Sankyo, NGM to develop diabetes drugs

Daiichi Sankyo and NGM Biopharmaceuticals said they signed a research and licensing agreement to develop treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The drugs would work by reviving beta cells, the decline of which contributes to the disease.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Daiichi Sankyo and NGM Biopharmaceuticals said they signed a research and licensing agreement to develop treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The drugs would work by reviving beta cells, the decline of which contributes to the disease.

December 16, 2011
San Francisco Federal Credit Union to place branded ATMs in Bay-area Walgreens

The San Francisco Federal Credit Union on Friday announced an agreement with Welch ATM to allow its members surcharge-free usage of cash-dispensing ATMs in more than 500 Walgreens locations across California.

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Federal Credit Union on Friday announced an agreement with Welch ATM to allow its members surcharge-free usage of cash-dispensing ATMs in more than 500 Walgreens locations across California. Under the agreement, the ATMs will carry the credit union's brand at selected locations throughout San Francisco.

December 5, 2011
A&P takes key step toward completing financial restructuring

Bankrupt grocer A&P has announced that the Locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union have ratified modifications to the collective bargaining agreements with the company — a key step toward completing the company’s financial restructuring.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P has announced that the Locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union have ratified modifications to the collective bargaining agreements with the company — a key step toward completing the company’s financial restructuring.

November 10, 2011
Signum, GSK enter collaborative agreement

Biotechnology company Signum Biosciences has entered a collaborative agreement with GlaxoSmithKline whereby GSK will receive the exclusive right to Signum's proprietary phosphatase screening technology.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Biotechnology company Signum Biosciences has entered a collaborative agreement with GlaxoSmithKline whereby GSK will receive the exclusive right to Signum's proprietary phosphatase screening technology.

November 3, 2011
Kroger, DSI extend agreement

An in-store magazine merchandising and marketing company has signed a new front-end checkout reset agreement with Kroger.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — An in-store magazine merchandising and marketing company has signed a new front-end checkout reset agreement with Kroger.

Distribution Services said it will continue providing installation services for Kroger's front-end checkout fixture initiatives through December 2012. DSI has provided full front-end merchandiser reset services to Kroger for the past six years.

October 6, 2011
Merck KGaA, Ono sign agreement for oral MS, cancer drugs

German drug maker Merck KGaA will collaborate with Japanese drug maker Ono Pharmaceutical to develop oral therapies for cancer and multiple sclerosis, Merck KGaA said.

DARMSTADT, Germany — German drug maker Merck KGaA will collaborate with Japanese drug maker Ono Pharmaceutical to develop oral therapies for cancer and multiple sclerosis, Merck KGaA said.

October 4, 2011
FDA commits to retail food safety

The Food and Drug Administration has launched an initiative that is designed to assure the safety of food sold at retail.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has launched an initiative that is designed to assure the safety of food sold at retail.

The Retail Food Safety Action Plan is designed to improve the way managers of food establishments (i.e., food stores, restaurants, schools and other foodservice opertaions) conduct food safety operations in their facilities and assure that personnel are trained on measures to keep food safe. Additionally, the initiative will expand the oversight of these establishments by federal, state and local public health agencies.

July 25, 2011
Walgreens goes digital with online greeting card service

PNI Digital Media on Monday announced an agreement with Walgreens to provide and operate an online stationery service for the Chicago-based pharmacy.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — PNI Digital Media on Monday announced an agreement with Walgreens to provide and operate an online stationery service for the Chicago-based pharmacy.

The service will allow Walgreens customers to create and customize unique cards, invitations and other printed material, including personalized photobooks and photo calendars, wedding invitations and business cards.

According to reports, the PNI Digital Media Platform reaches more than 14,000 retail locations around the world, 9,000 of which offer a one-hour pickup service.

March 24, 2011
Got OTC?

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association may not be painting pink Pepto-Bismol mustaches on a group of Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes as part of the new campaign it plans to fully unveil in June, but the goal is more or less the same as the “Got Milk?” ads.

“Got milk?” has become ubiquitous. There is 100% clarity of message. The milk mustache says it all: Milk is an essential food and an integral part of a healthy diet; it HAS TO BE in your refrigerator, on your breakfast table and in your lunch box.

March 4, 2011
Family Dollar rejects takeover bid, boosts private-label efforts

Family Dollar on Thursday said "no thanks" to an active investor's takeover bid.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar on Thursday said "no thanks" to an active investor's takeover bid.

The discount retailer said the buyout offer of $55 to $60 per share, made by Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund, "undervalued" the company. Family Dollar did, however, strike a deal with Marketing Management to help boost its private-label efforts.

Through this strategic alliance, MMI will help Family Dollar with such private-label issues as sourcing, product development, category analytics, assortment strategy, quality assurance and customer insights.

February 24, 2011
Humana's PBM division enters agreement with AmerisourceBergen

Humana Pharmacy Solutions, Humana’s pharmacy benefit management division, on Thursday announced it has selected AmerisourceBergen as Humana’s primary wholesaler for drug purchasing.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana Pharmacy Solutions, Humana’s pharmacy benefit management division, on Thursday announced it has selected AmerisourceBergen as Humana’s primary wholesaler for drug purchasing.

“With this agreement, we’ll be able to offer members and employers access to more cost-effective generic versions of clinically proven and popular brand-name drugs,” stated William Fleming, VP Humana Pharmacy Solutions.

The five-year agreement takes effect May 1.

January 10, 2011
SAS, Winn-Dixie enter partnership

SAS on Monday announced a five-year agreement with Winn-Dixie Stores around the company’s marketing and merchandising analytics offering.

NEW YORK — SAS on Monday announced a five-year agreement with Winn-Dixie Stores around the company’s marketing and merchandising analytics offering.

“We chose SAS because of [its] strong commitment to retail and analytical excellence,” stated Maura Hart, Winn-Dixie’s CIO. “This partnership will enhance our customers’ shopping experience with the implementation of SAS’ technology and resources to provide improvements in pricing, assortment and category management.”

December 10, 2010
Will Mullany's noncompete agreement undo CVS' succession plan?

CVS Caremark made headlines when it announced late in the day on Dec. 3 that former Walmart executive Hank Mullany had been named president of CVS/pharmacy. However, the wires were soon abuzz with news that Walmart had filed a lawsuit against CVS to block the hiring of Mullany.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — CVS Caremark made headlines when it announced late in the day on Dec. 3 that former Walmart executive Hank Mullany had been named president of CVS/pharmacy. However, the wires were soon abuzz with news that Walmart had filed a lawsuit against CVS to block the hiring of Mullany.

December 7, 2010
Kroger, Safeway strike back against Walmart/Humana Part D drug plan

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Could the economy and the bare-knuckles competition that now defines pharmacy retailing lower the price bar even further for widely used generic drugs? It’s already happening.


September 22, 2010
FDA to allow GSK’s Avandia, with restrictions

The Food and Drug Administration has moved to significantly restrict access to a controversial diabetes...

SILVER SPRING, Md. The Food and Drug Administration has moved to significantly restrict access to a controversial diabetes drug made by GlaxoSmithKline.

The agency said Thursday that it would restrict access to the Type 2 diabetes medication Avandia (rosiglitazone) in response to clinical study data suggesting that its use can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

May 18, 2010
NCPA praises CMS' pursuit of Medicare Part D payments from insurer

Following an industry group's collection of Medicare payment complaints, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid...

February 28, 2010
11th Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit

Q: Has the current STATE OF THE ECONOMY caused you to re-evaluate your business, perhaps...