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March 15, 2011
Pradaxa added to CVS Caremark's, Medco's commercial preferred drug lists

A drug used to prevent stroke in patients with a form of atrial fibrillation has won preferred Tier 2 formulary status with pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and CVS Caremark.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — A drug used to prevent stroke in patients with a form of atrial fibrillation has won preferred Tier 2 formulary status with pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and CVS Caremark.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals announced Monday that CVS Caremark and Medco had added Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules to their commercial preferred drug lists, and Medco had added the drug to its Part D drug list.

March 14, 2011
AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour rides again

Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will embark on another 10-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will embark on another 10-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests.

March 14, 2011
Express Scripts reaches smart-phone users with new app

Patients with smart phones using pharmacy benefits served by Express Scripts can access their accounts through a new application launched Monday, the PBM said.

ST. LOUIS — Patients with smart phones using pharmacy benefits served by Express Scripts can access their accounts through a new application launched Monday, the PBM said.

March 14, 2011
Walgreens doesn't need PBM to keep it at top

A lot was made of Walgreens' sale of its pharmacy benefit management business to focus on its stores and the other parts of its business, with some analysts and pundits suggesting CVS should or might soon follow suit. Whether or not CVS Caremark decides to do the same remains to be seen, but it certainly isn't the foregone conclusion some have suggested it might be.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A lot was made of Walgreens' sale of its pharmacy benefit management business to focus on its stores and the other parts of its business, with some analysts and pundits suggesting CVS should or might soon follow suit. Whether or not CVS Caremark decides to do the same remains to be seen, but it certainly isn't the foregone conclusion some have suggested it might be.

March 11, 2011
GSK, Tolerx's late-stage trial for otelixizumab doesn't meet endpoints

A late-stage trial of a biologic treatment for Type 1 diabetes appears to have failed, according to results announced Friday.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A late-stage trial of a biologic treatment for Type 1 diabetes appears to have failed, according to results announced Friday.

March 11, 2011
Kroger's board of directors OKs quarterly dividend

Kroger's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share, the same payout amount as January.

CINCINNATI — Kroger's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share, the same payout amount as January.

The dividend will be paid June 1 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 16.

March 10, 2011
'Wubbzy to the Rescue' coming to DVD

Anchor Bay Entertainment has released its latest "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy" DVD title.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Anchor Bay Entertainment has released its latest "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy" DVD title.

"Wubbzy to the Rescue" features a collection of six episodes filled with age-appropriate lessons about sharing, caring and being yourself.

The DVD is slated for release on May 3 for a suggested retail price of $16.98, and will be available at retailers nationwide.

March 10, 2011
Anchor Bay, Well-Pict team for cross promotion

Anchor Bay Entertainment and Well-Pict Berries have announced a cross-promotional campaign, in which fans of the "Chuggington" series can get on board with healthy eating.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Anchor Bay Entertainment and Well-Pict Berries have announced a cross-promotional campaign, in which fans of the "Chuggington" series can get on board with healthy eating.

March 10, 2011
P&G shuffles executives

Shortly after the announcement that the president of its global hair care business was leaving for a chief executive role at Sephora, Procter & Gamble announced additional organizational changes.

CINCINNATI — Shortly after the announcement that the president of its global hair care business was leaving for a chief executive role at Sephora, Procter & Gamble announced additional organizational changes.

R. Keith Harrison, P&G's global product supply officer, will retire Sept. 1, after more than 41 years of service. Harrison will serve as officer on special assignment, reporting to Bob McDonald, chairman, president and CEO.

March 10, 2011
Sam's Club pushes eValues

Through March 13, Sam's Club is offering an eValues trial to its advantage and business members.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Through March 13, Sam's Club is offering an eValues trial to its advantage and business members.

According to the company, the eValues program is an exclusive program that delivers tailored offers to consumers based on unique shopping patterns. The trial program will enable all Sam's Club members to receive a benefit usually afforded only to members with Sam's Club Plus.

March 9, 2011
CVS Caremark declares quarterly dividend

CVS Caremark's board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per share.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per share.

The dividend is payable May 3 to holders of record on April 22, the company noted.

March 9, 2011
P&G's Christopher de Lapuente heads to Sephora

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 9, 2011
Prestige preparing big pediatric cough-cold splash

You can expect to see quite a bit of co-promotional activity between PediaCare and Little Remedies in the 2011-2012 cough-cold season, Prestige Brands president and CEO Matthew Mannelly told investors Wednesday morning at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer Conference held here.

NEW YORK — You can expect to see quite a bit of co-promotional activity between PediaCare and Little Remedies in the 2011-2012 cough-cold season, Prestige Brands president and CEO Matthew Mannelly told investors Wednesday morning at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer Conference held here.

March 9, 2011
Publix declares annual dividend

Publix's board of directors has approved an annual cash dividend of common stock, which will be payable and mailed June 1.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix's board of directors has approved an annual cash dividend of common stock, which will be payable and mailed June 1.

The 2011 dividend is 53 cents per share and will be paid to stockholders of record as of the close of business on Apr. 29.

Publix, based in Lakeland, Fla., operates more than 1,000 stores and had 2010 sales of $25.1 billion.

March 9, 2011
Survey: NACo Rx discount cardholders save bundles

Patients that participated in a prescription discount card program created by the National Association of Counties saved more than $107 million on their medications in 2010, a new survey released by CVS Caremark and NACo found.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., and WASHINGTON —  Patients that participated in a prescription discount card program created by the National Association of Counties saved more than $107 million on their medications in 2010, a new survey released by CVS Caremark and NACo found.

What's more, CVS Caremark and NACo noted, the average discount per prescription was about 24%.

March 8, 2011
At investor conference, Safeway outlines dividend plan

Safeway on Tuesday said that it expects to earn $1.60 to $1.80 per diluted share during the quarter, after the company's board approved a $1.1 billion dividend from Canada to the United States.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Tuesday said that it expects to earn $1.60 to $1.80 per diluted share during the quarter, after the company's board approved a $1.1 billion dividend from Canada to the United States.

The dividend, Safeway said during its 2011 investor conference, will be used to pay off $600 million of U.S. debt, and the company will use the remainder of the dividend for share repurchases.

March 7, 2011
Actavis names OTC director

Actavis last week named Lisa Buono to lead its over-the-counter drug division as part of the company’s strategic expansion of the division.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Actavis last week named Lisa Buono to lead its over-the-counter drug division as part of the company’s strategic expansion of the division.

As director of OTC, Buono will oversee the division’s day-to-day operations and will focus on identifying and capitalizing on new product opportunities. Actavis manufactures and distributes numerous nonprescription liquids, creams and ointments sold under the Actavis label and its customers’ own brands, as well as FeverAll brand acetaminophen suppositories.

March 7, 2011
Harmons helps consumers find 'Healthy Living Solutions'

One chain that exemplifies experimentation and innovation in health-and-wellness programs is Harmons, which operates 13 stores in the Salt Lake City area.

In 1999, the family-owned company unveiled Healthy Living Solutions. Originally a store-within-a-store concept, the department featured natural and organic products, with the pharmacy manager in charge of the department.

March 4, 2011
Innovation’s PharmAssist Symphony system achieves Microsoft certification

Innovation’s PharmAssist Symphony pharmacy workflow system has received certification from Microsoft for applications running on Windows Server 2008 R2, Innovation said Friday.

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. — Innovation’s PharmAssist Symphony pharmacy workflow system has received certification from Microsoft for applications running on Windows Server 2008 R2, Innovation said Friday.

The pharmacy automation company said the system was independently tested to meet the software giant’s standards for security, stability, availability, reliability and compatibility with the operating system.

The company said the certification built on its Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program.

March 4, 2011
MTM can save lives; retailers, suppliers take notice

Walgreens’ winning of an award for its MTM services came right before it joined the Care Continuum Alliance — a group of more than 200 stakeholders that provide such services as wellness and prevention programs and management of chronic conditions — of which CVS Caremark already was a member.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walgreens’ winning of an award for its MTM services came right before it joined the Care Continuum Alliance — a group of more than 200 stakeholders that provide such services as wellness and prevention programs and management of chronic conditions — of which CVS Caremark already was a member.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens takes top honors for MTM services. For the full story, click here)

March 4, 2011
ProPhase gets personal with donation to AHA

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — ProPhase Labs last month created a Facebook personality quiz to benefit the American Heart Association. For each Facebook fan who takes the “What’s Your Cold-Eeze Flavor?” personality quiz, ProPhase will donate $1 to the AHA, up to a total of $2,500.

March 4, 2011
Variety of ethnic flavors spice up sales

American cuisine always has been influenced by the country’s diverse population. An expanding ethnic population and a proliferation of TV cooking shows have led to even greater interest in ethnic foods among American consumers.

American cuisine always has been influenced by the country’s diverse population. An expanding ethnic population and a proliferation of TV cooking shows have led to even greater interest in ethnic foods among American consumers.

Ethnic food sales are expected to increase 19% from 2010 to 2015, according to a recent report published by Mintel. The study revealed that 64% of U.S. households said that ethnic sauces, condiments and/or seasonings could be found in their kitchens.

March 4, 2011
Walmart raises dividend

Walmart said Thursday that it is increasing its annual dividend 21% on the back of strong earnings.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart said Thursday that it is increasing its annual dividend 21% on the back of strong earnings.

The retailer last month reported a 27% increase in fourth-quarter net income as it benefited from cost-cutting and strong international sales. Walmart said it will pay an annual dividend this year of $1.46, up from $1.21. It will pay quarterly dividends of 36.5 cents in April, June, September and January in fiscal 2012, which ends Jan. 31.

The next dividend will be paid on April 4 to shareholders of record on March 11.

March 3, 2011
ECRM presents awards to three suppliers

ECRM on Wednesday evening announced the Vendor Award recipients for its ECRM Cough & Cold and Allergy event, recognizing GOJO Industries for the “Most Prepared,” the Emerson Group for “Best Room” and Cobalis for “Best New Product.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — ECRM on Wednesday evening announced the Vendor Award recipients for its ECRM Cough & Cold and Allergy event held here, recognizing GOJO Industries for the “Most Prepared,” the Emerson Group for “Best Room” and Cobalis for “Best New Product.”

The awards, sponsored by The Drug Store News Group, represent a tally of retail buyer votes on each of the categories.

March 2, 2011
CVS Caremark to utilize ActiveHealth CareEngine for PBM customers

CVS Caremark has inked a three-year agreement with ActiveHealth Management, an independent subsidiary of Aetna, under which CVS Caremark will apply the evidence-based, clinical intelligence of the ActiveHealth CareEngine to healthcare claims for its PBM customers to identify opportunities for improved pharmacy care.

NEW YORK and WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has inked a three-year agreement with ActiveHealth Management, an independent subsidiary of Aetna, under which CVS Caremark will apply the evidence-based, clinical intelligence of the ActiveHealth CareEngine to healthcare claims for its PBM customers to identify opportunities for improved pharmacy care.

CVS Caremark will apply the CareEngine to more than 800,000 members beginning in April, with additional membership to be added as CVS Caremark consults with its PBM clients.