Content about Economy of the United States

There is perhaps no greater value in the OTC space than having a friendly face guide you to the health information you need — when you are physically in the store. That value will resonate even more with consumers once they realize that the guide is a dedicated position who is there to help them access health information at the shelf with the Drug Facts Label or through a Web-enabled tablet. And when that interaction graduates from providing direction to requiring an actual consultation, the OTC health guide can serve as a bridge to the pharmacist.

It's official. During its most recent quarterly conference call with analysts, CVS Caremark revealed what many had anticipated: Its acquisition of privately held Brazilian drug store chain Drogaria Onofre was complete.

The move is not financially material to CVS Caremark, but it does mark its first foray into the international drug store space. The 44-store chain is the eighth-largest drug store chain in Brazil and, according to published reports, posted gross revenue of R$1.2 billion (Brazilian reals) in 2011.

Walmart last fall partnered with HumanaVitality on the Vitality Healthy Food program, where members earn Vitality Points for getting active, losing weight and eating healthier. Those Vitality Points can be redeemed on more than 600,000 rewards, including movie tickets and merchandise.

As part of that, HumanaVitality members have been given a card that collects 5% in savings for select products featuring Walmart's "Great for You" icon. The savings can be applied to a future Walmart visit.

DALLAS — Burgeoning manufacturing company Accelerated Manufacturing Solutions is anticipating an exciting year ahead as it celebrates two key achievements: the launch of its new brand of soft cosmetic bags and travel cases, which has already gained distribution at Walmart, and being awarded the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council certification for woman-owned businesses.

LOS ANGELES — Tea of a Kind, a tea beverage company, announced today a wide distribution expansion into retail pharmacies, grocery stores and supermarkets in Northern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and more.

The product, which recently won Best Ready-to-Drink Tea Beverage at the 2012 Interbev Awards in Las Vegas, utilizes a "Gizmo Closure and Delivery System," a cap technology, which holds fresh, functional ingredients in a nitrogen pressurized chamber until the point of consumption, the company stated.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson's sales increased by 8.5% to $17.5 billion in first quarter 2013, the healthcare products company said Tuesday.

The increase included a domestic sales increase of 11.2%. Profits for the quarter were $3.5 billion.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club offered free oral care and health screening events at all 564 of its stores that have pharmacies, the club retailer said.

Sam's Club, owned by Walmart, said the events, which took place on Saturday, included non-invasive oral health questionnaires, dental tablets, glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure, body-mass index and vision tests.

According to WebMD, oral health issues are often identifiers of diabetes and heart disease.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has lowered its earnings expectations for first quarter 2013, the mass merchandise retailer said Tuesday.

The Minneapolis-based chain said it expected same-store sales growth in the quarter to be about flat over first quarter 2012 due to sales trends that have been weaker than expected, particularly in seasonal and weather-sensitive merchandise categories. As a result, earnings-per-share guidance is expected to be less than $1.10; the company's original guidance had stated earnings would be $1.10-$1.20 per share.

NEW YORK — If Kmart has proven anything, it's the transcendental power of potty humor. But at any rate, the mass merchandise retailer has garnered significant attention with its "Ship My Pants" ad, which has received close to 7.4 million views on YouTube and coverage in news outlets nationwide.

The ad is for a service the chain offers whereby customers who can't find what they're looking for in the store can order it online and have it shipped to them.

NEW YORK — The University of Utah's College of Pharmacy has opened a new research organization designed to encourage collaboration and interaction, according to published reports.

The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News reported on the opening of the L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Institute, a 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes open lab space.

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. — Cirrus Healthcare Products on Thursday announced that the company will be launching its latest licensed version of EarPlanes for Kids in conjunction with the new Disney "Planes" movie releasing on Aug. 9.  

EarPlanes, which comes in two sizes fitting either a child or an adult, are designed to be worn for air travel to reduce and prevent uncomfortable ear pressure during flight — including the clogging, popping, pain or even the temporary hearing loss that can result.