Content about Environment

February 28, 2012

The number of working people concerned about their weight is on the rise, according to a new study.

CHICAGO — The number of working people concerned about their weight is on the rise, according to a new study.

Results of a poll released Tuesday by ComPsych, a company that calls itself the world's largest provider of employee assistance programs, indicated that 43% of employees cited weight loss as their primary health concern, a number that was 10% higher than in 2011.

February 17, 2012

Outside of TV land and around the country, going local isn’t just a punch line for an evening comedy show or even a peculiarity of the weekend farmers market. It’s an increasingly popular merchandising strategy for retail chains.


In IFC’s hit comedy series “Portlandia,” there’s a sketch in which the two main characters order chicken in a restaurant. But they don’t just order: They ask which farm the chicken came from to make sure it’s sufficiently local and whether the chicken was raised according to their exacting standards. The waiter quickly responds with a portfolio featuring the chicken’s pre-mortem photograph, biography and name (“Collin”).


February 9, 2012

The Center for Reproductive Rights on Wednesday asked a federal court to reopen its 2005 lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration for imposing age restrictions on emergency contraceptive drugs.

NEW YORK — The Center for Reproductive Rights on Wednesday asked a federal court to reopen its 2005 lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration for imposing age restrictions on emergency contraceptive drugs. Presently, emergency contraceptives, like Plan B One Step, are available behind a pharmacy counter for women 17 years and older but require a prescription for women under the age of 17 years.

February 8, 2012

CVS/pharmacy announced on Wednesday the launch of Project Health (Proyecto Salud in Spanish), a wellness program delivering more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy announced on Wednesday the launch of Project Health (Proyecto Salud in Spanish), a wellness program delivering more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities.

February 7, 2012

A drug under development by Merck "significantly" reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in patients, according to clinical trial results announced Tuesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A drug under development by Merck "significantly" reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in patients, according to clinical trial results announced Tuesday.

February 6, 2012

In honor of American Heart Month, Sam's Club announced it will be hosting free heart health screenings on Feb. 11 at all locations with a pharmacy.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In honor of American Heart Month, Sam's Club announced it will be hosting free heart health screenings on Feb. 11 at all locations with a pharmacy.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., members and guests can receive total cholesterol, HDL, glucose, body mass index and blood-pressure tests for free. During the screenings, Sam's Club pharmacies also will offer free samples of related items, the company said.

February 2, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.

January 27, 2012

The news that MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to protect their children and themselves by getting the proper vaccination is important as it not only addresses a serious health concern, but also underscores the valuable role that retail-based health clinics can play in health care.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to protect their children and themselves by getting the proper vaccination is important as it not only addresses a serious health concern, but also underscores the valuable role that retail-based health clinics can play in health care.

(THE NEWS: MinuteClinic urges vaccination as pertussis cases rise in 2012. For the full story, click here)

January 23, 2012

Weis Markets on Monday announced it has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that will help the grocer assess the environmental impact and energy efficiency of the trucks supplying its 161 stores.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday announced it has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that will help the grocer assess the environmental impact and energy efficiency of the trucks supplying its 161 stores.

January 20, 2012

Sam's Club is set to open its newly relocated store in Baton Rouge, La., on Jan. 26.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Sam's Club is set to open its newly relocated store in Baton Rouge, La., on Jan. 26.

The 134,000-sq.-ft. club, located at 9598 Cortana Place near the junction with Airline Highway, now will be part of the Cortana Mall shopping area, approximately one mile south of its former location. The club also features environmentally friendly materials and LED energy-efficient fixtures.

To celebrate the grand opening, the store will host a Louisiana-pride themed ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. on Jan. 26.

December 7, 2011

Helen of Troy has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all assets of Procter & Gamble's water purification brand.

EL PASO, Texas — Helen of Troy has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all assets of Procter & Gamble's water purification brand.

The acquisition of P&G's Pur Water Purification Products company includes the worldwide Pur trademark, its current and future product line, assets related to the operations of the Pur business, manufacturing equipment and more than 200 patents. Pur's products, which include faucet mount systems and filters, pitcher systems and filters, as well as refrigerator filters, are sold throughout the United States.

November 30, 2011

A new survey from Dannon released Wednesday revealed that Americans are more familiar than ever with probiotics.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A new survey from Dannon released Wednesday revealed that Americans are more familiar than ever with probiotics.

November 28, 2011

The National Committee for Quality Assurance on Monday named Jeffrey Kang, Walgreens SVP pharmacy, health and wellness services and solutions, to its board.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The National Committee for Quality Assurance on Monday named Jeffrey Kang, Walgreens SVP pharmacy, health and wellness services and solutions, to its board.

NCQA is a private nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. The group also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care, the committee stated.

November 23, 2011

Facebook wars happen all the time, but it's not often that drug manufacturers duke it out online.

NEW YORK — Facebook wars happen all the time, but it's not often that drug manufacturers duke it out online.

October 31, 2011

President Barack Obama issued an executive order Monday to address the growing problem of drug shortages.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama issued an executive order Monday to address the growing problem of drug shortages.

October 21, 2011

Walgreens and Novo Nordisk are working with Sharps Compliance to offer Sharps' Complete Needle Collection & Disposal System for customers who use injectable drugs.

HOUSTON — Walgreens and Novo Nordisk are working with Sharps Compliance to offer Sharps' Complete Needle Collection & Disposal System for customers who use injectable drugs.

October 19, 2011

The Drug Store News Group editor Rob Eder moderated a special Congressional briefing hosted by the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists on Sept. 27 for U.S. House of Representatives staffers.


WASHINGTON — The Drug Store News Group editor Rob Eder moderated a special Congressional briefing hosted by the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists on Sept. 27 for U.S. House of Representatives staffers.


Eder, who presented on current retail trends in homeopathic remedy sales, Americans’ growing interest in self-care and implications for U.S. health care, also moderated a panel discussion of experts, including AAHP president Mark Land and legal counsel Al Lorman, as well as Wayne Jonas, president and CEO of 
Samueli Institute.


October 19, 2011

Armada Health Care announced that its annual Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit will feature Karl Rove and Robert Gibbs as keynote speakers.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Armada Health Care announced that its annual Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit will feature Karl Rove and Robert Gibbs as keynote speakers.

Slated to speak at the conference's general session, Rove and Gibbs will participate in a moderated discussion on such topics as current U.S. healthcare legislation, the economy and the 2012 presidential election.

October 19, 2011

An amendment to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would prohibit the FDA from preventing an individual not in the business of importing a prescription drug from importing prescription drugs from Canada, has sparked concern with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An amendment to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would prohibit the FDA from preventing an individual not in the business of importing a prescription drug from importing prescription drugs from Canada, has sparked concern with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

October 17, 2011

Food Lion announced that two of its stores in Fayetteville, N.C., have earned LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced that two of its stores in Fayetteville, N.C., have earned LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The supermarket chain said the stores feature such environmentally friendly construction and energy-efficient services as an on-site recycling center, an educational kiosk and preferred parking for carpool vehicles.

October 12, 2011

Wrapping up its 113th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition, the National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday outlined the association's key initiatives and programs heading into 2012.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Wrapping up its 113th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition, the National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday outlined the association's key initiatives and programs heading into 2012. Chief among the association's concerns are threats to already-diminutive reimbursement rates for prescriptions filled, including the release of federal upper limits by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

October 11, 2011

Bazi International on Tuesday launched its energy shot Bazi, which contains a blend of eight superfruits.

DENVER — Bazi International on Tuesday launched its energy shot Bazi, which contains a blend of eight superfruits.  

According to the company, only 3-out-of-10 consumers have tried energy shots or drinks. Some of the key barriers of entry include health and safety concerns and an underlying belief that the shots are not good for you.

October 11, 2011

The debate on the prescription status of pseudoephedrine in the state of Kentucky heated up last week as the deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Benjamin Tucker on Wednesday told Kentucky lawmakers that they should mandate PSE to Rx-only status, according to reports.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The debate on the prescription status of pseudoephedrine in the state of Kentucky heated up last week as the deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Benjamin Tucker on Wednesday told Kentucky lawmakers that they should mandate PSE to Rx-only status, according to reports.

Tucker last week was the keynote speaker at the Kentucky Drug Summit, part of the Kentucky League of Cities annual convention, and headlined a panel of federal, state and local experts to examine pill mills, meth labs and prescription drug abuse.

October 6, 2011

Merck chairman Richard Clark is retiring, the company said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck chairman Richard Clark is retiring, the company said Thursday.

Merck announced that Clark, who remained chairman of the company after stepping down as president and CEO in 2010, would retire from the company and its board of directors as of Dec. 1. Kenneth Frazier took over as president and CEO in January 2011, and the board has elected him to serve as chairman following Clark's departure.

October 5, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Merck and Ariad Pharmaceuticals for a new drug to treat soft-tissue and bone cancers, the drug makers said Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Merck and Ariad Pharmaceuticals for a new drug to treat soft-tissue and bone cancers, the drug makers said Wednesday.

The FDA is expected to complete its review of ridaforolimus for soft-tissue and bone sarcomas in patients who have shown a favorable response to chemotherapy by second quarter 2012.

Sarcomas are cancers of the body's connective tissues, and treatment options remain limited, the companies said.