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June 16, 2011
FDA approves Nulojix

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for preventing organ rejection in kidney transplant patients, the agency said Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for preventing organ rejection in kidney transplant patients, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA approved Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Nulojix (belatacept), for preventing acute rejection in adult patients. The drug is approved for use with other immune system-suppressing drugs, specifically Novartis’ Simulect (basiliximab), Genentech’s CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) and corticosteroids.

June 16, 2011
Genesis Today brings Wake Me, Relax Me to Walmart

Genesis Today has introduced two functional beverages exclusively at Walmart.

AUSTIN, Texas — Genesis Today has introduced two functional beverages exclusively at Walmart.

The company said that its Wake Me and Relax Me drinks are designed to help consumers respectively energize and relax in a healthy way.

Wake Me blends together vitamins and nutrients in a tangerine-orange juice and includes 500% daily value of vitamin B12, theanine, guarana seed and green tea leaf extract.

June 16, 2011
Kroger off to strong start with positive Q1

Kroger reported strong first-quarter results and marked 30 consecutive quarters in which identical-store sales increased, the supermarket retailer announced Thursday.

CINCINNATI — Kroger reported solid first-quarter results and marked 30 consecutive quarters in which identical-store sales increased, the supermarket retailer announced Thursday.

Kroger said that identical-store sales rose 4.6%, excluding fuel, to about $20.8 billion. Identical stores are defined as supermarkets open at least five quarters.

The company said its first-quarter revenue for the period ended May 21, including fuel, rose 11% to about $27.5 billion, compared with the year-ago period. Excluding fuel, total sales were 4.8% above last year.

June 16, 2011
ModiFace introduces 'ultimate' virtual makeover app

ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies and applications, announced on Thursday the launch of new virtual makeover technology for iPhones, iPads and Android phones/tablets.

NEW YORK — ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies and applications, announced on Thursday the launch of new virtual makeover technology for iPhones, iPads and Android phones/tablets.

June 16, 2011
PepsiCo donates $50K to National Association of Hispanic Journalists

PepsiCo has donated $50,000 to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists that will be used for scholarships and internships to support Latino students pursuing careers in communications, journalism and social media.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo has donated $50,000 to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists that will be used for scholarships and internships to support Latino students pursuing careers in communications, journalism and social media.

The food and beverage company's contribution to the NAHJ will benefit a total of 15 Hispanic students with scholarship and internship opportunities.

June 16, 2011
Report: EMR market to pass $6 billion mark by 2015

The market for electronic medical records in the United States may exceed $6 billion in value in five years, according to a new report by research firm MarketsandMarkets.

DALLAS — The market for electronic medical records in the United States may exceed $6 billion in value in five years, according to a new report by research firm MarketsandMarkets.

In the report, “U.S. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Market, 2010-2015 (Market Share, Winning Strategies and Adoption Trends),” released this month, the firm said that the market was expected to grow from $2.17 billion in 2009 to $6.05 billion in 2015.

June 16, 2011
Retail chiefs gather to discuss food deserts with Chicago mayor

The Windy City’s problem with food deserts is getting attention from the city’s mayor and some of the country’s top retailers, according to published reports.

CHICAGO — The Windy City’s problem with food deserts is getting attention from the city’s mayor and some of the country’s top retailers, according to published reports.

June 16, 2011
Rockin' Green's laundry detergent products to tout new scent, packaging

Rockin' Green has revamped its laundry detergent products inside and out.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Rockin' Green has revamped its laundry detergent products inside and out.

The company said that its Soft, Classic and Hard Rock formulas will feature a new scent and packaging. The company said it is replacing one of its original scents, called Plain Green Tea's, with a scent called Earth, Wind and Orchids. What's more, the standard packaging for the laundry detergents have been redesigned with a new look and also will use less material.

June 16, 2011
Sanofi, Audion enter research collaboration for hearing loss treatments

French drug maker Sanofi has entered a collaboration with Audion Therapeutics to develop treatments for hearing loss.

PARIS — French drug maker Sanofi has entered a collaboration with Audion Therapeutics to develop treatments for hearing loss.

Sanofi announced the collaboration Thursday, which will utilize technology that Audion co-founder Albert Edge developed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in the Eaton-Peabody Laboratory. Sanofi will have the option of licensing technology rights from Audion related to research conducted under the collaboration.

June 16, 2011
Shellpak blister packaging could boost medication adherence, study finds

Patients who used a calendar blister packaging system for their medications showed greater medication adherence than those using traditional vials, according to a new study published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics.

RICHMOND, Va. — Patients who used a calendar blister packaging system for their medications showed greater medication adherence than those using traditional vials, according to a new study published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics.

June 16, 2011
Stop & Shop raises funds for tornado victims in Massachusetts

Stop & Shop has commenced a fundraising campaign to benefit victims of the recent tornadoes in Massachusetts.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop has commenced a fundraising campaign to benefit victims of the recent tornadoes in Massachusetts.

The retailer said that 100% of the donations from the campaign, which will run from Friday through July 4, will go directly to the American Red Cross of central and western Massachusetts.

June 16, 2011
Supervalu puts emphasis on private label with Essential Everyday rollout

The private-label trend at retail continues to gain steam as Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert shared plans last month at the company's annual shareholders meeting to expand Supervalu's private-label program now through February 2012.

CHICAGO — The private-label trend at retail continues to gain steam as Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert shared plans last month at the company's annual shareholders meeting to expand Supervalu's private-label program now through February 2012.

June 16, 2011
Triple Double Oreo gets a home on store shelves

First came the Double Stuf; now Nabisco is bringing "milk's favorite cookie" to a whole new level.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — First came the Double Stuf; now Nabisco is bringing "milk's favorite cookie" to a whole new level.

The latest Oreo innovation, called the Oreo Triple Double, is a sandwich cookie that features three pieces of chocolate wafers that are separated by chocolate and vanilla cream. Oreo Triple Double cookies are hitting store shelves this summer, the company confirmed.

June 16, 2011
U.K. Office of Fair Trading OKs Unilever's partial divestment of bar soap business

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 16, 2011
Veet launches 28 Days of Beautiful application on Facebook

Hair depilatory brand Veet has announced the launch of the 28 Days of Beautiful Facebook application, a way for consumers to engage with the brand, share beauty secrets, receive exclusive offers and discounts, and get insider tips from the Veet Smooth Patrol — a panel of three celebrity experts in the fields of fitness, fashion and beauty.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Hair depilatory brand Veet has announced the launch of the 28 Days of Beautiful Facebook application, a way for consumers to engage with the brand, share beauty secrets, receive exclusive offers and discounts, and get insider tips from the Veet Smooth Patrol — a panel of three celebrity experts in the fields of fitness, fashion and beauty.

June 16, 2011
Woolite's campaign shows consumers how to take horror out of washing clothes

Laundry detergent brand Woolite is highlighting the horror of dirty clothes in its latest campaign.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Laundry detergent brand Woolite is highlighting the horror of dirty clothes in its latest campaign.

June 15, 2011
African Pride brings beauty suite to music festival

Ethnic beauty brand African Pride hair care is bringing its beauty suite to the 2011 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS — Ethnic beauty brand African Pride hair care is bringing its beauty suite to the 2011 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Taking place in the heart of New Orleans on July 2, the appointment-based "My Pride. My Way." suite will serve as an oasis for female concert-goers.

June 15, 2011
Canning exits Health Mart, nabs top marketing spot at Omnicare

Drug Store News has learned that Tim Canning, president of McKesson’s Health Mart division, is leaving the company to take the position of SVP and chief marketing officer at Omnicare. The move is effective June 17.

SAN FRANCISCO — Drug Store News has learned that Tim Canning, president of McKesson’s Health Mart division, is leaving the company to take the position of SVP and chief marketing officer at Omnicare. The move is effective June 17.

“Tim has played an important role in advancing the success of McKesson’s retail independent pharmacy customers through his leadership of key solutions and programs, such as Health Mart,” noted a company representative.

June 15, 2011
Cardinal Health, Prime Therapeutics renew distribution deal

A healthcare services company will continue to serve as the primary pharmaceutical supply chain partner for a pharmacy benefit manager's mail-order business.

DUBLIN, Ohio and ST. PAUL, Minn. — A healthcare services company will continue to serve as the primary pharmaceutical supply chain partner for a pharmacy benefit manager's mail-order business.

June 15, 2011
Compliant Pharmacy Alliance appoints VP marketing

A pharmacy purchasing cooperative announced that Mark LaPorte has joined its team as VP marketing.

STOUGHTON, Wis. — A pharmacy purchasing cooperative announced that Mark LaPorte has joined its team as VP marketing.

In his new role at Compliant Pharmacy Alliance, LaPorte will focus on coordinating and facilitating CPA membership growth and retention, recruiting, communications and marketing. An industry veteran, LaPorte has more than 25 years of experience in sales, sales management, sales training and marketing in the healthcare industry.

June 15, 2011
CtW Investment Group wants Rite Aid to overhaul its board

An investment group that holds approximately 3 million shares of Rite Aid stock is calling for an overhaul of the retail pharmacy chain’s board ahead of its annual stockholders meeting next Thursday.

WASHINGTON — An investment group that holds approximately 3 million shares of Rite Aid stock is calling for an overhaul of the retail pharmacy chain’s board ahead of its annual stockholders meeting next Thursday.

In a letter to Rite Aid’s board of directors, the CtW Investment Group, which works with pension funds sponsored by unions affiliated with the nonprofit group Change to Win, said its analysis found that only 4-of-the-11 nominees named in Rite Aid’s May 13th proxy statement were sufficiently independent to represent public shareholders.

June 15, 2011
Davidson's introduces tulsi teas

A new kind of organic tea is coming to grocery stores.

SPARKS, Nev. — A new kind of organic tea is coming to grocery stores.

Davidson's is introducing tulsi teas, which are derived from tulsi basil grown in India. Every ingredient in Davidson's tulsi teas is 100% botanical and certified organic, the company said. The teas are available in six flavors, including signature blend, pure leaves, rooibos chai, spicy green, hibiscus flower and chamomile.

June 15, 2011
Dr. Reddy's subsidiary confirms receipt of FDA warning letter

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to Dr. Reddy’s Labs’ chemical manufacturing plant in Mexico, the company said Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to Dr. Reddy’s Labs’ chemical manufacturing plant in Mexico, the company said Tuesday.

The drug maker said Dr. Reddy’s subsidiary Industrias Quimicas Falcon de Mexico, in Cuernavaca, received an FDA warning letter based on a November 2010 inspection where the regulatory agency found a number of manufacturing problems.

Dr. Reddy’s said it takes the warnings seriously and will respond to the FDA and work with the agency to resolve the problems.

June 15, 2011
Good Neighbor to 'lend a hand' to local charities

The “Today Show” special program “Lend a Hand” will get a hand from one of the country’s largest independent pharmacy networks.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — The “Today Show” special program “Lend a Hand” will get a hand from one of the country’s largest independent pharmacy networks.

Good Neighbor Pharmacy is supporting the program, which started Monday and continues through Friday. During the program, weatherman Al Roker will travel to Anchorage, Alaska; Houston; Birmingham, Ala.; and Charleston, W.Va., to help local charities.

June 15, 2011
Lewis Drug VP honored by SDPhA

Lewis Drug's VP professional services William "Bill" Ladwig has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Hustead Award by the South Dakota Pharmacists Association, Lewis Drug has announced.

PIERRE, S.D. — Lewis Drug's VP professional services William "Bill" Ladwig has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Hustead Award by the South Dakota Pharmacists Association, Lewis Drug has announced.

Ladwig, who has worked for Lewis Drug for 33 years, was selected by his peers in honor of the dedication and service he has shown toward the profession of pharmacy. The award was presented to Ladwig at the association's recent 125th Annual Convention at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.