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March 14, 2011

GiantMicrobes has developed a new line of educational plush toys that are modeled after tiny organisms.

NEW YORK — GiantMicrobes has developed a new line of educational plush toys that are modeled after tiny organisms.

New to the lineup are toys that resemble magnified microbes of hay fever, a tick and a brain cell.

Original-sized GiantMicrobes (5-in. to 7-in. sizes) retail for $8.95, while GiantMicrobes petri dishes (three mini-microbes packaged in a dish) retail for $12.95, and Gigantics (15-in. to 20-in. sizes) retail for $29.95. The brain cell plush toy is available as a key chain, GiantMicrobes said, and retails for $5.95.

March 14, 2011

Drug maker Gilead acknowledged the receipt of an unsolicited mini-tender offer by TRC Capital.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Drug maker Gilead acknowledged the receipt of an unsolicited mini-tender offer by TRC Capital.

Gilead said that TRC seeks to purchase up to 3 million shares of the company at a price of $37.25 per share, or about $111.75 million. The drug maker said it is recommending shareholders reject the bid, stating that the offer is priced below the current market price for Gilead shares and is subject to numerous conditions. As of March 2, TRC's offer price represented approximately a 4.56% discount to the $39.03 closing price of Gilead common stock.

March 14, 2011

Joe Magnacca brings to bear a menagerie of merchandising savvy that will help Walgreens on its way to well. That savvy includes some "old world" retailing perspective by way of Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart, where a focus on beauty and convenience is paramount. And his recent meteoric rise through the ranks of Duane Reade is testament to just how well he connected with the denizens of the most-populated city in the United States through enhanced merchandising and marketing.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Joe Magnacca brings to bear a menagerie of merchandising savvy that will help Walgreens on its way to well. That savvy includes some "old world" retailing perspective by way of Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart, where a focus on beauty and convenience is paramount. And his recent meteoric rise through the ranks of Duane Reade is testament to just how well he connected with the denizens of the most-populated city in the United States through enhanced merchandising and marketing.

March 14, 2011

McNeil last week finalized the terms of a consent decree of permanent injunction with the Food and Drug Administration for manufacturing facilities operated by the McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico; Fort Washington, Pa.; and Lancaster, Pa.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil last week finalized the terms of a consent decree of permanent injunction with the Food and Drug Administration for manufacturing facilities operated by the McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico; Fort Washington, Pa.; and Lancaster, Pa.

The consent decree is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

March 14, 2011

A Midwest retailer announced it would invest $75 million in a major remodel project that would benefit stores in two states.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Midwest retailer announced it would invest $75 million in a major remodel project that would benefit stores in two states.

Meijer said 10 stores in Michigan and Ohio would benefit from the initiative. The retailer projected that the remodeling program would be completed by the end of the year.

March 14, 2011

Ten members of Congress expressed concerns over a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that is said to reduce Medicare program costs, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Ten members of Congress expressed concerns over a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that is said to reduce Medicare program costs, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

March 14, 2011

New Chapter last week introduced a slew of new products at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., including three fish oil supplements and two multivitamins.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — New Chapter last week introduced a slew of new products at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., including three fish oil supplements and two multivitamins.

New Chapter developed the Wholemega line sourcing wild Alaskan salmon oil and using a cold-pressed proprietary extra-virgin process, similar to that of fine olive oil, to preserve the whole omegas, natural antioxidants and vitamin D3.

March 14, 2011

Reps. Charles Boustany, R-La., and John Larson, D-Conn., on Friday introduced bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the “use-it-or-lose-it” provision associated with flexible spending accounts.

WASHINGTON — Reps. Charles Boustany, R-La., and John Larson, D-Conn., on Friday introduced bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the “use-it-or-lose-it” provision associated with flexible spending accounts.

March 14, 2011

By 2015, “pharmacists will be the healthcare professionals responsible for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.” That was the consensus reached in the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners' vision statement at the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s Consumer Awareness, Resources, Education, State Policy and Testing Summit last month.

WASHINGTON — By 2015, “pharmacists will be the healthcare professionals responsible for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.” That was the consensus reached in the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners' vision statement at the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s Consumer Awareness, Resources, Education, State Policy and Testing Summit last month.

March 14, 2011

Rite Aid is working with Sharps Compliance to help customers dispose of unused medications, the retailer said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is working with Sharps Compliance to help customers dispose of unused medications, the retailer said Monday.

Customers can buy a Sharps Compliance medication-disposal envelope at a Rite Aid store for $3.99, place unused prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs inside and then send it via the U.S. Postal Service to the incinerator.

March 14, 2011

Beiersdorf, whose brands include Nivea, Eucerin and Aquaphor, has announced that Robert Taylor-Hughes, president of Beiersdorf North America, is leaving the company.

WILTON, Conn. — Beiersdorf, whose brands include Nivea, Eucerin and Aquaphor, has announced that Robert Taylor-Hughes, president of Beiersdorf North America, is leaving the company.

In the interim, Bill Graham, currently VP sales of Beiersdorf North America, will assume the role of acting general manager in addition to his current responsibilities. The company stated that a successor will be announced at a later date.

March 14, 2011

Seventh Generation has developed an ultra-concentrated liquid laundry detergent that is available in a 100% compostable bottle.

NEW YORK — Seventh Generation has developed an ultra-concentrated liquid laundry detergent that is available in a 100%-compostable bottle.

The company said the entire packaging system (fiber bottle, pouch, spout, cap) for its Natural 4x laundry detergent uses 66% less plastic than a typical 100-oz. 2x laundry bottle. Seventh Generation's Natural 4x laundry detergent — a nontoxic, biodegradable formula — is available in a 50-oz. (66 loads) size and two scents: Free and Clear, and Geranium Blossoms and Vanilla.

March 14, 2011

Sugar and chalk. That’s what Pfizer researchers found in a pill that was supposed to be Cytotec but was, in fact, a crude knock-off seized from a counterfeit drug lab in Peru. The "60 Minutes" segment came as no surprise to Drug Store News, which has argued for many years that drug counterfeiting is the key reason lawmakers need to forget the recurring pipe dream they share that rogue Internet sites and drug reimportation is a legitimate solution to rising healthcare costs.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Sugar and chalk. That’s what Pfizer researchers found in a pill that was supposed to be Cytotec but was, in fact, a crude knock-off seized from a counterfeit drug lab in Peru.

(THE NEWS: '60 Minutes' examines drug counterfeit problem. For the full story, click here)

March 14, 2011

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 14, 2011

As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, Wonder bread is gearing up to launch a campaign to honor America's everyday heroes.

IRVING, Texas — As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, Wonder bread is gearing up to launch a campaign to honor America's everyday heroes.

The soon-to-be-launched "Wonder Heroes" campaign will select people from 800 submissions to Wonder's Facebook page. The everyday heroes then will appear on limited-edition packages available in stores around Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

March 14, 2011

AmerisourceBergen Monday afternoon announced that CEO David Yost will retire from the wholesaler, effective July 1, after 37 years with the company and the last 14 as CEO.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen Monday afternoon announced that CEO David Yost will retire from the wholesaler, effective July 1, after 37 years with the company and the last 14 as CEO.

Yost will be succeeded by Steven Collis, 49.

March 11, 2011

A new line of organic and Fair Trade-certified chocolate bars has hit the market.

SOLANA BEACH, Calif. — A new line of organic and Fair Trade-certified chocolate bars has hit the market.

Jungell's Angell bars are chocolate bars that are available in Angell Crisp, Snow Angell, Dark Angell and Classic Angell (coming soon), and range from 170 to 190 calories per bar. Each candy bar contains only organic ingredients and made its debut at the Natural Products Expo West 2011, held in Anaheim, Calif.

Angell bars are available at natural food stores and on Amazon.com.

March 11, 2011

A joint venture between PepsiCo and Unilever has tapped a Hall of Fame golfer to promote ready-to-drink iced teas throughout the state of Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A joint venture between PepsiCo and Unilever has tapped a Hall of Fame golfer to promote ready-to-drink iced teas throughout the state of Florida.

The Pepsi Lipton Tea partnership said Annika Sorenstam will promote Lipton ready-to-drink iced teas through in-market appearances and regional advertising for its portfolio of RTD iced tea products, which includes Lipton and Lipton Pure Leaf iced teas.

March 11, 2011

Specialty pharmacy provider BioScrip had sales of $450.4 million in fourth quarter 2010 and $1.6 billion for the year as a whole, according to financial results released Friday.

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — Specialty pharmacy provider BioScrip had sales of $450.4 million in fourth quarter 2010 and $1.6 billion for the year as a whole, according to financial results released Friday.

Sales for the quarter were $108.8 million higher than in fourth quarter 2009, while sales for the fiscal year were $300 million higher than in fiscal year 2009. However, the company still had net losses of $67.1 million for the quarter and $69.1 million for the year.

March 11, 2011

According to a study presented Friday at the Natural Products Expo West, Boiron has found there is substantial opportunity for growth in the retail sales of homeopathic medicines with notable interest among consumers in trying homeopathic medicines.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — According to a study presented Friday at the Natural Products Expo West, Boiron has found there is substantial opportunity for growth in the retail sales of homeopathic medicines with notable interest among consumers in trying homeopathic medicines.

Nearly half of all consumers have used a natural or alternative medicine successfully in the past, and there is strong consumer desire to minimize their usage of traditional over-the-counter medications because of safety and purity concerns.

March 11, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved biotech company Dendreon’s expansion of manufacturing capacity for an immunotherapy treatment for prostate cancer, Dendreon said Thursday.

SEATTLE — The Food and Drug Administration has approved biotech company Dendreon’s expansion of manufacturing capacity for an immunotherapy treatment for prostate cancer, Dendreon said Thursday.

The company said it would be able to increase the ability of Provenge (sipuleucel-T) manufactured at its plant in New Jersey by increasing the number of workstations to produce it from 12 to 48.

The treatment is designed to induce an immune response against prostatic acid phosphatase, an antigen present in most prostate cancers.

March 11, 2011

Diabetica Research Solutions said its DRSI ReStore! Energy brand has teamed up with television personality and author Charles Mattocks.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Diabetica Research Solutions said its DRSI ReStore! Energy brand has teamed up with television personality and author Charles Mattocks.

Mattocks, known to fans as "The Poor Chef," will make appearances with DRSI ReStore! Energy, including on such shows as "Dr. Oz," "Fox News" and "Oprah," as well as through his diabetes community website, newsletters and his blogs, while he continues testing recipes for diabetics using the supplement. Mattocks recently was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

March 11, 2011

Remington has received recognition from Essence magazine for one of its products.

NEW YORK — Remington has received recognition from Essence magazine for one of its products.

Remington T-Studio pearl ceramic heated clip setters were awarded in the "Best Hot Rollers" category and called a "great investment." The T-Studio pearl ceramic heated clip setters feature exclusive pearl ceramic technology and include 20 rollers in two different sizes, eight 1-in. medium rollers and 12 1.25-in. large rollers.

Remington T-Studio pearl ceramic heated clip setters are available at Target and Ulta stores.

March 11, 2011

Essie Cosmetics has joined forces with shoe brand Toms Shoes to support a global campaign to raise awareness of the millions of children at risk for disease and infection as they grow up without shoes.

NEW YORK — Essie Cosmetics has joined forces with shoe brand Toms Shoes to support a global campaign to raise awareness of the millions of children at risk for disease and infection as they grow up without shoes.

As part of the One Day Without Shoes campaign, which kicks off April 5, Essie this week said it would give away a bottle of its limited-edition One Day Without Blues nail color, a light-blue shade designed to mirror the Toms Shoes flag, to the first 5,000 people that sign up.

March 11, 2011

U.S. retail sales rose 1% in February to $387.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Friday.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales rose 1% in February to $387.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Friday.

This marks the biggest sales gain in four months, the government agency said, with sales also being 8.9% above the year-ago period. Digging deeper, grocery store sales saw a 0.5% gain from January and rose to nearly $41.8 million, while health and personal care stores experienced a 0.3% decline from last month, dropping to $21.4 million.