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March 22, 2011
Sargento offers cheese lovers new flavor combinations

Sargento has introduced a new line of natural cheeses that combine two delicious flavors into one unique taste.

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — Sargento has introduced a new line of natural cheeses that combine two delicious flavors into one unique taste.

Sargento Natural Blends introduces three new flavor combinations, including cheddar-mozzarella, provolone-mozzarella and colby-pepper-jack. The cheddar-mozzarella and provolone-mozzarella cheese blends are available as cheese stick snacks and deli style slices, while colby-pepper-jack is available in the deli style slices variety.

March 22, 2011
Target to sell deluxe edition of Jennifer Hudson's sophomore album

Target's deal with Lady Gaga may have fallen through, but that doesn't mean the retailer has lost its ability to court the music industry.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target's deal with Lady Gaga may have fallen through, but that doesn't mean the retailer has lost its ability to court the music industry.

Case in point, the company announced Monday that it is partnering with Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson for the exclusive, deluxe edition of her second studio album, "I Remember Me." The deluxe edition, including four additional new songs and bonus video material, will be available only at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com beginning March 22.

March 22, 2011
Valeant CEO named chairman of the board

J. Michael Pearson has been appointed to chairman of the board at Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Tuesday.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — J. Michael Pearson has been appointed to chairman of the board at Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Pearson, who is Valeant's CEO, will extend his contract with Valeant through February 2017, the company said.

Pearson replaces current chairman Robert Ingram, who remains on the board as an independent board director and lead director.

March 22, 2011
Walgreens achieves record sales, Rx growth

Walgreens announced on Tuesday record sales and earnings for the second quarter as it celebrated a milestone of filling 1-in-every-5 retail prescriptions for the first time in the company's history.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced on Tuesday record sales and earnings for the second quarter as it celebrated a milestone of filling 1-in-every-5 retail prescriptions for the first time in the company's history.

Net earnings for the quarter were $739 million, or 80 cents per diluted share, compared with $669 million, or 68 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

March 22, 2011
Walgreens posts monster Q2 gains

With record second-quarter sales and earnings under its belt, a grasp on 20.1% of the retail prescription drug market and a sharpened focus on core assets, Walgreens' executives expressed optimism on future growth — despite such external challenges as a soft economy and continued pressure on Medicaid reimbursement — and reiterated the company's focus on core strategies.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With record second-quarter sales and earnings under its belt, a grasp on 20.1% of the retail prescription drug market and a sharpened focus on core assets, Walgreens' executives expressed optimism on future growth — despite such external challenges as a soft economy and continued pressure on Medicaid reimbursement — and reiterated the company's focus on core strategies.

March 22, 2011
Watson introduces generic Famvir

A subsidiary of Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a treatment for herpes infections, the company said Monday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A subsidiary of Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a treatment for herpes infections, the company said Monday.

Watson Labs launched famciclovir tablets in the 125-mg, 250-mg and 500-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Famvir and is used to treat cold sores and genital herpes in patients with and without HIV.

Famvir and generic versions had sales of about $197 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

March 21, 2011
AAPCHO addresses diabetes with new program

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations has introduced a program that aims to reduce the secondary complications of diabetes among specific ethnic groups living with the disease.

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations has introduced a program that aims to reduce the secondary complications of diabetes among specific ethnic groups living with the disease.

AAPCHO said its five-year diabetes program addresses diabetes among vulnerable populations in three Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities:

March 21, 2011
Coinstar 'eyes' SoloHealth

Coinstar will help boost the retail presence of a self-service kiosks provider through a new deal.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Coinstar will help boost the retail presence of a self-service kiosks provider through a new deal.

March 21, 2011
Credit Suisse projects strong Q2 for WAG

Following the recent sale of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management business, Credit Suisse analysts said they are interested in the executive team's updated thinking on their healthcare strategy and plans for the $550 million in proceeds.

NEW YORK — Following the recent sale of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management business, Credit Suisse analysts said they are interested in the executive team's updated thinking on their healthcare strategy and plans for the $550 million in proceeds.

March 21, 2011
Exergen granted new patent for TemporalScanner brand of thermometers

Exergen said a new patent granted to the company protects its temporal artery thermometers brand.

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Exergen said a new patent granted to the company protects its temporal artery thermometers brand.

Exergen said its portfolio of intellectual property rights has expanded with the new patent for its TemporalScanner brand of noninvasive thermometry products. Recently, Exergen said it filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Kidz-Med, American Scientific Resources and Tecnimed SRL.

March 21, 2011
Fruity Sensa offering hits market

Shortly after announcing the launch of its weight-loss system for men, Sensa is introducing a fruity lineup of energy-enhanced vitamin drinks.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Shortly after announcing the launch of its weight-loss system for men, Sensa is introducing a fruity lineup of energy-enhanced vitamin drinks.

Sensa Quench, available in orange crush, pink grapefruit and berry splash flavors, is a sugar-free drink mix that when added to 12 oz. of water includes a powerful blend of natural ingredients to energize, help increase the metabolism and hydrate, according to the company.

The Sensa Quench weight-loss system is available in a 30-pack for $39.95.

March 21, 2011
Going 'Extra' lengths to personalize gum

Wrigley is letting fans of its Extra sugar-free gum brand create and purchase personalized packs featuring consumers' own photos and designs.

CHICAGO — Wrigley is letting fans of its Extra sugar-free gum brand create and purchase personalized packs featuring consumers' own photos and designs.

Through MyExtra, which can be accessed at MyExtraGum.com, gum enthusiasts can take advantage of the custom-packaging offering with the brand's Slim Packs variety, which contains 15 sticks of Extra sugar-free gum and is available in Extra peppermint, spearmint and sweet watermelon flavors.

March 21, 2011
GPhA responds to potential OGD funding cuts; announces exit of Gordon Johnston

The generic drug industry’s main lobby in Washington is hoping to head off cuts to the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Generic Drugs, which it said could have a “devastating impact” on those who rely on generics.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug industry’s main lobby in Washington is hoping to head off cuts to the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Generic Drugs, which it said could have a “devastating impact” on those who rely on generics.

Republicans in Congress have sought to reduce government spending by making large cuts to various domestic programs and agencies, including the FDA, which critics of the plan said could jeopardize food and drug safety.

March 21, 2011
Hi-Tech Pharmacal acquires candidiasis treatment

Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has acquired the rights to a drug for mouth infections, the company said Monday.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has acquired the rights to a drug for mouth infections, the company said Monday.

Hi-Tech said it acquired nystatin oral suspension from Bausch & Lomb for an undisclosed sum. The drug is used to treat candidiasis, a fungal infection, in the mouth.

The market for the drug is $23 million, according to IMS Health.

March 21, 2011
Hostess goes retro

Hostess is going "old-school cool."

IRVING, Texas — Hostess is going "old-school cool."

For a limited time, the iconic snack cakes maker's treats, including chocolate cupcakes, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos, will tout retro packaging. Hostess also is bringing back the original banana Twinkie-filling recipe for a limited time.

March 21, 2011
Kerr Drug boosts free delivery program with new website

Customers looking to take advantage of Kerr Drug's free delivery service now can visit a new website developed by the chain.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Customers looking to take advantage of Kerr Drug's free delivery service now can visit a new website developed by the chain.

By logging on to KerrDrugDelivers.com, customers can find the nearest Kerr Drug pharmacy to request free delivery. The service allows customers to find the nearest Kerr Drug pharmacy and phone number to call and order their prescriptions, along with anything else in the store they may need.

March 21, 2011
MedPro Rx announces Education Is Power scholarship program

Patients with bleeding disorders could be eligible for a scholarship from a specialty pharmacy provider that specializes in treating them.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Patients with bleeding disorders could be eligible for a scholarship from a specialty pharmacy provider that specializes in treating them.

MedPro Rx announced Sunday that patients with such disorders as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease attending college and active in their communities could be eligible for its Education Is Power scholarship program.

March 21, 2011
NACDS appoints Jill McCormack director of state government affairs

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Monday that Jill McCormack joined its state government affairs team as a director of state government affairs.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Monday that Jill McCormack joined its state government affairs team as a director of state government affairs.

McCormack previously worked as a government affairs associate for Malady & Wooten in Harrisburg, Pa., where she represented the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores. She also served as a member of the senior staff for the Democratic Leader in the Pennsylvania Senate.

March 21, 2011
Nature's Health Connection's Australian Dream achieves record sales

Nature's Health Connection said its over-the-counter pain-relief cream has garnered record retail sales.

REDFORD, Mich. — Nature's Health Connection said its over-the-counter pain-relief cream has garnered record retail sales.

Sales for Australian Dream — a Food and Drug Administration-approved odorless, greaseless, dye-free and capsaicin-free cream — increased more than 145%, according to the company. Nature's Health Connection attributed the sales spike to a 30-second television commercial. 

Australian Dream is designed to treat minor aches and pains associated with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other muscle ailments.

March 21, 2011
Nipro Diagnostics promotes senior execs

Nipro Diagnostics, a provider of diabetes monitoring and management products, announced the promotion of Gregg Johnson to SVP consumer healthcare and Lisa Nardi to VP marketing. Both will continue reporting to Scott Verner, Nipro president.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nipro Diagnostics, a provider of diabetes monitoring and management products, announced the promotion of Gregg Johnson to SVP consumer healthcare and Lisa Nardi to VP marketing. Both will continue reporting to Scott Verner, Nipro president.

March 21, 2011
Report: Mylan looks to block Ranbaxy from making generic Lipitor

Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

March 21, 2011
Salon Grafix taps hairstylists to extend hair care products line

Hair care company Salon Grafix has partnered with two celebrity hairstylists, Alesha Oak and Gregory Alan, who will assist with product development, share exclusive trade secrets and work side by side with the Salon Grafix team to promote its line extension of hair care products that will debut in the spring.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Hair care company Salon Grafix has partnered with two celebrity hairstylists, Alesha Oak and Gregory Alan, who will assist with product development, share exclusive trade secrets and work side by side with the Salon Grafix team to promote its line extension of hair care products that will debut in the spring.

March 21, 2011
Stater Bros. acquires two Albertsons stores

Stater Bros. has entered an agreement to purchase two stores from Albertsons in Lake Elsinore and Hesperia, Calif.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has entered an agreement to purchase two stores from Albertsons in Lake Elsinore and Hesperia, Calif.

Stater Bros. said it expects to take possession of the locations from Albertsons, a Supervalu subsidiary, in mid-May. The California-based supermarket chain also said that the stores would receive several upgrades, including wider aisles; expanded and new full-service departments; and energy-efficient refrigeration, skylights and recycling centers.

March 21, 2011
Survey: Majority of New Yorkers would shop at Walmart

Walmart's efforts to open in New York City were helped last week when a new poll, released Friday, found that New Yorkers would shop at Walmart if one opened in the city.

NEW YORK — Walmart's efforts to open in New York City were helped last week when a new poll, released Friday, found that New Yorkers would shop at Walmart if one opened in the city.

According to the Quinnipiac University poll, 68% of New Yorkers said that if it were convenient for them, they would shop at Walmart. That is compared with 29% who said they would not.

Nearly identical numbers of people said the chain's lower prices would eat into small business sales.

March 21, 2011
Taking on vertical gardening with Topsy Turvy

A new tomato planter that has gardening enthusiasts looking up now is available at retailers nationwide.

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — A new tomato planter that has gardening enthusiasts looking up now is available at retailers nationwide.

The Topsy Turvy upside-down tomato planter takes on the vertical gardening trend by saving space and time.

How it works: Plant the seedlings, hang the Topsy Turvy planter and water. The process helps avoid such typical gardening frustrations as fungus, harmful pests and labor-intensive garden maintenance, the company said.

Topsy Turvy also offers planters for strawberries, hot peppers and more.