Content about Illinois

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday launched Ology, a nationally accessible and affordable brand formulated to be free of harmful chemicals. Exclusive to Walgreens' family of companies, the Ology brand features a line of baby and personal care products as well as household cleaners, the company stated.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott and its foundation, the Abbott Fund, on Friday announced that $1 million in funding and product donations will be made to support relief efforts in response to Hurricane Sandy. The Abbott Fund grants will be provided to long-standing relief organization partners, including the American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Direct Relief International and World Vets. 

Abbott product donations have been made to Direct Relief International and Feeding America.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears and Kmart are offering more than a quarter-million dollars in rewards for members of their loyalty program and sending emergency equipment from 42 distribution centers in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, parent company Sears Holdings said.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott on Tuesday announced the launch of Ensure Complete in chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Ensure Complete shakes feature Abbott’s proprietary ingredient, Revigor, a source of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, an amino-acid metabolite, and 13 grams of protein to help protect, preserve and promote muscle health. Revigor, in combination with protein, can help rebuild muscle by helping to stabilize muscle cells and slow protein breakdown while promoting the production of new muscle tissue, the company stated. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday pledged $250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to supplement the organization's support of East Coast communities recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

The company also is donating three semitrailer truckloads of bottled water to a Red Cross facility in New Brunswick, N.J., to distribute throughout the disaster area. Walgreens stores in the region also are donating merchandise in response to community requests that have come in since the storm’s impact.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced that it has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of their strategic partnership’s synergy program.

The new company, called Walgreens Boots Alliance Development, will be based in Bern, Switzerland.

No other details were released. 

LISLE, Ill. – A pharmacy benefit manager has received two awards for what it called "innovative healthcare tools."

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Sears Holdings said it was “rushing” emergency supplies to stores on the East Coast ahead of Hurricane Sandy.

The company, which operates the Sears and Kmart chains, said it would stock up on portable generators, chainsaws, gasoline cans, flashlights and other equipment at stores from North Carolina to Maine.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — As officials across the East Coast closely monitor the approach of Hurricane Sandy, Walgreens and Duane Reade on Saturday offered several preparation tips to ensure uninterrupted access to prescription medications. 

For evacuees, Walgreens suggested that consumers leave first and refill later at a pharmacy close to their evacuation area. "This allows you to avoid potentially long lines at your local pharmacy, and you won’t needlessly delay your evacuation," Walgreens advised. 

LISLE, Ill. — Pharmacy benefit manager Catamaran has won contracts with Indiana's state Medicaid program, the company said.

WHEELING, Ill. — “When you create something for [our various retail concepts], you are creating a new experience and environment that makes us different than our competitive set. Exclusivity of the experience is a large differentiator.” That was a key message that keynote retail speaker Shannon Curtin, Walgreens divisional VP and GMM for beauty, personal care and seasonal, had for attendees of the latest Mack Elevation Forum.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Recognizing the important role its community pharmacy team plays in helping people get, stay and live well, Walgreens is celebrating its more than 27,000 pharmacists and their commitment to patient care in communities nationwide during American Pharmacists Month.