Content about Kentucky

May 28, 2013

After 50 years of service with the company, Kroger's mid-south division president John Hackett is retiring.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After 50 years of service with the company, Kroger's mid-south division president John Hackett is retiring. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, while working his way through college at The Ohio State University.

May 1, 2013

Mars Chocolate, the makers of Snickers brand candy, announced today that the company is teaming up with jockey Rosie Napravnik as she attempts to make history in this weekend's Kentucky Derby race.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate, the makers of Snickers brand candy, announced today that the company is teaming up with jockey Rosie Napravnik as she attempts to make history in this weekend's Kentucky Derby race.

Mars Chocolate North America officially partnered with Rosie by announcing Snickers will give away 1 million Snickers Bites — which are unwrapped, bite-sized versions of the candy bar — if she wins the famous race on May 4.

April 11, 2013

Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

April 8, 2013

A growing number of patients on Medicaid are filling their prescriptions through Managed Medicaid plans instead of the fee-for-service model as states switch them over in an effort to improve patient care and cut healthcare costs, but the effects remain unclear, according to a new study.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A growing number of patients on Medicaid are filling their prescriptions through Managed Medicaid plans instead of the fee-for-service model as states switch them over in an effort to improve patient care and cut healthcare costs, but the effects remain unclear, according to a new study.

March 25, 2013

Kentucky became the first state to enact legislation that provides pharmacists with transparency into how health plans determine pharmacy reimbursements for generic drugs, and establishes an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky on Friday became the first state to enact legislation that provides pharmacists with transparency into how health plans determine pharmacy reimbursements for generic drugs, and establishes an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels. 

Specifically, the new law creates a set of standards with relation to categorizations and formularies for how pharmacy benefit managers craft their MAC lists, requires more frequent updates and streamlines the process for pharmacy reimbursement appeals.

March 7, 2013

A weight-loss competition sponsored by mass merchandise retailer Meijer and nutritional scoring company NuVal is enlisting 60,000 team members who will compete for $15,000 in prize money over three months.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A weight-loss competition sponsored by mass merchandise retailer Meijer and nutritional scoring company NuVal is enlisting 60,000 team members who will compete for $15,000 in prize money over three months.

February 28, 2013

The National Community Pharmacists Association applauded the Kentucky Senate for voting to pass S.B. 107, a bill that will provide transparency regarding how pharmacy reimbursements are determined for multiple source generic drugs, and establish an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday applauded the Kentucky Senate for voting to pass S.B. 107, a bill that will provide transparency regarding how pharmacy reimbursements are determined for multiple source generic drugs, and establish an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels. 

January 28, 2013

Johnson & Johnson is shopping its women's health unit, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal, which suggested that the business no longer coincided with J&J's "growth priorities."

NEW YORK — Johnson & Johnson is shopping its women's health unit, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal, which suggested that the business no longer coincided with J&J's "growth priorities." 

The brands managed by the unit include intimacy health KY and women's personal care brands, o.b. tampons and Stayfree and Carefree pads. 

January 21, 2013

Zipnosis, which provides patient access to mainstream medicine via online diagnosis and the treatment of common health needs, has announced that its services are now available in 11 states across the country.

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn. — Zipnosis, which provides patient access to mainstream medicine via online diagnosis and the treatment of common health needs, has announced that its services are now available in 11 states across the country.

Patients who live in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin can now visit Zipnosis.com and receive a diagnosis and treatment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

December 17, 2012

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores recognized U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan for her continued leadership on behalf of pharmacy patient care.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Monday recognized U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) for her continued leadership on behalf of pharmacy patient care. Hagan, joined by seven U.S. Senate colleagues, sent a bipartisan letter of support for medication therapy management to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

December 14, 2012

Pure Ally has introduced K'wass-Up, a new malted, nonalcoholic beverage, according to the beverage maker's website. It's an "uncommon drink — for the uncommon you!"

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fl. — Pure Ally has introduced K'wass-Up, a new malted, nonalcoholic beverage, according to the beverage maker's website. It's an "uncommon drink — for the uncommon you!"

November 20, 2012

Gov. Steve Beshear on Monday announced the launch of a privately funded, statewide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness about "smurfing," the illegal process of buying products containing pseudoephedrine on behalf of methamphetamine criminals.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear on Monday announced the launch of a privately funded, statewide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness about "smurfing," the illegal process of buying products containing pseudoephedrine on behalf of methamphetamine criminals. The goal of the Anti-Smurfing Campaign is to inform potential smurfers and the general public — through signage displayed at pharmacy sales counters — that smurfing is a serious criminal offense that can result in criminal charges and possibly time in jail. 

November 16, 2012

L'Oréal USA celebrated the expansion of its Florence, Ky., manufacturing plant with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Gov. Steve Beshear.

NEW YORK — L'Oréal USA celebrated the expansion of its Florence, Ky., manufacturing plant with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Gov. Steve Beshear.

November 16, 2012

Midwestern mass merchandise retailer Meijer will serve as a regional sponsor for an initiative led by the American Diabetes Association, the ADA said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Midwestern mass merchandise retailer Meijer will serve as a regional sponsor for an initiative led by the American Diabetes Association, the ADA said.

The group said it had signed a deal whereby Meijer would serve as a regional sponsor for the next five years for the Stop Diabetes Movement in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Activities will include diabetes camps, walks and others.

October 16, 2012

A team of pharmacy students from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy was named the winner of the 2012 Good Neighbor Pharmacy National Community Pharmacists Association Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition, the National Community Pharmacists Association announced Monday.

 SAN DIEGO — A team of pharmacy students from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy was named the winner of the 2012 Good Neighbor Pharmacy National Community Pharmacists Association Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition, the National Community Pharmacists Association announced Monday. A team from the University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences was runner-up, and a team representing the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy finished as the second-runner up. 

October 9, 2012

A group pushing to increase the number of people vaccinated against influenza has a deal with a Midwestern retailer to encourage vaccination in the region.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — A group pushing to increase the number of people vaccinated against influenza has a deal with a Midwestern retailer to encourage vaccination in the region.

August 6, 2012

Generic drug maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals will spend $120 million to expand three of its plants, the company said Monday.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Generic drug maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals will spend $120 million to expand three of its plants, the company said Monday.

Amneal said it would spend the money over a two-year period lasting through 2014 to "significantly" grow operations at research-and-development, manufacturing and distribution plants in New York, New Jersey and Kentucky. The company, which employs more than 1,100 people in the United States, said the expansion would create 500 more jobs.

May 16, 2012

Appropriately promoting niche brands within the intimacy health space can be a little trickier than the average consumer packaged goods product. And social media isn’t necessarily the ideal platform — an adult may not be as comfortable “liking” an intimacy enhancement product on Facebook to show their brand affinity, for example. 


Appropriately promoting niche brands within the intimacy health space can be a little trickier than the average consumer packaged goods product. And social media isn’t necessarily the ideal platform — an adult may not be as comfortable “liking” an intimacy enhancement product on Facebook to show their brand affinity, for example. 


April 11, 2012

Legislation that requires transparency in the pharmacy audit processes conducted by pharmacy benefit managers is being enacted in Kentucky.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Legislation that requires transparency in the pharmacy audit processes conducted by pharmacy benefit managers is being enacted in Kentucky.

H.B. 349, which was signed by Kentucky state governor Steve Beshear last week and sponsored by Senate majority whip Tommy Thompson (D-Ky.), is designed to prohibit PBMs from seeking to recoup payments through pharmacy audits when there is no evidence of fraud.

The signing of the legislation was praised by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

March 19, 2012

Kroger announced that Tim Brown now will be responsible for stores in western Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri as president of the company's Delta division.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that Tim Brown now will be responsible for stores in western Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri as president of the company's Delta division.

Brown, 52, has been VP operations in the company's Delta division, based in Roanoke, Va., since 2011; before that, he served as the Mid-Atlantic division's VP merchandising since 2009.

March 5, 2012

In the wake of tornadoes that hit communities in Kentucky on Friday, retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid has donated to a local Red Cross chapter to assist victims.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In the wake of tornadoes that hit communities in Kentucky on Friday, retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid has donated to a local Red Cross chapter to assist victims.

The company said Sunday that the Rite Aid Foundation, its philanthropic arm, had donated $15,000 to the Bluegrass chapter of the American Red Cross. The foundation also will provide supplies and items to assist with disaster relief efforts. Eli Lilly Foundation also pledged to donate $100,000 to the Red Cross.

February 21, 2012

Walgreens on Tuesday partnered with Passport Health Plan, a local Medicaid health plan in Louisville, Ky., on a new smoking-cessation program that launched in early January.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday partnered with Passport Health Plan, a local Medicaid health plan in Louisville, Ky.,  on a new smoking-cessation program that launched in early January. The program is free to Walgreens customers and Passport members and aims to improve the community’s health by giving smokers the tools, resources and ongoing clinical pharmacist counseling to help them achieve their cessation goals.

December 2, 2011

ABC's "Nightline: Late Evening News" on Wednesday aired an exposé on Kentucky's methamphetamine problem, shadowing law enforcement as they made three arrests in a state that employs an electronic tracking system for the over-the-counter ingredient pseudoephedrine. The officers investigated sales made at Walgreens, CVS and Walmart.

NEW YORK — ABC's "Nightline: Late Evening News" on Wednesday aired an exposé on Kentucky's methamphetamine problem, shadowing law enforcement as they made three arrests in a state that employs an electronic tracking system for the over-the-counter ingredient pseudoephedrine. The officers investigated sales made at Walgreens, CVS and Walmart.

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.

September 8, 2011

Pharmaceutical services provider Omnicare is taking its bid to buy PharMerica hostile.

COVINGTON, Ky. — Pharmaceutical services provider Omnicare is taking its bid to buy PharMerica hostile.

PharMerica, a Louisville, Ky.-based company that distributes drugs to long-term care centers, turned down Omnicare's offer last month, saying it undervalued the company. Omnicare, a Covington, Ky.-based company that also distributes drugs to long-term care centers and nursing homes, had offered $716 million, or $15 per share, which it said represented a 37.2% premium over PharMerica's closing stock price on Aug. 22.