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April 28, 2011
Don Francisco's Coffee introduces limited-edition coffee to benefit MS campaign

Don Francisco's Coffee announced an exclusive and limited-edition coffee created for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.

LOS ANGELES — Don Francisco's Coffee announced an exclusive and limited-edition coffee created for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.

The 10-oz. Don Francisco's Blend to Erase MS ground coffee bags were created for the "Orange You Happy to Erase MS" awareness campaign and feature the Orange You Happy to Erase MS logo. The bold roast features a hint of smoky, caramel and dark chocolate flavors and retails for $7.99.

April 28, 2011
Frito-Lay breaks Guinness World Record for Facebook 'likes'

Frito-Lay fans really "like" the brand.

PLANO, Texas — Frito-Lay fans really "like" the brand.

The PepsiCo division said that its growing Facebook fan base has helped it garner the Guinness World Record title for "Most Fans on Facebook in 24 Hours," with nearly 1.6 million "likes" in one day, which occurred April 11.

To celebrate this achievement, Frito-Lay is giving away a coupon for a free bag of chips on its Facebook page to the first 24,000 consumers that "like" Frito-Lay, starting on April 29 at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time.

April 28, 2011
Health Station Networks to acquire Sentry Health Monitors

Health Station Networks will acquire “substantially all” of the assets of Sentry Health Monitors, which owns and operates more than 20,000 health monitors in pharmacies and other locations in the United States and Canada previously owned by Lifeclinic International, under a binding letter of intent.

SALT LAKE CITY — Health Station Networks will acquire “substantially all” of the assets of Sentry Health Monitors, which owns and operates more than 20,000 health monitors in pharmacies and other locations in the United States and Canada previously owned by Lifeclinic International, under a binding letter of intent.

April 28, 2011
Merck closer to acquiring Inspire

Merck has cleared a hurdle in its effort to buy eye care company Inspire Pharmaceuticals for $430 million, the company said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck has cleared a hurdle in its effort to buy eye care company Inspire Pharmaceuticals for $430 million, the company said Thursday.

The expiration of the waiting period mandated by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 brings Merck one step closer to acquiring Inspire.

Merck announced its intention to buy Raleigh, N.C.-based Inspire for $5 per share on April 15.

April 28, 2011
MillerCoors promotes Tom Long to CEO

The joint venture of SABMiller and Molson Coors has appointed a new CEO.

DENVER — The joint venture of SABMiller and Molson Coors has appointed a new CEO.

MillerCoors on Wednesday said that it is promoting its current chief commercial officer, Tom Long, to CEO, following the retirement of current CEO Leo Kiely, who will leave his post June 1.

April 28, 2011
Navarro Discount Pharmacy launches mobile app

Navarro Discount Pharmacy, which operates 28 stores in the Miami area, has launched a free pharmacy mobile application for its customers.

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy, which operates 28 stores in the Miami area, has launched a free pharmacy mobile application for its customers.

The new Navarro Rx App, m.navarro.com, is available for cell phones and smartphones, including iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile 7 (coming soon), and also supports two-way interactive SMS messaging.

The mobile app enables customers to manage their prescriptions and related health information directly from their mobile device. Features include:

April 28, 2011
P&G's beauty, grooming segments see growth

Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that its beauty and grooming segments posted single-digit increases in net sales during the third quarter.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that its beauty and grooming segments posted single-digit increases in net sales during the third quarter.

Beauty net sales rose 5% to $4.9 billion, on 5% volume growth. Organic volume, which excludes the net impact of Zest and minor fragrance divestitures, increased 6%, and organic sales grew 4%. The company noted that volume growth was driven by double-digit growth in developing regions, while volume in developed regions was flat.

April 28, 2011
Personal Care Products Council, American Cleaning Institute launch FightGermsNow.com

The Personal Care Products Council and the American Cleaning Institute have teamed up to launch a new website, FightGermsNow.com, to provide consumers, researchers and regulators information on antibacterial soaps and ingredients.

WASHINGTON — The Personal Care Products Council and the American Cleaning Institute have teamed up to launch a new website, FightGermsNow.com, to provide consumers, researchers and regulators information on antibacterial soaps and ingredients.

April 28, 2011
Pez dispenses new flavors

Pez Candy is giving fans more reasons to love its confections with the U.S. launch of two new flavor blends.

ORANGE, Conn. — Pez Candy is giving fans more reasons to love its confections with the U.S. launch of two new flavor blends.

Pez said the strawberry-vanilla and raspberry-lemon combinations join its lineup of assorted fruit flavors. The new flavors will be part of a 10-pack bonus candy SKU and then will be packaged with the regular assortments, the company said.

April 28, 2011
Poll: Older U.S. adults tend to make health-conscious decisions when purchasing food, beverages

Most U.S. adults are health-conscious when it comes to purchasing food and beverages, and many tend to purchase healthier products as they age, according to a new Harris poll.

NEW YORK — Most U.S. adults are health-conscious when it comes to purchasing food and beverages, and many tend to purchase healthier products as they age, according to a new Harris poll.

April 28, 2011
PTCB, METC prepare federal pharmacy technicians for success

Pharmacy technicians certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board maximize their training experiences at the Department of Defense Military Education and Training Campus in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the PTCB said.

WASHINGTON — Pharmacy technicians certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board maximize their training experiences at the Department of Defense Military Education and Training Campus in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the PTCB said.

Prior to graduating, students in the METC Pharmacy Technician Training Program are encouraged to take the PTCB’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and gain national recognition as certified pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy techs trained at the METC work in pharmacies operated by the federal government and the military.

April 28, 2011
Revlon reports upswing in Q1 net sales, income

Revlon, which recently added the Sinful Colors brand to its portfolio, announced on Thursday an upswing in first-quarter net sales and net income.

NEW YORK — Revlon, which recently added the Sinful Colors brand to its portfolio, announced on Thursday an upswing in first-quarter net sales and net income.

April 28, 2011
Safeway's Q1 in line with company's expectations

Net income for Safeway dropped due to a tax charge and the retailer's decision to repatriate $1.1 billion from its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, although the company noted revenue rose nearly 5%.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Net income for Safeway dropped due to a tax charge and the retailer's decision to repatriate $1.1 billion from its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, although the company noted revenue rose nearly 5%.

Net income for the first quarter ended March 26 dropped to $25.1 million, or 7 cents per diluted share, compared with $96 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, in first quarter 2010. Excluding the tax charge, Safeway said first-quarter net income was $105.3 million, or 29 cents per diluted share.

April 28, 2011
Shoppers Drug Mart reports Q1 results

Shoppers Drug Mart posted a 2.7% boost in first-quarter sales, driven by strong front-store sales gains that benefited from marketing campaigns, promotions and market share gains of the company's core health, beauty and convenience categories.

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart posted a 2.7% boost in first-quarter sales, driven by strong front-store sales gains that benefited from marketing campaigns, promotions and market share gains of the company's core health, beauty and convenience categories.

Front-end same-store sales rose 4.4% during the quarter ended March 26. Sales at the front end were C$1.197 billion ($1.26 billion), up 6% compared with the year-ago period.

April 28, 2011
Walgreens to acquire Carle RxExpress pharmacies

Walgreens has inked a deal to acquire 10 Carle RxExpress pharmacies from The Carle Foundation, an integrated network of healthcare services based in East Central Illinois.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has inked a deal to acquire 10 Carle RxExpress pharmacies from The Carle Foundation, an integrated network of healthcare services based in East Central Illinois.

April 28, 2011
Winn-Dixie sells off last of noncore operations

Winn-Dixie Stores announced that, with the sale of its Deep South beverage manufacturing facility, it has completed its program to sell all noncore manufacturing operations.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores announced that, with the sale of its Deep South beverage manufacturing facility, it has completed its program to sell all noncore manufacturing operations.

Polar Beverages of Worcester, Mass., will own the Fitzgerald, Ga.-based facility effective April 29.

April 27, 2011
Aegerion appoints new CFO

A biopharmaceutical company has appointed a new CFO.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A biopharmaceutical company has appointed a new CFO.

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals named Mark Fitzpatrick as the company's new CFO. Fitzpatrick joins the company, which is focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat severe lipid disorders, from Proteon Therapeutics, where he served as VP, CFO and assistant secretary.

April 27, 2011
AstraZeneca adds 'click-to-chat' feature to Crestor, Nexium websites

AstraZeneca has launched a new technology on two of its products' websites to give consumers an option to contact a live AstraZeneca customer service representative with just a click of a button.

WILMINGTON, Del. — AstraZeneca has launched a new technology on two of its products' websites to give consumers an option to contact a live AstraZeneca customer service representative with just a click of a button.

April 27, 2011
Astroglide Natural enters market

BioFilm on Wednesday launched Astroglide Natural product, a water-based and latex-safe personal lubricant made with all-natural botanical ingredients.

VISTA, Calif. — BioFilm on Wednesday launched Astroglide Natural product, a water-based and latex-safe personal lubricant made with all-natural botanical ingredients.

"Our enhanced Astroglide Natural is perfect for the consumer who desires all-natural or organic products," BioFilm CEO Lisa O'Carroll said. "Natural-themed stores and products continue to explode in popularity throughout the country, and we worked hard to be a part of that growth."

April 27, 2011
Carex salutes U.S. flag with new cane

Carex Health Brands recently introduced a new version of its popular derby designer cane decorated with the U.S. flag that will be shipping to stores in time for Memorial Day.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Carex Health Brands recently introduced a new version of its popular derby designer cane decorated with the U.S. flag that will be shipping to stores in time for Memorial Day.

Carex’s derby designer U.S. flag cane is height-adjustable with a push button and is crafted out of lightweight aluminum for increased functionality, comfort, safety and convenience. The new cane is topped with a black finish handle and is adjustable for either right- or left-handed users.

April 27, 2011
Children’s AccuDial receives 2011 Edison Award

AccuDial Pharmaceutical on Wednesday announced that its Children’s AccuDial product has been named a 2011 Edison Awards winner.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — AccuDial Pharmaceutical on Wednesday announced that its Children’s AccuDial product has been named a 2011 Edison Awards winner.

The product won gold in the consumer packaged goods category, 1-of-12 Best New Product Award categories recognized.

April 27, 2011
Columbia Labs, Watson submit NDA for Prochieve

A drug designed to reduce the risk of premature birth among pregnant women has been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for approval.

LIVINGSTON and PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A drug designed to reduce the risk of premature birth among pregnant women has been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for approval.

April 27, 2011
DEA kicks off second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting its second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this weekend, the agency said.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting its second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this weekend, the agency said.

April 27, 2011
FDA looks to simplify drug info packets

The Food and Drug Administration is working on creating new and simplified drug information sheets for consumers to replace the multipage and sometimes labyrinthine packets supplied with drugs at retail pharmacies, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration is working on creating new and simplified drug information sheets for consumers to replace the multipage and sometimes labyrinthine packets supplied with drugs at retail pharmacies, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the agency was testing the information sheets while the U.S. Pharmacopeia Convention was developing a new standard for drug labels.

April 27, 2011
First Response introduces at-home ovulation test

Church & Dwight on Tuesday announced the launch of its First Response digital ovulation test, a new at-home ovulation test that can detect a woman's personal luteinizing hormone, or LH, surge — the hormonal indication of ovulation — based on her own individual hormone levels.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Church & Dwight on Tuesday announced the launch of its First Response digital ovulation test, a new at-home ovulation test that can detect a woman's personal luteinizing hormone, or LH, surge — the hormonal indication of ovulation — based on her own individual hormone levels.