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June 6, 2013
Upsher-Smith wins HDMA DIANA award

A healthcare products distribution trade group has given drug maker Upsher-Smith Labs one of its top awards, Upsher-Smith said.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — A healthcare products distribution trade group has given drug maker Upsher-Smith Labs one of its top awards, Upsher-Smith said.

The drug maker announced it was a recipient of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association's Distribution Industry Award for Notable Achievements in Healthcare, or DIANA, in the category of "Best Overall Branded Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturer with Sales to Healthcare Distributers of Less than $300 Million."

June 6, 2013
Vermont state No. 27 to employ NPLEx in the fight against PSE diversion

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday applauded the Vermont legislature and Gov. Peter Shumlin for their passage of House Bill 522, which makes Vermont the 27th state to adopt the pseudoephedrine-tracking system known as the National Precursor Log Exchange.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday applauded the Vermont legislature and Gov. Peter Shumlin for their passage of House Bill 522, which makes Vermont the 27th state to adopt the pseudoephedrine-tracking system known as the National Precursor Log Exchange.

June 5, 2013
NACDS shines light on public's trust of community pharmacy following Aflac survey

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is reminding private sector and government decision makers about the public’s trust of community pharmacists as healthcare advisers and about the ability of new pharmacy services – in conjunction with physicians and other healthcare partners – to help empower patients to improve their health.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is reminding private sector and government decision-makers about the public’s trust of community pharmacists as healthcare advisers and about the ability of new pharmacy services – in conjunction with physicians and other healthcare partners – to help empower patients to improve their health. The statement comes on the heels of an Aflac survey that revealed concerns about Americans’ confidence in their ability to play active roles in “consumer-driven healthcare.”

June 5, 2013
Update: USA Drug icon Stephen LaFrance passes away

Stephen LaFrance, 71, former owner of USA Drug, passed away Wednesday morning, DSN has learned.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Stephen LaFrance, 71, former owner of USA Drug, passed away Wednesday morning, DSN has learned. 

Additional details were not immediately available, though the passing was unexpected. 

June 4, 2013
Dollar General bullish on year with tobacco rollout

Dollar General increased net sales by 8.5% to $4.2 billion for its first quarter ended May 3, the dollar operator reported Tuesday.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General increased net sales by 8.5% to $4.2 billion for its first quarter ended May 3, the dollar operator reported Tuesday. 

“For the quarter, we achieved same-store sales growth of 2.6%, reflecting strong growth in our consumables categories offset by softer sales in seasonal and weather-sensitive categories,” stated Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “We believe the continued strength in consumables is a sign of the underlying health of our business.”

June 4, 2013
Pharmacy and the health cost crisis

Have a colonoscopy performed in some parts of the U.S., and it’ll cost you and your health plan as much as $9,000 or more, versus a few hundred dollars in most of the rest of the developed world, even with countries whose healthcare systems are on par with ours in terms of quality rankings and outcomes. The average hip replacement costs $40,364 here, compared with $7,731 in Spain. An M.R.I. scan in the U.S. runs $1,121, vs. $319 in the Netherlands. And a hospital stay will cost “about triple those in other developed countries, even though they last no longer.”

Have a colonoscopy performed in some parts of the United States, and it’ll cost you and your health plan as much as $9,000 or more, versus a few hundred dollars in most of the rest of the developed world — even with countries whose healthcare systems are on par with ours in terms of quality rankings and outcomes. The average hip replacement costs $40,364 here, compared with $7,731 in Spain. An MRI scan in the United States runs $1,121, vs. $319 in the Netherlands.

June 4, 2013
Study predicts 6 million added to Medicaid rolls with implementation of health reform

The healthcare reform law will add 6 million Americans to Medicaid and 21 million to affordable insurance exchanges, according to a new study.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The healthcare reform law will add 6 million Americans to Medicaid and 21 million to affordable insurance exchanges, according to a new study.

June 4, 2013
Survey: Employees not prepared to take greater control of health care

American workers are not prepared to take greater control of their health care in light of healthcare reform and rising healthcare costs, according to recent research.

COLUMBUS, Ga. — American workers are not prepared to take greater control of their health care in light of healthcare reform and rising healthcare costs, according to recent research.

June 3, 2013
Dollar General and P&G partner on Every Day Heroes program for June

In June, Dollar General will be partnering with Procter & Gamble to celebrate soldiers making a difference in their communities after returning from service as part of its Every Day Heroes program, the dollar channel operator announced.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — In June, Dollar General will be partnering with Procter & Gamble to celebrate soldiers making a difference in their communities after returning from service as part of its Every Day Heroes program, the dollar channel operator announced Monday. Dollar General will feature decorated veteran Sparky Edwards in a national campaign thanking the nation’s military across the country.

June 3, 2013
Popcorn, Indiana teams up with 'The Biggest Loser' for healthy eating initiative

Popcorn, Indiana and NBCUniversal's "The Biggest Loser" are teaming up for a nationwide health initiative called "Fit Across America 2013," the companies announced.

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — Popcorn, Indiana and NBCUniversal's "The Biggest Loser" are teaming up for a nationwide health initiative called "Fit Across America 2013," the companies announced last week.

May 30, 2013
Dawn of the super anti-agers: Will they save your beauty department?

Beauty trends are as much a reflection of the consumer's state of mind as they are a reflection of the technological innovations put forth by research-and-development teams at laboratories around the world. While consumers are not able to verbalize their expectations for the ideal product that will fulfill their needs, they are able to pinpoint gaps with their unmet needs through their purchasing patterns.

GUEST COLUMN BY DANIELA CIOCAN

Beauty trends are as much a reflection of the consumer's state of mind as they are a reflection of the technological innovations put forth by research-and-development teams at laboratories around the world. While consumers are not able to verbalize their expectations for the ideal product that will fulfill their needs, they are able to pinpoint gaps with their unmet needs through their purchasing patterns. These shopping patterns allow marketing teams and product developers to gauge consumer readiness for the next innovation.

May 30, 2013
Jean Coutu Group to spend $184.3 million on relocation

Canadian retail pharmacy operator the Jean Coutu Group will spend nearly $200 million to relocate its headquarters and distribution center, the company said.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec — Canadian retail pharmacy operator the Jean Coutu Group will spend nearly $200 million to relocate its headquarters and distribution center, the company said.

Jean Coutu Group said it would consolidate operations presently located in the city of Longueuil, Quebec, to a new, 800,000-sq.-ft. location in Varennes, on the south shore of Montreal.

May 30, 2013
Liability of harmful side effects questioned

This summer, the Supreme Court will decide on a case that could determine whether generic drug makers can be held liable when patients suffer harmful side effects from taking their drugs.

This summer, the Supreme Court will decide on a case that could determine whether generic drug makers can be held liable when patients suffer harmful side effects from taking their drugs.

May 30, 2013
Mo. law expands pharmacy inspection authority

A new law in Missouri allows state regulatory officials to test drugs during inspections.

NEW YORK — A new law in Missouri allows state regulatory officials to test drugs during inspections.

Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law the bill, S.B. 306, which allows the Missouri Board of Pharmacy to establish a program for testing drugs, including compounded drugs, with testing paid for by the board. The law previously allowed the board only to inspect businesses selling drugs or chemicals.

A copy of the bill is here.

May 30, 2013
SCOTUS, biosimilars focus in 2013

The year is only halfway done, but 2013 is already proving to be a year of particular importance for generic drugs as the industry awaits two important decisions from the Supreme Court and continues to wait for federal biosimilar regulations while fending off efforts to limit the scope of their use at the state level.

The year is only halfway done, but 2013 is already proving to be a year of particular importance for generic drugs as the industry awaits two important decisions from the Supreme Court and continues to wait for federal biosimilar regulations while fending off efforts to limit the scope of their use at the state level.

May 30, 2013
SoloHealth appoints Ryan Sloan as director of business development

A former employee of health insurer Aetna has been hired to direct business strategies for a maker of health kiosks.

ATLANTA — A former employee of health insurer Aetna has been hired to direct business strategies for a maker of health kiosks.

SoloHealth announced Thursday the appointment of Ryan Sloan as director of business development, following his 12-year stint at Aetna. At SoloHealth, Sloan will focus on expanding the company across the health services and insurance fields, corporate worksite strategy and exploring new business, reporting to EVP and chief commercial officer Stephen Kendig.

May 29, 2013
Bi-Lo to buy 165 stores from Delhaize for $265 million

The parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains will buy three chains from Belgium-based Delhaize Group.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains will buy three chains from Belgium-based Delhaize Group.

Bi-Lo Holdings said it would acquire the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid's chains from Delhaize for $265 million. The deal includes 72 Sweetbay stores, leases for 10 prior Sweetbay locations, 72 Harveys stores and 11 Reid's stores, for a total of 165 stores and 10,000 employees throughout the Southeast. Bi-Lo Holdings already operates 686 stores, 482 of which have pharmacies, throughout the southeast.

May 29, 2013
Domtar to expand personal care business with acquisition of Associated Hygienic Products

Domtar Corp. announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of privately-held Associated Hygienic Products, a manufacturer and supplier of store-brand infant diapers in the United States, from DSG International for $272 million.

MONTREAL — Domtar Corporation on Tuesday announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of privately-held Associated Hygienic Products, the largest manufacturer and supplier of store brand infant diapers in the United States, from DSG International for $272 million. The closing of the transaction is expected by the end of the second quarter of 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.

May 29, 2013
Study: Walmart, Safeway rank high on consumer charity donations

Cause Marketing Forum named America’s Checkout Charity Champions, a first-of-its-kind study ranking the largest consumer checkout donations in the U.S. last year.

CHICAGO — Cause Marketing Forum on Wednesday named America’s Checkout Charity Champions, a first-of-its-kind study ranking the largest consumer checkout donations in the United States last year.

May 28, 2013
Advancing pharmacy management service

Pharmacy Intelligence applies application-based data analytics, computer-animated graphic process simulation and Lean Six Sigma principles to enable a new level of more advanced modeling and forecasting.

Like drinking from a fire hose. That’s one way some pharmacy retailers might describe their efforts to manage the flood of data unleashed every day by their prescription dispensing operations. The goal: to turn that data flow into actionable information they can use to better manage pharmacy workflow and staff resources, boost profitability, reduce customer wait times and make more informed decisions about the capital every retail pharmacy must allocate to technology and staffing.

May 28, 2013
Allscripts names new general counsel, adds board members

Allscripts has announced additions to its senior leadership team and board of directors.

CHICAGO — Allscripts has announced additions to its senior leadership team and board of directors. 

Brian Farley has joined the company as SVP, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective May 28.  In addition, Allscripts added to its board Anita Pramoda and Michael Klayko, whose terms began May 21, 2013.

May 28, 2013
Kroger announces retirement of mid-south division president John Hackett

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 28, 2013
Walmart launches Veterans Commitment, plans to hire 100,000 over next five years

Walmart has announced the launch of the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment to offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty, and projects to hire more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has announced the launch of the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment to offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty, and projects to hire more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years.

"Hiring a veteran can be one of the best business decisions you make," stated Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO and U.S. Navy Veteran. "We believe Walmart is already the largest private employer of veterans in the country, and we want to hire more."

May 23, 2013
Cardinal Health recognized as Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award

Cardinal Health received the National Business Group on Health Platinum Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award for its ongoing commitment to promoting a healthy workplace and encouraging employees and their families to pursue and maintain healthy lifestyles.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health received the National Business Group on Health Platinum Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award for its ongoing commitment to promoting a healthy workplace and encouraging employees and their families to pursue and maintain healthy lifestyles.

May 23, 2013
CVS Caremark supporting tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma, Texas

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark, will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support the organization's tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma and Texas, the company announced on Thursday.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark, will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support the organization's tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma and Texas, the company announced on Thursday.  

In addition, the Charitable Trust will match tornado relief donations to the Red Cross from CVS Caremark's employees up to an additional $25,000, resulting in a potential combined donation from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark colleagues of at least $75,000.