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April 29, 2011
Weis expands 2011 cap ex budget

Weis Markets on Thursday announced an increase of its 2011 capital expenditure budget by 7% to $110 million. The current budget includes 14 major remodels, two additions and three new/replacement stores.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Thursday announced an increase of its 2011 capital expenditure budget by 7% to $110 million. The current budget includes 14 major remodels, two additions and three new/replacement stores.

The company currently is building a replacement unit near Reading, a new unit near Easton and a replacement unit near State College, all in Pennsylvania.

April 27, 2011
Pantene introduces sustainable packaging for Nature Fusion products

Procter & Gamble’s Pantene hair care brand has started producing its new shampoo and conditioner bottles made primarily from plant-based plastic.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble’s Pantene hair care brand has started producing its new shampoo and conditioner bottles made primarily from plant-based plastic.

This material — a first for the hair care industry — is made from sugar cane and will be featured on the Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion collection. The new bottles initially will be launching in Western Europe with expansion plans to the rest of the world over the next two years.

April 25, 2011
Albertsons reaches out to kids, diabetics

Health and wellness is a major focus for grocer Albertsons, and that also holds true for its youngest of customers. 


Enter Healthy Kidz Club. 


April 25, 2011
Are coupon ‘extremists’ bad for business?

Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.


Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.


April 25, 2011
Cultivating Greek

NORWICH, N.Y. — Since word of mouth was the driving force behind the success of Chobani, it was a natural fit to feature actual users in its first major ad campaign this spring. The company also recently launched Chobani Champions, the first-ever Greek yogurt for kids. The smaller-portion, 3.5-oz. cup (100 calories) is available in two flavors: Honey-Nana and VeryBerry. Also new in the company’s core Chobani Greek yogurt line are lemon, mango and black cherry flavors.


April 25, 2011
CVS aims for growth behind new leader

With a new leader at the helm, a robust management team in place and an unwavering focus on driving medication adherence and reducing healthcare costs, CVS Caremark remains squarely on the growth path and continues to play an increasingly important role in U.S. health care with its far-reaching store network and arsenal of products and services.


April 25, 2011
Sam’s Club gunning for FDM market

Growing the health-and-wellness business remains a top priority for Sam’s Club as the warehouse club operator has identified those key categories as areas where it can demonstrate value, drive member loyalty and gain market share.


Sam’s has high expectations for health and wellness, along with food and consumables, as it looks to deliver on its brand promise of “savings made simple” and maintain the same-store sales momentum experienced throughout 2010 that culminated with a 2.7% gain in the fourth quarter.


April 20, 2011
Reshaping pharmacy amid a healthcare crisis

The budget crunch and pharmacy’s ability to help provide solutions to a fractured healthcare system are sure to be dominant themes at the NACDS Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., this year. As he prepared for the event, Steve Anderson, president and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, spoke at length with Drug Store News about the issues he’ll address at the conference, the organization’s current priorities and his outlook for 2011.

Since taking the reins at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores four years ago, Steve Anderson has reshaped the organization and led an aggressive — and quite successful — campaign to raise pharmacy’s profile and give it a bigger stake in reshaping the overwrought healthcare system.

April 12, 2011
Hungry Jack's hash browns arrive at grocery stores

Hungry Jack is bringing its home-style hash browns to major grocery chains nationwide.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Hungry Jack is bringing its home-style hash browns to major grocery chains nationwide.

New Hungry Jack premium hash brown potatoes, from 100% Idaho potatoes, allow consumers to enjoy hash brown potatoes at home in four steps. Hungry Jack premium hash brown potatoes come fully cooked and seasoned and require no refrigeration, the company said.

Hungry Jack premium hash brown potatoes are available at such retailers as Walmart, H-E-B, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Food Lion, Albertsons and Super Target for about $1.79 per carton.

April 8, 2011
Lance rolls out Cracker Creations

Lance is getting creative with its sandwich crackers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lance is getting creative with its sandwich crackers.

New Cracker Creations feature vegetables, cheese or herbs baked right into the cracker and currently are available in garden vegetable and parmesan herb varieties. The crackers also tout a real cream cheese filling, Lance said.

Cracker Creations are available at major grocery retailers and Walmart with a suggested retail of $2.99.

April 8, 2011
Walgreens installs electric ‘fuel’ stations in second Texas market

Walgreens on Friday helped launch the nation’s first privately funded and comprehensive electric vehicle charging network with an initial station at the Walgreens drug store at Belt Line Road and Montfort Drive in Dallas.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday helped launch the nation’s first privately funded and comprehensive electric vehicle charging network with an initial station at the Walgreens drug store at Belt Line Road and Montfort Drive in Dallas.

The drug store retailer is working with NRG Energy to install high-powered rapid charging eVgo Freedom Stations at 18 locations across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

March 29, 2011
Changing Medicare eligibility age shifts costs to employers, younger seniors

Raising Medicare’s eligibility age from 65 to 67 years in 2014 would generate an estimated $7.6 billion in net savings to the federal government, but also would result in an estimated net increase of $5.6 billion in out-of-pocket costs for 65- and 66-year-olds, as well as $4.5 billion in employer retiree healthcare costs, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation projection of the potential change suggested by several deficit-reduction plans.

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Raising Medicare’s eligibility age from 65 to 67 years in 2014 would generate an estimated $7.6 billion in net savings to the federal government, but also would result in an estimated net increase of $5.6 billion in out-of-pocket costs for 65- and 66-year-olds, as well as $4.5 billion in employer retiree healthcare costs, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation projection of the potential change suggested by several deficit-reduction plans.

March 24, 2011
Got OTC?

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association may not be painting pink Pepto-Bismol mustaches on a group of Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes as part of the new campaign it plans to fully unveil in June, but the goal is more or less the same as the “Got Milk?” ads.

“Got milk?” has become ubiquitous. There is 100% clarity of message. The milk mustache says it all: Milk is an essential food and an integral part of a healthy diet; it HAS TO BE in your refrigerator, on your breakfast table and in your lunch box.

March 15, 2011
Dove celebrates manhood during NCAA tourney

Unilever, the maker of Dove Men+Care, is celebrating the launch of its new Dove Men+Care antiperspirants/deodorants and Sensitive Clean personal wash by inking a corporate partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever, the maker of Dove Men+Care, is celebrating the launch of its new Dove Men+Care antiperspirants/deodorants and Sensitive Clean personal wash by inking a corporate partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

March 15, 2011
Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care expands lineup

Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care has announced the launch of two new products: Plump Up and Major Body.

NEW YORK — Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care has announced the launch of two new products: Plump Up and Major Body.

March 11, 2011
Magnacca's role at WAG expands

Walgreens has expanded Joseph Magnacca's role at the drug store chain by appointing him president of daily living products and solutions.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has expanded Joseph Magnacca's role at the drug store chain by appointing him president of daily living products and solutions.

February 23, 2011
Forest to acquire Clinical Data

Drug maker Forest Labs plans to acquire the developer of a recently approved antidepressant.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Forest Labs plans to acquire the developer of a recently approved antidepressant.

Forest announced that it would pay $1.2 billion, or $30 per share, to acquire Clinical Data, saying the acquisition would give it control of the drug Viibryd (vilazodone hydrochloride), a treatment for major depressive disorder in adults that won Food and Drug Administration approval last month. The agreement also includes up to $6 per share in addition for milestones related to Viibryd.

February 23, 2011
Joe Mauer named latest Head & Shoulders brand ambassador

Procter & Gamble's Head & Shoulders brand has welcomed Minnesota Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer as its newest brand ambassador.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's Head & Shoulders brand has welcomed Minnesota Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer as its newest brand ambassador.

The brand ambassador team also includes Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, Troy Polamalu.

Mauer will be featured in an integrated marketing campaign that will include traditional advertising, public relations, a dedicated Head & Shoulders for Men Facebook fan page, in-store displays at major retailers and a consumer engagement movement set to launch in July.

February 9, 2011
CHI develops retail hair care line

CHI Rx Moisture Therapy with 3DS complex, the first line of retail hair care products from CHI Home, is slated to hit major retailers in April.

HOUSTON — CHI Rx Moisture Therapy with 3DS complex, the first line of retail hair care products from CHI Home, is slated to hit major retailers in April.

The hair care line is enriched with keratin and fortified with silk to reflect light from all angles resulting in three-dimensional shine, the company stated.

January 24, 2011
Viibryd gets FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating major depressive disorder, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating major depressive disorder, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Viibryd (vilazodone hydrochloride), made by New Haven, Conn.-based PGxHealth.

January 21, 2011
Forest Labs announces phase-3 trial results for depression drug

A drug for major depressive disorder worked better than placebo, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Thursday.

NEW YORK — A drug for major depressive disorder worked better than placebo, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Thursday.

U.S. drug maker Forest Labs and French drug maker Pierre Fabre Medicament said that while the overall difference between patients treated with levomilnacipran and those treated with the placebo was not statistically significant, the drug consistently demonstrated improvement relative to the placebo over the course of the phase-3 trial.

January 21, 2011
Post kicks off tour

Post Foods is inviting consumers to “join the whole-grain resolution” with its latest campaign.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Post Foods is inviting consumers to “join the whole-grain resolution” with its latest campaign.

The cereal company said it is bringing an interactive tractor display to several major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Tampa, San Diego and Orlando throughout January and February. The goal: to teach consumers why ingredients in such cereals as Post Shredded Wheat, Grape-Nuts and Post Raisin Bran give you an advantage in the morning.

January 20, 2011
New aspirin formulation may be easier on stomach, GI tract

A recent clinical trial involving a new drug formulation incorporating aspirin with soy-derived phosphatidylcholine found that the drug combination significantly can reduce irritation to the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract.

HOUSTON — A recent clinical trial involving a new drug formulation incorporating aspirin with soy-derived phosphatidylcholine found that the drug combination significantly can reduce irritation to the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract.

January 20, 2011
Vertex's hepatitis C drug granted priority review by FDA, Health Canada

The Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have granted priority review to a drug for treating hepatitis C.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have granted priority review to a drug for treating hepatitis C.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced Thursday that the two agencies had given the designation to telaprevir for treating patients with chronic infections.

January 13, 2011
Study: Healthcare companies think REMS in need of major overhaul

Various companies in the healthcare industry are uncertain about the benefits of the Food and Drug Administration’s risk evaluation and mitigation strategy program, and most think it needs a major overhaul, according to a study by the Tufts University Center for the Study of Drug Development.

BOSTON — Various companies in the healthcare industry are uncertain about the benefits of the Food and Drug Administration’s risk evaluation and mitigation strategy program, and most think it needs a major overhaul, according to a study by the Tufts University Center for the Study of Drug Development.

The CSDD called the study the first systematic look at REMS since the FDA introduced the program in 2008. The FDA requires drug companies to create a REMS when the agency decides it is necessary to ensure that a drug’s benefits outweigh its risks.