Content about Michigan

February 4, 2013

Perrigo chairman, CEO and president Joe Papa shared with analysts that private label OTCs are trending strong and that growth will be sustained going forward with the number of projected Rx-to-OTCs on the horizon.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo chairman, CEO and president Joe Papa on Friday shared with analysts that private label OTCs are trending strong and that growth will be sustained going forward with the number of projected Rx-to-OTCs on the horizon. 

January 30, 2013

Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in California, the health insurer said.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in California, the health insurer said.

The Costco Personal Health Insurance program includes five plans and offers broad medical benefits, dental options and a large network of doctors and hospitals. The program also is available to members of the club retailer in Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Aetna plans to expand the program to other markets in the coming months.

January 29, 2013

Spartan Stores, a regional grocery distributor and retailer, has entered into a distribution agreement with Chief Super Market under which Spartan Stores will be its primary wholesale grocery supplier.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spartan Stores, a regional grocery distributor and retailer, has entered into a distribution agreement with Chief Super Market under which Spartan Stores will be its primary wholesale grocery supplier.

Chief operates 12 stores in Northwest and West Central Ohio under the Chief and Rays banners. Spartan Stores stated that it will assume distribution to all of Chief’s banners for grocery, dairy, frozen, bakery and other products in March.

January 28, 2013

Meijer's digital coupon program has reached 1 million subscribers, the mass merchandise chain said.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer's digital coupon program has reached 1 million subscribers, the mass merchandise chain said.

Meijer announced that the program, called mPerks, generated 101,000 new members, 13.7 million clipped offers and more than $5 million in savings in December.

January 25, 2013

Perrigo Nutritionals is introducing new packaging that the company said would make providing nutrition to infants more convenient.

GEORGIA, Vt. — Perrigo Nutritionals is introducing new packaging that the company said would make providing nutrition to infants more convenient.

January 23, 2013

A new study indicated that some parents may not be sufficiently concerned about misuse of narcotic painkillers by children and teenagers.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A new study indicated that some parents may not be sufficiently concerned about misuse of narcotic painkillers by children and teenagers.

January 22, 2013

Perrigo announced that it has begun shipments of over-the-counter nicotine polacrilex mini lozenge USP, 2 mg (mint flavor) and 4 mg (mint flavor), comparable to GlaxoSmithKline's Nicorette mini lozenge.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Tuesday announced that it has begun shipments of over-the-counter nicotine polacrilex mini lozenge USP, 2 mg (mint flavor) and 4 mg (mint flavor), comparable to GlaxoSmithKline's Nicorette mini lozenge. 

"This launch strengthens Perrigo's leading store brand position in smoking cessation products, which also includes coated and uncoated flavored gums and regular size lozenges," stated Joseph Papa, Perrigo's chairman, president and CEO. 

January 15, 2013

Meijer has appointed J.K. Symancyk as president of the company, the mass merchandise retailer said Tuesday.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer has appointed J.K. Symancyk as president of the company, the mass merchandise retailer said Tuesday.

Meijer said Symancyk's new role came one year after he assumed the role of COO, while Mark Murray has been appointed to the new position of co-CEO, serving with current CEO Hank Meijer. Symancyk's new position will officially begin Feb. 3.

December 28, 2012

Solidifying Perrigo’s leadership position in topical foam-based generic prescription pharmaceuticals, the company announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement and completed the acquisition of Cobrek Pharmaceuticals.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Solidifying Perrigo’s leadership position in topical foam-based generic prescription pharmaceuticals, the company announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement and completed the acquisition of Cobrek Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held, Chicago-based drug development company, for approximately $45 million.

December 27, 2012

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy announced that CEO and co-founder Phil Hagerman has been named one of 13 "Michiganders to Watch" by MLive Media Group, a collaborative network of local and statewide Michigan news outlets.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy on Thursday announced that CEO and co-founder Phil Hagerman has been named one of 13 "Michiganders to Watch" by MLive Media Group, a collaborative network of local and statewide Michigan news outlets. The MLive profile on Hagerman can be viewed here

December 14, 2012

Inc. magazine named Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy as one of the country's top 100 job creators as part of the business magazine's inaugural Hire Power Awards. Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy cracked the list at No. 94 with the addition of 233 new positions over the past three years and came in at No. 5 in the company's home state of Michigan.

But though the company comes in at No. 94 on 'Inc.''s list, measured up against the likes of IT Services juggernaut GoDaddy.com or the rapidly growing fast-food chain Colorado Smashburger, Diplomat Specialty is a bellwether all the same — specialty pharmacy is and will be the catalyst for growth in the retail pharmacy industry.

Inc. magazine named Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy as one of the country's top 100 job creators as part of the business magazine's inaugural Hire Power Awards. Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy cracked the list at No. 94 with the addition of 233 new positions over the past three years and came in at No. 5 in the company's home state of Michigan.

December 11, 2012

Aetna and Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions on Tuesday announced an evidence-based program designed to improve cancer care in Michigan.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Aetna and Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions on Tuesday announced an evidence-based program designed to improve cancer care in Michigan. This pathways initiative identifies clinical practices that improve cancer treatment and make it more affordable.

December 10, 2012

Kellogg has introduced a series of new breakfast food products, the company said Monday.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg has introduced a series of new breakfast food products, the company said Monday.

December 7, 2012

Inc. magazine has named Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy as one of the country's top 100 job creators, the privately owned company said.

FLINT, Mich. — Inc. magazine has named Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy as one of the country's top 100 job creators, the privately owned company said.

December 5, 2012

Even though many baby care products are manufactured "BPA-free," researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that bisphenol A, a chemical used in many consumer products, including plastic bottles and metal food and beverage cans, is common in fetal liver tissue, demonstrating that there is considerable exposure to the chemical during pregnancy.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Even though many baby care products are manufactured "BPA-free," researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that bisphenol A, a chemical used in many consumer products, including plastic bottles and metal food and beverage cans, is common in fetal liver tissue, demonstrating that there is considerable exposure to the chemical during pregnancy.

November 29, 2012

Ferndale Healthcare is looking to help beauty mavens banish blemishes — and shine — with its OC8 Adult Acne Treatment Gel, which hit the market this fall.


FERNDALE, Mich. — Ferndale Healthcare is looking to help beauty mavens banish blemishes — and shine — with its OC8 Adult Acne Treatment Gel, which hit the market this fall.


November 28, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug from Perrigo and Cobrek Pharmaceuticals for treating scalp conditions.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug from Perrigo and Cobrek Pharmaceuticals for treating scalp conditions.

Perrigo said that Cobrek, with which it is partnering, had received approval for betamethasone validate foam in the 0.12% strength. The drug is a generic version of Luxiq foam, made by GlaxoSmithKline subsidiary Stiefel Labs, and is used to treat corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions of the scalp, also known as scalp psoriasis.

The branded version of the drug has annual sales of about $40 million, according to Perrigo.

November 16, 2012

Kellogg on Thursday announced a lineup of innovative additions to its most successful brands for 2013, featuring new flavors and healthier options for snacking.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Kellogg on Thursday announced a lineup of innovative additions to its most successful brands for 2013, featuring new flavors and healthier options for snacking.

"We are building off these [snack] brands with new products that reflect our deep understanding of people's evolving taste preferences and nutrition needs," said Alan Gravely, SVP marketing and innovation for Kellogg Snacks.

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.

November 15, 2012

Two new wooden toys that won a contest sponsored by Midwestern mass merchandiser Meijer will be featured exclusively on the retailer's website, the company said Thursday.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two new wooden toys that won a contest sponsored by Midwestern mass merchandiser Meijer will be featured exclusively on the retailer's website, the company said Thursday.

Meijer announced the winners of the Meijer Next Great Toymaker contest: Franklin, N.C.-based Circa Toys' Wagon of Blocks and Goshen, Ind.-based Peters' Group's Stick & Stack Cozy Cabin. The Wagon of Blocks, which sells for $69.99, is designed for children ages 1 to 3 years, while the Cozy Cabin, at $44.99, is for children ages 4 to 8 years.

November 13, 2012

A company that makes disposable flossers is giving away $40,000 in a contest to mark the 40 years the product has been available.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A company that makes disposable flossers is giving away $40,000 in a contest to mark the 40 years the product has been available.

Plackers, which credits itself as the maker of the first disposable flosser, said people could buy specially marked packages of Plackers flossers, including Micro Mint, Gentle Fine, Twin-Line and GentleSlide and enter to win the grand prize. Other prize winners will receive an Apple iPad, iPod Nano or a year's supply of flossers.

November 8, 2012

A rapidly growing specialty pharmacy company in Michigan is about to experience another spurt.

FLINT, Mich. — A rapidly growing specialty pharmacy company in Michigan is about to experience another spurt.

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy said it had an immediate need to fill 100 full-time jobs, primarily in patient care coordination, order entry and customer service, but including 10 to 15 positions in areas like nursing, five in sales and account management, and 10 to 15 in technology areas like programming, quality analysis, data modeling and data architecture.

November 8, 2012

Business for OTC store brands is expected to boom in the coming year, Perrigo chairman and CEO Joseph Papa told analysts discussing the private-label manufacturer's first quarter results during a conference call Wednesday, even as the growth rate across the entire OTC category slows.

ALLEGAN. Mich. — Business for OTC store brands is expected to boom in the coming year, Perrigo chairman and CEO Joseph Papa told analysts discussing the private-label manufacturer's first-quarter results during a conference call Wednesday, even as the growth rate across the entire OTC category slows. "What we are seeing though, is the continued acceleration of store brand as being the reason why we're seeing the growth in our OTC category. For us to have a 9.4% growth in our OTC category, we think is a strong indication," Papa said. 

November 2, 2012

Ranir, a maker of consumer oral and personal healthcare products, is unveiling its rebranding at the PLMA’s 2012 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago Nov. 10 to 13.



GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Ranir, a maker of consumer oral and personal healthcare products, is unveiling its rebranding at the PLMA’s 2012 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago Nov. 10 to 13.



November 1, 2012

Meijer is offering discounts on more than 400 toys at stores and online in anticipation of the holiday season as many customers are likely to want to keep prices down, the Midwestern mass-merchandise chain said Thursday.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Meijer is offering discounts on more than 400 toys at stores and online in anticipation of the holiday season as many customers are likely to want to keep prices down, the Midwestern mass-merchandise chain said Thursday.

The chain also plans to release a holiday gift guide that includes 18 pages of toys and an online release of its list of its top 25 toys. The toy discounts include toys in “virtually every” category, ranging from action figures to educational toys.