Content about North Carolina

May 20, 2013

Kerr Drug introduces Simplify My Meds synchronized-prescription program

Kerr Drug has introduced a new prescription-synchronization service, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has introduced a new prescription-synchronization service, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Kerr, a regional chain based in Raleigh, N.C., announced the introduction of the new Simplify My Meds synchronized prescription refill service. The service uses the chain's new central-fill center in Kerr, and the company said it hoped the program would solidify customer loyalty by increasing convenience.

May 16, 2013

Revamped Food Lion stores to include cheaper private labels, fresher produce

Food Lion has revamped 178 of its stores and hired 800 new employees, the Delhaize Group-owned supermarket chain said.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has revamped 178 of its stores and hired 800 new employees, the Delhaize Group-owned supermarket chain said.

The company said the stores would offer an improved shopping experience — such as faster checkout service — fresher produce through the "Fresh from the Field" initiative and cheaper private label products. The changes were made to stores in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

May 10, 2013

OTC manufacturer takes BestCo as its new moniker

BestCo is the new name for BestSweet, a manufacturer, developer and marketer of consumer healthcare products.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — BestCo is the new name for BestSweet, a manufacturer, developer and marketer of consumer healthcare products.

The former moniker BestSweet was so named due to the company’s origins as a candy manufacturer. BestCo has since evolved to become one of the largest suppliers of cough drops, throat drops, soft chews, coated chews and other confectionery-based dosage forms for OTC drug products and dietary supplements, the company stated.

May 6, 2013

Harris Teeter raises more than $340,000 for JDRF

Harris Teeter on Monday donated more than $340,000 to JDRF, made possible thanks to contributions from Harris Teeter customers during the company’s recent point-of-purchase campaign.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Harris Teeter on Monday donated more than $340,000 to JDRF, made possible thanks to contributions from Harris Teeter customers during the company’s recent point-of-purchase campaign.

Harris Teeter hosted the point of purchase donation card campaign in March, during which time Harris Teeter customers were invited to make $1, $3 or $5 donations to JDRF at checkout.

May 2, 2013

Harris Teeter to open art-deco style supermarket in Charlotte by end of May

Harris Teeter on Wednesday announced its opening of a new store in Charlotte, N.C., with a grand opening celebration to be held May 29.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Harris Teeter on Wednesday announced its opening of a new store here, with a grand opening celebration to be held May 29.

May 1, 2013

Harris Teeter launches campaign to support both USO and Wounded Warrior Project

Harris Teeter on Wednesday launched a donation card campaign to support both the United Service Organizations and Wounded Warrior Project, two organizations committed to supporting America's troops and their families.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Harris Teeter on Wednesday launched a donation card campaign to support both the United Service Organizations and Wounded Warrior Project, two organizations committed to supporting America's troops and their families.

April 30, 2013

Family Dollar supply chain exec exits company

Family Dollar Stores on Monday announced Charles Gibson, EVP supply chain, will leave the company to pursue other interests effective April 30.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday announced Charles Gibson, EVP supply chain, will leave the company to pursue other interests effective April 30.

“Charlie has overseen the growth and development of our supply chain network and has been a valued part of our team,” stated Howard Levine, Family Dollar chairman and CEO. “We appreciate the contributions Charlie has made to the company’s success, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

April 15, 2013

Study finds relationship between higher vitamin D, lower risk of benign uterine tumors

Vitamin D significantly reduces women's risks of developing uterine fibroids, according to a new study.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Vitamin D significantly reduces women's risks of developing uterine fibroids, according to a new study.

April 12, 2013

Drug portfolio management teams devote more time, money to niche brands, study finds

Drug companies' pharmaceutical portfolio management teams spend most of their time and budgets supporting niche products, according to a new study.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Drug companies' pharmaceutical portfolio management teams spend most of their time and budgets supporting niche products, according to a new study.

April 11, 2013

Family Dollar Stores Q2 sales up 17.7%, but CEO expresses discretionary income concerns

Family Dollar Stores reported a net sales increase of 17.7% to $2.9 billion for the second quarter ended March 2.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Thursday reported a net sales increase of 17.7% to $2.9 billion for the second quarter ended March 2. Comparable stores were up 2.9%.

An extra week in the quarter contributed approximately $189 million in sales. Strong growth in tobacco, food and HBA contributed to a 26.6% lift across consumables, the dollar operator reported.

March 28, 2013

HRG to present CE session at Mutual Drug Spring CE Forum

Hamacher Resource Group has been invited to present a continuing education session, “Bottom Line Performance: Opportunities and Actions,” at the Mutual Drug Spring CE Forum on April 7 in Raleigh, N. C., the company announced.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group has been invited to present a continuing education session, “Bottom Line Performance: Opportunities and Actions,” at the Mutual Drug Spring CE Forum on April 7 in Raleigh, N.C., the company announced today.

March 26, 2013

Family Dollar creates SVP merchandise operations

Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Scott Zucker to the newly created position of SVP merchandise operations.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Scott Zucker to the newly created position of SVP merchandise operations. Zucker will be responsible for driving the strategy and execution of merchandise initiatives, category management, merchandise planning and replenishment.

March 19, 2013

MTM message breaks through in Congress

Last week, I wrote about Medication Therapy Management and a new bill in the House of Representatives to expand the pool of patients who qualify for MTM programs through Medicare. This week, I’m writing about – wait for it – medication therapy management.

Why? Because MTM is important, vitally important, to the future of community pharmacy, and one of the key health and prevention services that will define the profession in the era of health reform and evidence-based health care.

Last week, I wrote about medication therapy management and a new bill in the House of Representatives to expand the pool of patients who qualify for MTM programs through Medicare. This week, I’m writing about — wait for it — medication therapy management.

March 18, 2013

Harris Teeter Together in Education donates more than $385,000

Harris Teeter Together in Education donated more than $385,000 to participating TIE schools during the second of three payouts of the 2012/2013 school year, raising the program total to $18.7 million since 1998.

Charlotte, N.C. — Harris Teeter Together in Education (TIE) on Monday donated more than $385,000 to participating TIE schools during the second of three payouts of the 2012/2013 school year, raising the program total to $18.7 million since 1998.

March 15, 2013

NACDS endorses bipartisan Senate bill to expand MTM services for seniors

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores applauded the introduction of S. 557, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013, introduced yesterday by U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., along with the support of original cosponsors U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Al Franken, D-Minn., Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today applauded the introduction of S. 557, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013, introduced yesterday by U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., along with the support of original cosponsors U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Al Franken, D-Minn., Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. The legislation seeks to expand access to MTM services for senior citizens enrolled in the Medicare program.

March 15, 2013

NACDS RxImpact Day comes at a critical time for industry

Hundreds of community pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and other pharmacy advocates representing 41,000 chain pharmacies took to Capitol Hill last week for the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day and conducted more than 400 meetings with U.S. senators and representatives.

With implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2014, Congress desperately needs to hear from a stakeholder that can actually save the system money. There is growing awareness on the Hill that for every $1 invested in MTM, you save $10 to $12 — the bill introduced this week by Sens. Pat Roberts and Kay Hagan to expand MTM is a strong demonstration of that.

March 15, 2013

Sens. Pat Roberts and Kay Hagan introduce legislation to expand MTM access

U.S. Senators Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Kay Hagan, D-N.C., introduced legislation written to lower healthcare costs by helping more seniors better manage their prescriptions.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Pat Roberts, R-Kan. and Kay Hagan, D-N.C. on Thursday introduced legislation written to lower healthcare costs by helping more seniors better manage their prescriptions. The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act will allow seniors with any high-cost chronic illness to review all their medication and develop a plan of action with a pharmacist.

March 12, 2013

Congress addresses the elephant in the room: Cost savings yielded by pharmacy-based MTM

A 12-to-1 return on investment. That’s what researchers in Minnesota estimated public and private health plan payers can get when they pay pharmacists to provide medication therapy management.

March 8, 2013

Insurers turn to retail, urgent care clinics to keep members out of emergency rooms

Shifting patients away from hospital emergency rooms and into retail-based and urgent care walk-in clinics can significantly lower healthcare costs, improve access to care and reduce the impact of such chronic diseases as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, two health benefits experts asserted in a recent online presentation.

March 6, 2013

HRG co-owner to present session on front-end business to pharmacy students

Hamacher Resource Group will present a session about pharmacy layout, design and OTC merchandising principles to first-year students at Campbell University's pharmacy school, the retail consumer healthcare industry market research firm said Wednesday.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group will present a session about pharmacy layout, design and OTC merchandising principles to first-year students at Campbell University's pharmacy school, the retail consumer healthcare industry market research firm said Wednesday.

March 6, 2013

Nexafed gains distribution in Kerr Drug

Acura Pharmaceuticals announced that its next-generation pseudoephedrine with abuse-deterrent technology will now be stocked by North Carolina's Kerr Drug.

PALATINE, Ill. — Acura Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced that its next-generation pseudoephedrine with abuse-deterrent technology will now be stocked by North Carolina's Kerr Drug.

Nexafed is a 30 mg immediate-release pseudoephedrine product that combines effective nasal-congestion relief with a unique technology that disrupts the conversion of pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine, Acura noted.

March 5, 2013

Senators encourage GAO to investigate ways to collaborate on prescription drug abuse

Several senators have requested that the Government Accountability Office look for ways to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement and public health agencies at various levels and nonprofit organizations to address prescription drug abuse.

WASHINGTON — Several senators have requested that the Government Accountability Office look for ways to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement and public health agencies at various levels and nonprofit organizations to address prescription drug abuse.

March 5, 2013

The Ledger: Publix not interested in Harris Teeter acquisition

While Publix has been tied to rumors it may put in a bid for Harris Teeter, local daily The Ledger on Monday reported that Publix isn't at all interested.

LAKELAND, Fla. — While Publix has been tied to rumors it may put in a bid for Harris Teeter, local daily The Ledger on Monday reported that Publix isn't at all interested.

Publix is in the midst of its first expansion into North Carolina, with plans to open two stores in the Charlotte area in 2014.

Officials with Harris Teeter recently confirmed that the 208-store chain will consider offers from potential buyers.

March 1, 2013

Bloomberg: Publix, Royal Ahold may both make bid for Harris Teeter

Publix may join Royal Ahold later this month in making a bid for the more than 200 Harris Teeter supermarkets, according to a report published Friday by Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the situation.

NEW YORK — Publix may join Royal Ahold later this month in making a bid for the more than 200 Harris Teeter supermarkets, according to a report published Friday by Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the situation.

Virginia and North Carolina would represent new markets for Publix if the Florida-based grocer acquired Harris Teeter. Publix has already marked North Carolina for expansion with plans to open two stores in the state in 2014.

March 1, 2013

Krispy Kreme introduces Glazed Banana Kreme Pies

Krispy Kreme on Thursday announced the introduction of Glazed Banana Kreme Pies, available for a limited time at select mass merchants, grocery and convenience stores.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme on Thursday announced the introduction of Glazed Banana Kreme Pies, available for a limited time at select mass merchants, grocery and convenience stores.