Content about Pennsylvania

February 1, 2011
Loyalty program under Montini’s tenure is a big plus for Rite Aid

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Tony Montini returned to Rite Aid just in time to help leverage what is becoming a very powerful Wellness+ loyalty card program that has cracked the code for the chain in terms of tying the front-end to the back bench by way of the patient. 


And while Montini returns to the retail ranks as SVP category management, he is well-prepared to make Wellness+ work gangbusters with the supplier community. His background is in corporate marketing with advertising agency Marc USA, where he was EVP and COO. 


February 1, 2011
Report: Pa. officials may limit Rx transfers among patients

Fears about the likelihood of medication errors have officials in Pennsylvania mulling the possibility of restrictions on patients transferring prescriptions from one pharmacy to another, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Fears about the likelihood of medication errors have officials in Pennsylvania mulling the possibility of restrictions on patients transferring prescriptions from one pharmacy to another, according to published reports.

CNBC reported Sunday that a rule recently put in place by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy that allows only one transfer per year had inspired Pennsylvania officials to consider a similar rule for their own state.

February 1, 2011
Yardley of London debuts two new scents, updates packaging

Yardley of London, the luxury bath products division of Lornamead, has announced the launch of two new scents for 2011. Pomegranate Rose and Cocoa Butter will join Yardley's line of moisturizing bath bars, which feature natural botanicals and essential oils.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Yardley of London, the luxury bath products division of Lornamead, has announced the launch of two new scents for 2011. Pomegranate rose and cocoa butter will join Yardley's line of moisturizing bath bars, which feature natural botanicals and essential oils.

January 31, 2011
Mylan looks to market generic Lidoderm

Mylan has announced its intention to market a version of a painkiller made by Endo Pharmaceuticals and partner company Teikoku Seiyaku ahead of patent expiration.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — Mylan has announced its intention to market a version of a painkiller made by Endo Pharmaceuticals and partner company Teikoku Seiyaku ahead of patent expiration.

Endo said Monday that Teikoku Seiyaku and U.S. subsidiary Teikoku Pharma USA had received a Paragraph IV certification from Mylan stating the latter’s intention to market a generic lidocaine topical patch. The drug is a generic version of Endo’s and Teikoku’s Lidoderm.

January 28, 2011
Weis declares quarterly dividend

Weis' board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 29 cents per share on Friday.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis' board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 29 cents per share on Friday.

The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of Feb. 7, payable on Feb. 21.

Weis operates 164 stores in five states.

January 27, 2011
Rite Aid's same-store sales get a boost

Rite Aid on Thursday morning posted a same-store sales increase of 1.1% for the four weeks ended Jan. 22, including a 2.2% lift across the front-end and growth of 0.6% in pharmacy comparable sales.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Thursday morning posted a same-store sales increase of 1.1% for the four weeks ended Jan. 22, including a 2.2% lift across the front-end and growth of 0.6% in pharmacy comparable sales.

Prescription count at comparable stores was flat compared with the prior-year period.

Total drug store sales were $1.9 billion, which is flat as compared with the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 69.1% of drug store sales, and third-party prescription revenue represented 93.3% of pharmacy sales.

January 25, 2011
Arctic Ease sponsors National Fallen Firefighters Foundation event

Arctic Ease on Tuesday announced its sponsorship of a fundraising event that will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20.

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. — Arctic Ease on Tuesday announced its sponsorship of a fundraising event that will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20.

The event will occur at and in conjunction with the Daytona 500, known as the "Great American Race."

January 25, 2011
Weis' Mignola gets promoted

Weis Markets recently promoted Mike Mignola to VP merchandising, according to published reports.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets recently promoted Mike Mignola to VP merchandising, according to published reports.

Mignola last year had been named regional VP, overseeing 66 Weis Markets locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

Mignola will report to SVP sales and merchandising Kurt Schertle.

January 24, 2011
Love is in the air with candies from Just Born

Just Born wants fans of its Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales brands to feel the love this Valentine's Day.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Just Born wants fans of its Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales brands to feel the love this Valentine's Day.

Peeps is getting a Valentine's Day makeover with Peeps chocolate-covered-raspberry-flavored marshmallow hearts, available in single-serve packages.

January 24, 2011
Rite Aid hearts Wellness+

Rite Aid on Monday introduced its annual national education and prevention campaign against heart disease in observation of American Heart Month in February.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Monday introduced its annual national education and prevention campaign against heart disease in observation of American Heart Month in February.

January 24, 2011
Rite Aid kicks off contest for Wellness+ members

Rite Aid on Monday sweetened the pot for those loyalty card members braving the cold and visiting the pharmacy in February.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Monday sweetened the pot for those loyalty card members braving the cold and visiting the pharmacy in February.

With the purchase of $100 or more of specially marked products throughout the store, Rite Aid’s Wellness+ cardholders can earn a $20 +Up Reward, and at the same time be automatically entered into a sweepstakes featuring more than $100,000 in prizes, as part of Rite Aid's new Winter Rewards Program through Feb. 26.

January 20, 2011
Hershey's takes chocolate to next level

Hershey is offering fans a new way to enjoy its iconic chocolate candies.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey is offering fans a new way to enjoy its iconic chocolate candies.

New Hershey's Drops, available in milk chocolate and cookies 'n creme flavors, are delicious bite-sized drops without the candy shell. Chocolate lovers now can enjoy on-the-go snacking without the mess, the company said.

Hershey's Drops will be sold nationwide in 8-oz. resealable, stand-up pouches. Also available are milk chocolate Hershey's Drops in king-size 2.1-oz. packs.

January 20, 2011
Thomas' Bagel Thins teams up with celebrity nutritionist

Thomas' Bagel Thins has teamed up with celebrity nutritionist Keri Glassman to promote healthy choices in 2011 and beyond.

HORSHAM, Pa. — Thomas' Bagel Thins has teamed up with celebrity nutritionist Keri Glassman to promote healthy choices in 2011 and beyond.

As part of the partnership, Glassman has created morning makeover tips and four original recipes, one for each Bagel Thins bagel variety, to help consumers find weight-loss success this new year. The tips and recipes also can be accessed at ThomasBagels.com.

January 17, 2011
B. Braun's wound management gel available for OTC use

B. Braun has launched its Prontosan wound management gel — a product used in the healthcare setting for cleaning wounds, as well as moistening and lubricating absorbent wound dressings — for over-the-counter use.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — B. Braun has launched its Prontosan wound management gel — a product used in the healthcare setting for cleaning wounds, as well as moistening and lubricating absorbent wound dressings — for over-the-counter use.

The ready-to-use gel contains PHMB and betaine, the surfactant for the cleansing and moistening of wounds. Its nontoxic and biocompatible formula also offers excellent skin tolerance, the company said.

January 14, 2011
Hershey's football sweepstakes scores touchdown among chocolate lovers

Hershey's is offering football and chocolate fans a chance to win a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey's is offering football and chocolate fans a chance to win a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

January 14, 2011
McNeil issues recall at wholesaler level

In consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Friday voluntarily recalled certain lots of Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol Arthritis Pain and Tylenol upper respiratory products, as well as certain lots of Benadryl, Sudafed PE and Sinutab products at the wholesale level.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — In consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Friday voluntarily recalled certain lots of Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol Arthritis Pain and Tylenol upper respiratory products, as well as certain lots of Benadryl, Sudafed PE and Sinutab products at the wholesale level.

January 14, 2011
ProPhase sponsors 'Cold-Eeze Skate for the Heart'

ProPhase Labs on Thursday announced its title sponsor of the "Cold-Eeze Skate for the Heart" show, airing on NBC stations Jan. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m., EST.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — ProPhase Labs on Thursday announced its title sponsor of the "Cold-Eeze Skate for the Heart" show, airing on NBC stations Jan. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m., EST.

"We are so proud to support these world-class skaters and the critical heart health cause," stated Ted Karkus, CEO of ProPhase Labs. "We are also huge fans of the amazing singers in the show."

January 12, 2011
Supermarket wine kiosks return to Pennsylvania retailers

Supermarket wine kiosks are being reintroduced into the Pennsylvania market in the coming week after being taken offline in the days before Christmas, according to a report published Monday in the Beaver County Times, a newspaper based in Beaver County and northwest of Pittsburgh.

BEAVER, Pa. — Supermarket wine kiosks are being reintroduced into the Pennsylvania market in the coming week after being taken offline in the days before Christmas, according to a report published Monday in the Beaver County Times, a newspaper based in Beaver County and northwest of Pittsburgh.

January 11, 2011
Hershey gives grant to Harrisburg University to create research lab

A university and a chocolate giant have joined forces to develop a sensory science and consumer research program.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A university and a chocolate giant have joined forces to develop a sensory science and consumer research program.

January 10, 2011
Endo receives complete response letter for crush-resistant Opana ER

The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve Endo Pharmaceuticals’ regulatory application for a painkiller designed to thwart drug abusers, Endo said Friday.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve Endo Pharmaceuticals’ regulatory application for a painkiller designed to thwart drug abusers, Endo said Friday.

January 6, 2011
No monkey business in 'boo-boo' game

Mom won’t need to monkey around looking for a bandage for her child’s “boo-boo” with this Medibuddy First Aid Kit To Go in her purse. The kit retails for a suggested $12.95. This one is on a pegboard at Babies "R" Us as part of the baby healthcare aisle.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Mom won’t need to monkey around looking for a bandage for her child’s “boo-boo” with this Medibuddy First Aid Kit To Go in her purse.

The kit retails for a suggested $12.95. This one is on a pegboard at Babies "R" Us as part of the baby healthcare aisle.

January 6, 2011
Opening of Intel's on-site medical center officially announced by Take Care

Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens and currently operates more than 370 worksite clinics nationwide, has officially announced the opening of a new on-site medical center at Intel's Jones Farm Campus in Hillsboro, Ore.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens and currently operates more than 370 worksite clinics nationwide, has officially announced the opening of a new on-site medical center at Intel's Jones Farm Campus in Hillsboro, Ore.

January 6, 2011
Testing blood glucose gets tech-savvy

Bayer Diabetes’ Contour USB, pictured here at CVS, may be ideal for those tech-savvy boomers just learning they have diabetes.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Bayer Diabetes’ Contour USB, pictured here at CVS, may be ideal for those tech-savvy boomers just learning they have diabetes. 

The monitor takes a blood-glucose reading at one end and can be inserted into the USB port of either a home computer or the laptop in the doctor’s office.

January 5, 2011
A grab-and-go lifestyle

YORK, Pa. — Lifestyle Foods’ new chilled grab-and-go line offers three lunch options and one breakfast option for consumers looking for quick, healthy meals. Meals in the soup-and-salad line — chicken noodle/Caesar salad, tomato basil/garden salad with light Italian dressing, and vegetarian vegetable/garden salad with light ranch dressing — are all less than 125 calories. The oatmeal kit comes with a fresh apple, raisins and turbinado sugar.


January 5, 2011
E-tablets find a home in drug stores, too

CVS has gotten the jump on what may become the craze for 2011 — e-tablets not called iPad.

LEBANON, Pa. — CVS has gotten the jump on what may become the craze for 2011 — e-tablets not called iPad.

About 80 tablets are to be featured at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show, according to a Washington Post report, as companies like Samsung, Toshiba and Motorola release their versions of the touch-screen wireless mini computer.