Content about Pennsylvania

March 22, 2013
Boiron owner publishes homeopathy desktop reference

Boiron founder Michèle Boiron recently published a book on homeopathy for healthcare professionals titled "Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care," the company announced.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Boiron owner Michèle Boiron recently published a book on homeopathy for healthcare professionals titled "Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care," the company announced. In April 2013, she and co-author François Roux will host lectures in Philadelphia and New York. 

March 22, 2013
Senators introduce bill restricting sale of DXM cough-relieving ingredient to adults

Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark., on Friday introduced the Preventing Abuse of Cough Treatments Act of 2013, which would require retailers to restrict the sale of dextromethorphan-containing products to adults.

WASHINGTON — Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark., on Friday introduced the Preventing Abuse of Cough Treatments Act of 2013, which would require retailers to restrict the sale of dextromethorphan-containing products to adults. The bill also would restrict the sale of raw, bulk DXM to FDA-approved entities. 

Many retailers have age restrictions on the sale of DXM products already in place; and similar legislation to this has been enforced in California since 2012. 

March 20, 2013
Rite Aid raises record-breaking amount for Children's Miracle Network

Rite Aid raised $5.9 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in 2012, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid raised $5.9 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in 2012, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company said the amount marked a record and was 41% higher than the year before. Rite Aid has supported the organization for 18 years, and the money funds critical care, research and equipment at 95 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in communities served by Rite Aid.

March 19, 2013
Walgreens, Alliance Boots announce blockbuster partnership with AmerisourceBergen

Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced Tuesday as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler. Walgreens will begin sourcing generic medicines from AmerisourceBergen beginning in the calendar year 2014.  

March 18, 2013
Rite Aid expands Easter, spring product selections

Rite Aid is stocking Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is stocking Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

The 4,623-store chain said items at its stores included chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, SweeTarts, Ducks & Bunnies, Cadbury Eggs and other candy brands, as well as baskets and other accessories.

In addition, the company is selling such gardening supplies as planters, figurines, bird feeders, wind chimes and outdoor fountains and lighting, including solar-powered devices.

 

March 15, 2013
NCPA gets behind collective bargaining bill

The National Community Pharmacists Association endorsed H.R. 1188, legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Judy Chu, D-Calif., that would allow independent community pharmacies to collectively negotiate.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday endorsed H.R. 1188, legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Judy Chu, D-Calif. The bill will allow independent community pharmacies to collectively negotiate the terms and conditions of insurance contracts they must sign, typically with pharmacy benefit managers that administer prescription drug plans. 

March 14, 2013
Mignola promoted to SVP store operations at Weis Markets

Earlier in the week Weis Markets promoted Mike Mignola to SVP store operations, reporting to Weis president and CEO David Hepfinger.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Earlier in the week Weis Markets promoted Mike Mignola to SVP store operations, reporting to Weis president and CEO David Hepfinger. He will continue to manage day-to-day operations for the grocer. 

Mignola had been named VP store operations in 2011. 

March 13, 2013
Weis Markets re-ups CEO contract with new five-year term

Weis Markets has re-upped president and CEO David Hepfinger's contract with a new five-year deal, according to an 8-K filing made Wednesday.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets has re-upped president and CEO David Hepfinger's contract with a new five-year deal, according to an 8-K filing made Wednesday. 

The new contract is retroactive to March 1 and supersedes Hepfinger's previous contract enacted March 1, 2010. 

Weis shares were up slightly by 26 cents to $41.02 in mid-morning trading.

March 12, 2013
Wellspan Health, Voiceport collaborate on improved medication adherence

VoicePort announced a finalized agreement to deploy their services with WellSpan Health, a new client located in York, Pennsylvania, offering a vast array of inpatient, outpatient, home health and physician services.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — VoicePort today announced a finalized agreement to deploy their services with WellSpan Health, a new client located in York, Pa., offering a vast array of inpatient, outpatient, home health and physician services.

The company will install two of VoicePort's patient solutions: PharmaRemind patient notifications and Meducation prescription translation, education and written instruction service. Both innovative solutions will enter Wellspan Health's pharmacy work-flow in pursuit of delivering improved medication adherence for their pharmacy patients.

March 8, 2013
At-home tests grow in popularity

The landmark launch of Orasure Technologies' OraQuick In-Home HIV test last year was a key driver behind the 5.4% growth in the home-test kit category for the 12 weeks ended Dec. 30 across U.S. multi-outlets, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The landmark launch of Orasure Technologies' OraQuick In-Home HIV test last year was a key driver behind the 5.4% growth in the home-test kit category for the 12 weeks ended Dec. 30 across U.S. multi-outlets, according to SymphonyIRI Group data. The HIV test contributed $1 million in purely incremental sales to the total $15.5 million in category sales.

March 7, 2013
Rite Aid comps decrease 3.6% as same-store prescription count increases 0.3%

Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Front-end comps attributable to flu-related OTC products were flat, while pharmacy comps included a negative effect of 695 basis points from new generic introductions. Same-store prescription count increased 0.3%, including a 0.1% decrease attributable to flu shots and prescription flu drugs.

March 5, 2013
Weis Markets adjusted net income up 13.9% for fiscal 2012

Weis Markets on Tuesday reported net income of $82.5 million for the 52-week period ended Dec. 29.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Tuesday reported net income of $82.5 million for the 52-week period ended Dec. 29. Even with one less week of sales, that's up 9.2% versus fiscal 2011, which was a 53-week period, the grocer noted. Sales were down slightly by 1.9% to $2.7 billion compared with the week-longer year-ago period. Comparable sales were down 2%. 

Adjusting for the 52-week to 53-week comparison, the grocer's 2012 net income increased 13.9% while sales and comparable store sales were flat.

March 1, 2013
Rite Aid expands NowClinic telehealth service to additional markets

Rite Aid has expanded its telemedicine service to 58 more stores, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has expanded its telemedicine service to 58 more stores, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

Rite Aid said the NowClinic Online Care service were available at stores in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The service gives customers access to care, via a secure online video connection, from OptumHealth doctors and nurses. The company originally unveiled the program at nine stores in Detroit in 2011.

February 28, 2013
Rite Aid Foundation awards $15,000 for Ala. vision-screening program

Rite Aid's philanthropic arm has donated $15,000 to an organization that works with universities to develop social-justice projects.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's philanthropic arm has donated $15,000 to an organization that works with universities to develop social justice projects.

The Rite Aid Foundation announced the donation of the grant to Impact Alabama, based in Birmingham, Ala., which plans to use the grant to expand FocusFirst, a vision-screening program for children in Head Start classrooms and lower-income daycares across the state. The foundation previously awarded the group $15,000 in 2010.

February 27, 2013
Rite Aid announces winners of Favorite Pharmacy Team Member contest

Rite Aid announced the two winners of the 2012 Favorite Pharmacy Team Member contest: a pharmacy technician from Ada, Ohio, and a long-time customer of the Birmingham, Mich., store.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced the two winners of the 2012 Favorite Pharmacy Team Member contest: a pharmacy technician from Ada, Ohio, and a long-time customer of the Birmingham, Mich., store. Both were selected at random from more than 13,000 entries in the annual contest honoring Rite Aid's pharmacy team members for their commitment to customer care and service.

February 26, 2013
Merlo touts advances in pharmacy care at Pittsburgh luncheon

CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo presented a $50,000 check Tuesday to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before attending a luncheon sponsored by the Economic Club of Pittsburgh.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo presented a $50,000 check Tuesday to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before attending a luncheon sponsored by the Economic Club of Pittsburgh.

February 22, 2013
Rite Aid finishes debt-refinancing transactions

Rite Aid has completed a series of debt financing transactions it announced recently, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has completed a series of debt financing transactions it announced recently, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The transactions were meant to extend the maturity of a portion of the retailer's debt and lower its interest expenses.

February 21, 2013
FDA approves new vial size for Privigen

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new vial size for a drug made by CSL Behring to treat a bleeding disorder and an immune disorder, the company said.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new vial size for a drug made by CSL Behring to treat a bleeding disorder and an immune disorder, the company said Thursday.

February 21, 2013
Rite Aid to present N.J. first lady with nearly $280,000 in hurricane-relief money

New Jersey first lady and chairwoman of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Mary Pat Christie will visit a Point Pleasant, N.J., Rite Aid store on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with Rite Aid executives to receive money for the fund, Rite Aid said Thursday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — New Jersey first lady and chairwoman of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Mary Pat Christie will visit a Point Pleasant, N.J., Rite Aid store on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with Rite Aid executives to receive money for the fund, Rite Aid said Thursday.

February 20, 2013
Troy Healthcare inks Stopain sponsorship deal with AFL's Philadelphia Soul

Troy Healthcare signed a sponsorship agreement with the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul for the 2013 season.

HAZELTON, Pa. — Troy Healthcare on Wednesday signed a sponsorship agreement with the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul for the 2013 season.

February 19, 2013
Ahold USA donates $9 million in new funding to hunger-relief groups

The parent company of the Stop & Shop, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover supermarket chains is donating $9 million over three years to alleviate child hunger.

CARLISLE, Pa. — The parent company of the Stop & Shop, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover supermarket chains is donating $9 million over three years to alleviate child hunger.

Ahold USA said it would distribute the money in Fighting Child Hunger grants from its Our Family Foundation. The foundation has awarded grants to 21 regional food banks in areas served by the company's banners.

February 19, 2013
Weis Markets names new VP pharmacy

Weis Markets promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy.

SUNBURY, Pa. —  Weis Markets on Monday promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy. 

In his new position, Seipp will oversee the day-to-day merchandising, operation and management of Weis Markets’ 131 pharmacies. He will also oversee the company’s Lifestyle Initiatives’ team, which focuses on health and wellness issues.  

February 12, 2013
Tough new regulations for compounding pharmacies could be on the way, attorney says

Massachusetts and New Jersey lately have been cracking down on sterile compounding pharmacies alleged to violate safety regulations, but the crackdown may soon go nationwide, predicted a legal firm focused on the matter.

WASHINGTON — Massachusetts and New Jersey lately have been cracking down on sterile compounding pharmacies alleged to violate safety regulations, but the crackdown may soon go nationwide, predicted a legal firm focused on the matter.

LeClairRyan attorney Michael Ruggio said officials in several states were increasing scrutiny of compounding pharmacies in the wake of an outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center, which so far sickened 696 people and killed 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

February 8, 2013
Rite Aid provides update on debt refinancing

Rite Aid has updated the debt refinancing that it announced Jan. 31, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has updated the debt refinancing that it announced Jan. 31, the retail pharmacy chain said.

February 8, 2013
Target adds zest to 'tired' sleep category

Sleep as a category has been lights out of late.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Sleep as a category has been lights out of late. And while that may be bad for the NFL, it's great for retailers. Many retailers have already repositioned sleep off the bottom shelf and at eye level in their analgesic sets, but this Target in central Pennsylvania takes it one step further by calling out brand differentiators. It's one way to add zest to a "tired" category.