Content about People in the News

April 22, 2013
Costco employee injured in Boston attack has insurance, company says

In one of the most disturbingly iconic images to emerge from the recent terrorist attack in Boston, a runner who lost both legs in the blast is shown being rushed away by wheelchair.

NEW YORK — In one of the most disturbingly iconic images to emerge from the recent terrorist attack in Boston, a runner who lost both legs in the blast is shown being rushed away by wheelchair.

That runner, it turns out, is 27-year-old Costco Wholesale employee Jeff Bauman of New Hampshire. Following reports that Bauman was uninsured, based on comments a relative had made to a reporter, Costco took to Twitter to remind readers that he does, in fact, have insurance through the company.

April 22, 2013
NACDS announces 2013-2014 officers, welcomes new members to executive committee, board

During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting today, the association elected the new officers, two new executive committee members and four new board of directors members for the coming year.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting today, the association elected the new officers, two new executive committee members and four new board of directors members for the coming year.

Robert Narveson, president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, was elected as the new NACDS chairman of the board of directors, succeeding Gregory Wasson, president and CEO of Walgreens.

April 22, 2013
NACDS Foundation announces five new board members

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced the election of five new members to its board of directors.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced the election of five new members to its board of directors. Victor Curtis, SVP pharmacy of Costco Wholesale; Jon Giacomin, president of U.S. pharmaceutical distribution for the pharmaceutical group of Cardinal Health; John Poulin, director of professional relations of Lilly USA; Todd Tillemans, president of customer development at Unilever; and Richard Tremonte, VP sales and marketing of the U.S.

April 22, 2013
NCPA announces Dispose My Meds student video competition winner

As the nation celebrates the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, the National Community Pharmacists Association announced that the student team from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy won its recent student video competition on the Dispose My Meds program.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As the nation celebrates the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, the National Community Pharmacists Association today announced that the student team from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy won its recent student video competition on the Dispose My Meds program. The winning team will receive $250, courtesy of the Community Pharmacy Foundation, for their school’s NCPA chapter. The winning video can be viewed on NCPA’s Facebook page.

April 22, 2013
Stephanie Narveson welcomes attendees to NACDS luncheon

Stephanie Narveson, wife of Bob Narveson, incoming NACDS chairman and president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, welcomed attendees of the NACDS luncheon for spouses and companions.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Stephanie Narveson, wife of Bob Narveson, incoming NACDS chairman and president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, welcomed attendees of the NACDS luncheon for spouses and companions.

April 21, 2013
Making OTC an impulse buy

UrgentRx's fast powder OTC treatments are beginning to show up at the check-stand. As a brand offering, it represents a unique delivery format with unique merchandising opportunities. DSN sought out founder and president Jordan Eisenberg for the details.

UrgentRx's fast powder OTC treatments are beginning to show up at the check-stand. As a brand offering, it represents a unique delivery format with unique merchandising opportunities. DSN sought out founder and president Jordan Eisenberg for the details.

DSN: What is the point of differentiation for the line?

April 19, 2013
Ahold USA donates $500,000 to fund for Boston terrorist attack victims

Ahold USA and its Stop & Shop banner have donated half a million dollars to a charitable organization set up to aid victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Boston.

QUINCY, Mass. — Ahold USA and its Stop & Shop banner have donated half a million dollars to a charitable organization set up to aid victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Boston.

The company announced the donation of $500,000 to The One Fund Boston, formed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

"Words cannot express the tragedy that took place at the Boston Marathon," Stop & Shop New England Division president Joe Kelley said. "We mourn with all of of those who were affected."

April 19, 2013
Bill Clinton to speak at NCPA show in October

Former president Bill Clinton will address the National Community Pharmacists Association's exposition in Orlando, Fla., this October, the group said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former president Bill Clinton will address the National Community Pharmacists Association's exposition in Orlando, Fla., this October, the group said Friday.

The NCPA's 115th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition will take place Oct. 12-16 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.

April 19, 2013
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy CEO joins Flint, Mich., job-creation effort

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is among several Flint, Mich.-area companies that have signed on to a council to support a local business that makes scrubs and is interested in expanding beyond traditional markets.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is among several Flint, Mich.-area companies that have signed on to a council to support a local business that makes scrubs and is interested in expanding beyond traditional markets.

April 19, 2013
Panel advocates letting Canadian pharmacists prescribe some drugs

A new action plan and panel discussion aim to improve Canada's healthcare system and save $8.5 billion to $11 billion over three years at various levels of government.

TORONTO — A new action plan and panel discussion aim to improve Canada's healthcare system and save $8.5 billion to $11 billion over three years at various levels of government.

The plan, "9,000 Points of Care: Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare," outlines five initiatives, including allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines and prescribe medications for minor ailments. The title refers to the number of community pharmacies in Canada.

April 18, 2013
Hospira announces new executive appointment

Generic drug maker Hospira has appointed Matt Stober as its SVP operations, the company said.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has appointed Matt Stober as its SVP operations, the company said.

Stober, who began working for Hospira in 2011 as corporate VP U.S. pharmacy operations, will have expanded leadership over all the company's drug manufacturing, as well as manufacturing science and technology, engineering, competitive strategy, health and safety, supply chain and procurement. Stober succeeds John Elliot, who has led operations since April 2012 and will provide continuity of support until he retires at the end of the year.

April 18, 2013
Michel Coutu resigns from Rite Aid board

Rite Aid board member Michel Coutu has resigned, effective Wednesday, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid board member Michel Coutu has resigned, effective Wednesday, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Coutu's notification follows an announcement by The Jean Coutu Group Tuesday that it had sold 72.5 million Rite Aid shares, reducing its stake in the company to 11.7%.

In addition, board member and former chairman Mary Sammons notified the company Wednesday that she wouldn't seek reelection as a director at its annual shareholder meeting.

April 18, 2013
Stop & Shop sponsors health and wellness summit for middle school students

Stop & Shop will sponsor a healthy-eating summit for middle schoolers in New Jersey on Thursday, the supermarket chain said.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Stop & Shop will sponsor a healthy-eating summit for middle schoolers in New Jersey on Thursday, the supermarket chain said.

April 17, 2013
Ahold 'shocked' by Boston attack, CEO tells shareholders

Royal Ahold CEO Dick Boer expressed condolences for the victims of Monday's bombing of the Boston Marathon in a meeting with shareholders Wednesday.

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold CEO Dick Boer expressed condolences for the victims of Monday's bombing of the Boston Marathon in a meeting with shareholders Wednesday.

"The Boston area is, of course, one of our main U.S. markets, and our thousands of employees are shocked by Monday's events," Boer said. "Our thoughts are with everyone in the city of Boston and the surrounding communities, and especially the families and friends of those affected."

The company's Stop & Shop banner has a prominent and long-standing presence in the area.

April 17, 2013
Game show host Chuck Woolery enters retail pain relief industry

Chuck Woolery, TV personality and game show host, has recently acquired a minority stake in Nature’s Health Connection, Inc., the makers of Australian Dream Arthritis Pain Relief Cream.

CAMPTON, Ky. — Chuck Woolery, TV personality and game show host, has recently acquired a minority stake in Nature’s Health Connection, Inc., the makers of Australian Dream Arthritis Pain Relief Cream.

Mr. Woolery, who has recently appeared as a spokesperson in a radio commercial campaign for the pain relief cream, began using Australian Dream to treat his own minor arthritis pain. Mr. Woolery was so satisfied by the results he experienced with product, he decided to invest in the company.

April 17, 2013
Hearing focuses on FDA response to meningitis outbreak

Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

April 16, 2013
Publix adds board member

During its annual stockholders’ meeting, Steve Knopik was elected to Publix Super Markets’ board of directors.

LAKELAND, Fla. — During its annual stockholders’ meeting today, Steve Knopik was elected to Publix Super Markets’ board of directors.

“We are pleased to have Steve join the Publix board,” said Publix chairman of the board Charlie Jenkins, Jr. “His strong retail and financial background and commitment to the community will make him a strong addition to our board.”

April 16, 2013
Q&A: PBM evolution

DSN spoke at length with two Catamaran executives — Albert Thigpen, SVP pharmacy operations and industry relations, and Sumit Dutta, SVP and chief medical officer — about the PBM’s new approach to managed pharmacy care and the changes driving that strategy.

The health and pharmacy marketplace is undergoing rapid and fundamental transformation. To navigate profitably in tomorrow’s complex and shifting healthcare system, the pharmacy benefit management industry — along with the pharmacies and health plan payers allied with PBMs — are going to have to change and adapt as well.

April 16, 2013
Stater Bros. appoints Peter Van Helden as president, COO

A former executive of Supervalu has been tapped for a top position at Stater Bros. Markets, the supermarket chain said.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A former executive of Supervalu has been tapped for a top position at Stater Bros. Markets, the supermarket chain said.

Stater Bros. announced that former Supervalu EVP retail operations Peter Van Helden had been hired as president and COO of the privately owned San Bernardino, Calif.-based chain, which operates 167 stores in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

April 15, 2013
N.D. governor signs PBM bill into law

The governor of North Dakota has signed into law a bill that would require pharmacy benefit managers to inform pharmacies about how reimbursement for generic prescription drugs is calculated under maximum allowable cost benchmarks and provide a more detailed appeals process to pharmacies to contest the MAC reimbursement caps that PBMs set up.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The governor of North Dakota has signed into law a bill that would require pharmacy benefit managers to inform pharmacies about how reimbursement for generic prescription drugs is calculated under maximum allowable cost benchmarks and provide a more detailed appeals process to pharmacies to contest the MAC reimbursement caps that PBMs set up.

The bill, H.B. 1363, received unanimous support in both houses of the state's legislature, and Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed it into law Monday.

April 15, 2013
Reports: University of Utah opens pharmacy education, research center

The University of Utah's College of Pharmacy has opened a new research organization designed to encourage collaboration and interaction, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The University of Utah's College of Pharmacy has opened a new research organization designed to encourage collaboration and interaction, according to published reports.

The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News reported on the opening of the L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Institute, a 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes open lab space.

April 15, 2013
Similasan announces new hires to director team

Similasan North America today annouced the addition of two new team members to join the company at the director level.

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Similasan North America today annouced the addition of two new team members to join the company at the director level.

April 12, 2013
Celgene head elected as PhRMA chairman

Celgene Corp. chairman and CEO Robert Hugin has been elected as chairman of a pharmaceutical industry trade group.

SAN DIEGO — Celgene Corp. chairman and CEO Robert Hugin has been elected as chairman of a pharmaceutical industry trade group.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced the election of Hugin, as well as Pfizer president and CEO Ian Read as chairman-elect of the PhRMA board of directors and Merck chairman, president and CEO as board treasurer.

Hugin succeeds Eli Lilly president, chairman and CEO John Lechleiter as chairman, PhRMA said.

 

April 11, 2013
Reports: Costco co-founder to be honored at entrepreneurship awards ceremony

An awards celebration this fall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City will honor the co-founder of Costco Wholesale, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — An awards celebration this fall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City will honor the co-founder of Costco Wholesale Corp., according to published reports.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Jim Sinegal, who retired as the club retailer's CEO in January 2012, would be among the honorees of the university's 28th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebration.

Sinegal founded Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco together with Jeff Brotman in 1983. The company now operates 626 stores, including 449 in the United States.

April 10, 2013
Bumble Bee Foods makes push for growing Hispanic market

Seafood brand Bumble Bee Foods has hired Hispanic celebrity chef Doreen Colondres in order to connect with the growing Hispanic market in the United States, the company said Wednesday.

MIAMI — Seafood brand Bumble Bee Foods has hired Hispanic celebrity chef Doreen Colondres in order to connect with the growing Hispanic market in the United States, the company said Wednesday.