Content about People in the News

February 25, 2013
Q&A: Market advice from Down Under

Originating from Australia, Swisse Wellness recently made a splash into the U.S. market with brand ambassador Nicole Kidman leading the way. DSN didn't land an interview with Kidman, who was up for two Golden Globes last month, so we got in touch with her Swisse Wellness boss Radek Sali — CEO of the company and 2012 GQ Australia businessman of the year — for some insights into the company's approach to the U.S. launch.

Originating from Australia, Swisse Wellness recently made a splash into the U.S. market with brand ambassador Nicole Kidman leading the way. DSN didn't land an interview with Kidman, who was up for two Golden Globes last month, so we got in touch with her Swisse Wellness boss Radek Sali — CEO of the company and 2012 GQ Australia businessman of the year — for some insights into the company's approach to the U.S. launch.

DSN: What's the opportunity for supplements in the U.S. market?

February 22, 2013
'Hart of Dixie' star appears at Rembrandt red-carpet event

"Hart of Dixie" star Jaime King appeared at Rembrandt's Red Carpet Party Prep Event Wednesday night, a pre-Oscars celebration that took place at Blo salon in West Hollywood, Calif.

LOS ANGELES — "Hart of Dixie" star Jaime King appeared at Rembrandt's Red Carpet Party Prep Event Wednesday night, a pre-Oscars celebration that took place at Blo salon in West Hollywood, Calif.

At the event, King shared red carpet beauty tips, while guests received complimentary teeth-whitenings using the Rembrandt Intense Stain stain-dissolving strips. The company said King is a long-time user of the brand, having been introduced by her father.

 

February 22, 2013
FDA commissioner praises generic industry's efforts on quality, shortages, follow-on biologics in GPhA speech

One of the FDA's chief duties is ensuring the quality of food and drug products, and that was the focus of a keynote address delivered at the GPhA annual meeting.

NEW YORK — One of the Food and Drug Administration's chief duties is ensuring the quality of food and drug products, and that was the focus of a keynote address delivered Friday morning by FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association's annual meeting.

In the address, viewed via webcast, Hamburg addressed issues ranging from quality to drug shortages to follow-on biologics, praising the generics industry's role in contributing more than $1 trillion in savings to the healthcare system over the past decade.

February 22, 2013
Harris Teeter elects Sunrise Senior Living CEO to board

Harris Teeter Supermarkets elected Mark Ordan to its board at its annual shareholders meeting.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Harris Teeter Supermarkets on Thursday elected Mark Ordan to its board at its annual shareholders meeting.

Ordan is CEO of Sunrise Senior Living, a provider of senior living services in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Ordan has also held senior executive positions at a number of companies in the real estate, food service and supermarket industries.

The company also announced that its board declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.15 per share, to be paid on April 1, 2013 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2013.

February 22, 2013
Innovative pharmacy services promote improved patient care, life quality, NACDS head writes

The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

February 21, 2013
Albertsons appoints division presidents; Justin Dye to head pharmacy

Albertsons named the division presidents who will lead the 877 stores it will acquire from Supervalu after the purchase agreement closes next month, the company said. The two companies agreed to the purchase in January.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons named the division presidents who will lead the 877 stores it will acquire from Supervalu after the purchase agreement closes next month, the company said. The two companies agreed to the purchase in January.

February 21, 2013
GPhA appoints board of directors for 2013

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association re-elected its chairman from last year and appointed a new board of directors for 2013 whose members run from A to Z — as in Amneal to Zydus.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association re-elected its chairman from last year and appointed a new board of directors for 2013 whose members run from A to Z — as in Amneal to Zydus.

"We are grateful for the vision and support of the 2012 board of directors, and we are excited to move ahead with our chairman and our 2013 board," GPhA president and CEO Ralph Neas said. "In a time of enormous change and growth for our industry, leadership is critical."

February 21, 2013
Kerr Drug completes chainwide implementation of PDX pharmacy system

Kerr Drug has rolled out the PDX Enterprise Pharmacy System chainwide, the retail pharmacy chain said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has rolled out the PDX Enterprise Pharmacy System chainwide, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Kerr said the system would help it focus on "the future of pharmacy," with increased prescription volume and higher patient care requirements.

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 21, 2013
SoftSheen-Carson hires model Cynthia Bailey as spokeswoman

SoftSheen-Carson Laboratories has hired Cynthia Bailey to promote its Optimum Salon Haircare line and launch a new product collection based on an oil traditionally used in India, the company said.

NEW YORK — SoftSheen-Carson Laboratories has hired Cynthia Bailey to promote its Optimum Salon Haircare line and launch a new product collection based on an oil traditionally used in India, the company said.

February 20, 2013
Diplomat names James Kosmerick as director of marketing

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a former information technology executive as its director of marketing.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a former information technology executive as its director of marketing.

The company announced Wednesday the appointment of James Kosmerick as director of marketing. Kosmerick was previously creative and marketing director for Bay City, Mich.-based TransIT Solutions. He also worked as an art director and designer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

February 20, 2013
Max-Wellness plans senior-facility stores

Max-Wellness will open a prototype, small-format store at an assisted-living center this spring, CEO Michael Feuer told Drug Store News.

NEW YORK — Max-Wellness will open a prototype, small-format store at an assisted-living facility this spring, CEO Michael Feuer told Drug Store News.

Feuer could not disclose the facility's location, but said it would be "economically high-end." The store will be 500 square feet and located in the lobby, similar to the health and wellness chain's hospital stores, but slightly smaller and more open. A larger rollout of the so-called "satellite stores" is planned for later on.

February 20, 2013
Reports: Analyst names Ahold as 'most logical' buyer of Harris Teeter

Supermarket operator Ahold USA could be in a position to buy Matthews, N.C.-based supermarket chain Harris Teeter, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Supermarket operator Ahold USA could be in a position to buy Matthews, N.C.-based supermarket chain Harris Teeter, according to published reports.

Citing remarks by BMO Capital Markets analyst Karen Short, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ahold, Publix Super Markets and Kroger Co. would be candidates for a purchase of Harris Teeter, with Ahold named as the most logical candidate due to an acquisitive nature and a desire to enter the southern United States.

February 19, 2013
Anthem suspends controversial Calif. mail-order specialty pharmacy policy

Anthem Blue Cross will indefinitely suspend a policy that would require many specialty pharmacy patients in California, most of them HIV patients, to receive their drugs via mail order in order to receive coverage for them, drawing criticism from patients and retail pharmacies.

NEW YORK — Anthem Blue Cross will indefinitely suspend a policy that would require many specialty pharmacy patients in California, most of them HIV patients, to receive their drugs via mail order in order to receive coverage for them, drawing criticism from patients and retail pharmacies.

February 19, 2013
Kroger names in-house veteran group VP non-perishables

Kroger promoted Robert Clark, 28-year veteran, as group VP non-perishables.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday promoted Robert Clark as group VP non-perishables.

"Robert brings impactful leadership and extensive merchandising experience to our team," stated Michael Donnelly, Kroger's SVP merchandising. "His valuable knowledge of our customers across the country will further strengthen our strategic direction."

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 15, 2013
Legislation would allow states to levy sales taxes on out-of-state online purchases

Sears Holdings, the parent company of mass merchandiser Kmart, is throwing its support behind a bill that would grant states authority to enforce existing sales tax laws and require out-of-state online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made to their residents.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of mass merchandiser Kmart, is throwing its support behind a bill that would grant states authority to enforce existing sales tax laws and require out-of-state online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made to their residents.

The Marketplace Fairness Act was sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; as well as Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark.; Kristi Noem, R-S.D.; Peter Welch, D-Vt.; and John Conyers, D-Mich.

February 15, 2013
NACDS Foundation sponsors nationwide heart-health initiatives

The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

The NACDS Foundation announced the launch of the NACDS Foundation and Million Hearts "Heart to Heart Community Health Fairs," supporting HHS' "Team Up, Pressure Down" campaign. Various initiatives will take place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

February 15, 2013
W.Va. senators, representative introduce prescription drug abuse bill

Two Democrats from West Virginia are sponsoring legislation in the House and Senate to combat prescription drug abuse.

WASHINGTON — Two Democrats from West Virginia are sponsoring legislation in the House and Senate to combat prescription drug abuse.

February 14, 2013
Reports: Buffett, Lemann buy H.J. Heinz; Buffett investment group increases Costco holding

The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Lemann's 3G Capital would buy the condiment maker for $72.50 per share, and the deal includes $12 billion to $13 billion from Buffett's group. Heinz also owns the Ore-Ida potato chip brand.

February 14, 2013
Target, Mindless Behavior partner in lyric-writing contest

Target has a deal with pop music group Mindless Behavior to let fans write lyrics for the band, the mass merchandise retailer said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has a deal with pop music group Mindless Behavior to let fans write lyrics for the band, the mass merchandise retailer said Thursday.

The contest, called "Your Lyrics, Their Voices," gives fans the opportunity to write their own song lyrics for a verse of a special fan edition of the title track for the album "All Around the World."

February 13, 2013
Nearly 90 representatives call on USPS to preserve Saturday delivery of medications

More than seven dozen members of the House of Representatives are urging the U.S. Postal Service to continue delivering medications to all Americans six days a week.

WASHINGTON — More than seven dozen members of the House of Representatives are urging the U.S. Postal Service to continue delivering medications to all Americans six days a week.

February 13, 2013
SoloHealth CEO joins exclusive Dell-sponsored group

SoloHealth founder and CEO Bart Foster has joined the Dell Innovators Credit Fund Founders Club, which computer manufacturer Dell created for what it regards as innovative business leaders, SoloHealth said.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — SoloHealth founder and CEO Bart Foster has joined the Dell Innovators Credit Fund Founders Club, which computer manufacturer Dell created for what it regards as innovative business leaders, SoloHealth said.

February 13, 2013
State of the Union address draws mixed responses from drug industry

Some people liked President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, and some people didn't, and the response from the drug industry was no less mixed.

WASHINGTON — Some people liked President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, and some people didn't, and the response from the drug industry was no less mixed.

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association called for measures to lower healthcare costs, including ensuring that generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars reach patients' hands quickly and also avoiding measures intended to provide savings that the GPhA said would raise prescription drug costs, though the grow didn't specify what those measures were.

February 12, 2013
Sargento Foods, Cheryl Burke promote healthy snacking

A two-time winner of "Dancing with the Stars" and a food product manufacturer have a deal to promote healthy snacking options.

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — A two-time winner of "Dancing with the Stars" and a food product manufacturer have a deal to promote healthy snacking options for women.