Content about People in the News

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

NEW YORK — A new report sheds light on some of the opportunities and challenges that exist in follow-on biologics, arguing that their opportunity to generate value depends on factors like the speed of development, clarity of regulation, ease of access and the roles of all stakeholders.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — H. D. Smith on Monday announced the appointment of Tim Booth to EVP, Smith Medical Partners. Smith Medical Partners is a wholly owned subsidiary of H. D. Smith focused on specialty pharmaceutical distribution and services, and is part of the newly formed H. D. Smith Specialty Solutions group.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Merz North America on Monday named Jim Hartman VP of the Merz Aesthetics business unit, which includes Xeomin, Radiesse and Belotero Balance. 

Hartman was hired in June 2012 to lead the U.S. Dermatology Business Unit, which includes Naftin, Mederma and the recently launched Onmel. Prior to joining Merz, Hartman was VP global marketing and business development at Obagi Medical Products, a provider of topical skin care treatments. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday announced the appointment of Peter Bocian as its new executive vice president and CFO. Bocian, 58, will oversee the company's financial functions including accounting, tax, audit, treasury, investor relations, planning and business development. He will report directly to Robert Edwards, Safeway's president, and will assume his new responsibilities on Feb. 19.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — To put Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson's speech at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference on Monday into perspective, one may consider that pharmacists today are the leading providers of immunizations and vaccinations, whereas five years ago, they weren't involved at all.

Wasson, NACDS' current chairman, focused on the themes of innovation and engagement, citing immunizations and vaccinations as examples that "people are ready for community pharmacy to take on a greater role."

CHICAGO — The Network of Executive Women on Friday named Donna Giordano, president of the Ralphs division of Kroger, and Monica Turner, general manager of market strategy and planning for Procter & Gamble, co-chairs of the NEW Executive Leaders Forum 2013.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Armada Health Care will launch a new association of specialty pharmacy at its upcoming annual summit, the specialty pharmacy services company said Thursday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid reported a 0.3% increase in comps for the month of January, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The increase included a 4.2% increase in front-end comps, 2.4% of which came from sales of OTC flu products. Pharmacy comps decreased by 1.4%, while same-store prescription count increased 5%, 3.4% of which came from flu-related prescriptions and flu shots. Total store sales for the four-week period, which ended Saturday, decreased 0.5% to $1.91 billion.

NAUGATUCK, Conn. — YoCrunch has introduced a new line of Greek yogurt, the company said.

Yopa! is described as an authentic, strained Greek yogurt whose name is a portmanteau of "Yo" for "yogurt" and the traditional Greek cheer for joy, "opa!"

The company has hired 2012 Olympic gold medalist and Associated Press female athlete of the year Gabby Douglas to promote the brand.

WASHINGTON — A group of organizations has launched a nationwide competitive outreach project to enlist students studying to become healthcare professionals to find new ways to raise awareness about medication adherence as a public health issue.

SAN FRANCISCO — Pop singer Katy Perry will leave her mark on the newest flavor from snack brand Popchips, the company said Friday.

Popchips said it would launch Katy's Kettle Corn, described as sweet and salty, at Target stores this month. Perry joined the company in July 2012 as an investor and creative partner and expressed an interest in creating a signature flavor of the snack.