Content about Product Release

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a second product in BD's new line of injectable drugs, the company said Tuesday.

BD Rx, the pharmaceutical arm of the medical technology manufacturer, whose name stands for Becton, Dickinson and Co., received FDA approval for metoclopramide, part of its BD Simplist line of ready-to-administer pre-filled generic injectables. The product is an antiemetic, a drug used to stop vomiting.

NEW YORK — Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America announced Wednesday plans to launch a new sun care line nationwide in the spring.

NEW YORK — Costco has entered the pharmacy benefit management business, according to published reports.

In an article in the January 2013 issue of Costco Connection magazine, the club warehouse retailer is promoting the new PBM, Costco Health Solutions, to small business owners. Pharmaceutical industry consultant Adam Fein noted on his blog, Drug Channels, that Costco was seeking to emulate the tactics already used by CVS Caremark, Walgreens and Walmart to drive prescription growth.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced a special series of 50th Anniversary customer appreciation savings as the culmination of RA50, its 50th anniversary celebration, which began last September. By participating in the sales events running through early March, customers can receive up to $100 in additional +UP Rewards on top of the savings they already earn through their wellness+ membership.

Drug stores, especially chain drug stores, brand themselves differently. But once customers step through the doors, they tend to only see slight variations of the same thing: the same shelves, too tall for mere humans to reach the top without a ladder; the same product categories every other drug store carries; the same pharmacy counter in the back of the store; and the same cash registers in the front. Some stores have carpets, others have tile floors.


The entirety of Rite Aid’s marketing message can really be broken down to just two simple, yet powerful words: 
wellness empowerment. 


It is those two words that have helped inform Rite Aid’s entire wellness platform, from the introduction of its wellness+ loyalty card program in 2010 to the rollout of its new Wellness stores, beginning in 2011. It is those two words that have helped reinvigorate Rite Aid’s business — from how the store is formatted and how it looks, to the energy that pops among Rite Aid’s Wellness Ambassadors. 


 DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens pharmacists are on the frontlines of a new transition of care program, WellTransitions, which brings hospitals and health systems together with Walgreens in a coordinated care model designed to reduce readmission rates and overall healthcare costs while improving patient health outcomes and medication adherence, Walgreens announced Tuesday. The WellTransitions program is being rolled out as thousands of hospitals nationwide face possible penalties from Medicare for patient readmission rates that are too high, under a new law that took effect Oct.

SAN FRANCISCO — Beauty retailer Sephora launched this month at select locations its new Sephora Skincare IQ, which is in-store technology to make addressing skin care concerns faster, smarter and simpler.

In 60 seconds or less, Sephora Skincare iQ helps clients address a myriad of skin concerns through a series of deductive questions, simplifies the product selection process by cross-referencing Sephora’s full skin care assortment across 1,200-plus SKUs and 60 brands, and is an aid to the skin care consultation in store.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Yoplait has introduced Yoplait Smoothies, which feature frozen fruit, fruit juice and real Yoplait Greek yogurt. The smoothies can be made by adding skim milk and blending, and each 4.5-oz. freezer package yields a single 12-oz. serving. “Each smoothie provides 10 grams of protein when prepared with milk and are sweetened with all-natural stevia,” Yoplait Smoothie marketing manager Maija Aittola said. Available in mixed berry and strawberry banana orange flavors, Yoplait Smoothies carry a suggested retail price of $2.99.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced the launch of an authorized generic of a Type 2 diabetes drug.

The company launched pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets in the 15-mg, 30-mg and 45-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Takeda Pharmaceuticals' Actos.

Annual sales of Actos in the United States were approximately $2.7 billion for the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS sales data.

In 2006, Time magazine added a twist to its annual “Person of the Year” cover story, replacing the usual picture of some prominent individual with a picture of a glossy computer screen to show that social networking had made “you” the person of the year. Now, the idea that it’s all about “you” has percolated into retail.