Content about SAN FRANCISCO

June 20, 2011
Safeway celebrates private-label brand by setting Guinness World Records title

Safeway celebrated National Picnic Day on Saturday by breaking the Guinness World Record for longest picnic table and debuting its new private-label brand.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway celebrated National Picnic Day on Saturday by breaking the Guinness World Record for longest picnic table and debuting its new private-label brand.

The record-setting picnic, held at the Marina Green in San Francisco, featured Safeway's Open Nature, a newly launched line of all-natural foods that includes meat and poultry, bread, yogurt, ice cream and salad dressing products, that were prepared by Food Network chef Tyler Florence. Safeway also succeeded at building a table exceeding 305 ft.

June 15, 2011
Canning exits Health Mart, nabs top marketing spot at Omnicare

Drug Store News has learned that Tim Canning, president of McKesson’s Health Mart division, is leaving the company to take the position of SVP and chief marketing officer at Omnicare. The move is effective June 17.

SAN FRANCISCO — Drug Store News has learned that Tim Canning, president of McKesson’s Health Mart division, is leaving the company to take the position of SVP and chief marketing officer at Omnicare. The move is effective June 17.

“Tim has played an important role in advancing the success of McKesson’s retail independent pharmacy customers through his leadership of key solutions and programs, such as Health Mart,” noted a company representative.

June 10, 2011
Health 2.0, Walgreens announce health guide challenge

Health 2.0 and Walgreens on Thursday announced the launch of the Walgreens 2011 Challenge: A New Approach to Patient Information Navigation, which invites teams of developers to create an application that presents aggregated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data on specific health topics.

SAN FRANCISCO — Health 2.0 and Walgreens on Thursday announced the launch of the Walgreens 2011 Challenge: A New Approach to Patient Information Navigation, which invites teams of developers to create an application that presents aggregated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data on specific health topics.

The challenge is being sponsored by Walgreens, as part of the Health 2.0 Developer Challenge, as a way to supply both Walgreens healthcare staff and patients with a tool for searching and learning about health-related topics, the companies stated.

May 24, 2011
Fresh & Easy to open two stores in San Francisco this summer

Fresh & Easy has announced the opening dates for its first two stores in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO — Fresh & Easy has announced the opening dates for its first two stores in San Francisco.

The retail chain said that the stores, which will open on June 22 and Aug. 24, will create more than 50 jobs. What's more, Fresh & Easy also is inviting area residents to nominate a local nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 donation for each new store opening. Based on the nominations from the neighborhood, store employees will select the winning charity.

May 20, 2011
Johnson Products aligns with 100 Black Men of America

Ethnic hair care company Johnson Products, whose brands include the Ultra Sheen Men grooming collection, has partnered with 100 Black Men of America and its "Collegiate 100" program.

NEW YORK — Ethnic hair care company Johnson Products, whose brands include the Ultra Sheen Men grooming collection, has partnered with 100 Black Men of America and its "Collegiate 100" program.

May 17, 2011
Report: Walgreens launches better-for-you foods pilot in San Francisco

Walgreens is test-marketing healthier-for-you foods similar to the “food desert” pilot in Chicago across 30 area stores in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.

SAN FRANCISCO — Walgreens is test-marketing healthier-for-you foods similar to the “food desert” pilot in Chicago across 30 area stores here, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.

An Outer Richmond location began stocking fresh food and just-in-time meals last week, the paper reported, and the pilot program will roll out to the remaining stores over the course of the summer.

May 13, 2011
Joe Montana tapped for Joint Juice partnership

Joint Juice earlier in the week announced a partnership with National Football League Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana on the Joint Juice challenge.

SAN FRANCISCO — Joint Juice earlier in the week announced a partnership with National Football League Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana on the Joint Juice challenge.

To kick off the partnership, Joint Juice and Montana launched a contest: “Do What You Love with Joe Montana.” Americans who share their joint health success stories will be entered to win an all-expenses-paid trip to spend an afternoon doing their favorite activity with the legendary football star, as well as $5,000 in cash.

May 11, 2011
Genentech seeks regulatory approval for vemurafenib

Genentech is seeking approval for a new drug to treat skin cancer, the company said Wednesday.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Genentech is seeking approval for a new drug to treat skin cancer, the company said Wednesday.

May 10, 2011
Study: Allergy rhinitis symptoms linked to sleep disruption

Patients with seasonal allergies are more likely to experience difficulty sleeping, according to results of a new survey conducted by Teva Respiratory.

HORSHAM, Pa. — Patients with seasonal allergies are more likely to experience difficulty sleeping, according to results of a new survey conducted by Teva Respiratory.

May 9, 2011
New California bill seeks to regulate alcohol sales at self-service checkouts

A new bill introduced by a California assemblywoman aims to curb the sale of alcohol to minors by prohibiting sales at self-service checkouts.

SAN FRANCISCO — A new bill introduced by a California assemblywoman aims to curb the sale of alcohol to minors by prohibiting sales at self-service checkouts.

Assembly Bill 183, introduced last month by Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, was passed by the assembly committee. Assemblywoman Ma said that self-service checkouts are susceptible to technological failures, allowing minors to purchase alcohol.

May 4, 2011
McKesson reports Q4, fiscal-year results

Sales at McKesson were $28.9 billion during fourth quarter 2011 and $112.1 billion for fiscal year 2011, according to financial results announced Tuesday.

SAN FRANCISCO — Sales at McKesson were $28.9 billion during fourth quarter 2011 and $112.1 billion for fiscal year 2011, according to financial results announced Tuesday.

Sales for the quarter represented an 8% increase over $26.6 billion in fourth quarter 2010, while sales for the year increased by 3% over 2010’s $108.7 billion.

Profits for the quarter were $422 million, a 21% increase over fourth quarter 2010, while profits for the year were $1.2 billion, a 5% decrease from fiscal year 2010’s $1.26 billion.

April 18, 2011
FDA approves Actemra as arthritis treatment for children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for treating a rare and severe form of arthritis that affects children, Genentech said.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for treating a rare and severe form of arthritis that affects children, Genentech said.

The biotech company, the U.S. division of Swiss drug maker Roche, announced the FDA approval of Actemra (tocilizumab) for active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. SJIA has the worst long-term prognosis of all varieties of childhood arthritis.

April 13, 2011
McKesson mobilizes 15,000 employees as part of Operation Gratitude

As part of its 13th annual corporate volunteer program “Community Days,” McKesson on Monday announced its support for Operation Gratitude, whereby 15,000 McKesson employees from more than 150 McKesson sites across the country will come together to assemble more than 28,000 care packages for active duty troops deployed around the world and wounded warriors recuperating stateside.

SAN FRANCISCO — As part of its 13th annual corporate volunteer program “Community Days,” McKesson on Monday announced its support for Operation Gratitude, whereby 15,000 McKesson employees from more than 150 McKesson sites across the country will come together to assemble more than 28,000 care packages for active duty troops deployed around the world and wounded warriors recuperating stateside.

April 5, 2011
Diamond Foods expands portfolio with P&G's Pringles business

A Procter & Gamble potato chip brand will become part of Diamond Foods in a
deal valued at $2.35 billion.

SAN FRANCISCO and CINCINNATI — A Procter & Gamble potato chip brand will become part of Diamond Foods in a deal valued at $2.35 billion.

March 23, 2011
Top markets for retailers revealed

A new report released this week unveiled the top go-to markets for retailers that are looking to boost their national presence.

NEW YORK — A new report released this week unveiled the top go-to markets for retailers that are looking to boost their national presence.

In the ChainLinks/Terranomics' 2011 U.S. national retail report, the healthiest retail market in the nation was Washington, D.C., followed by San Francisco; New York; Boston; San Diego; San Jose/South Bay, Calif.; Baltimore; Philadelphia; Seattle and Pittsburgh.

March 22, 2011
Many nasal allergy sufferers don't have control over symptoms

Less than 20% of surveyed patients with nasal allergies find their symptoms are completely controlled over a one-week period of treatment, according to a survey performed by drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

SAN FRANCISCO — Less than 20% of surveyed patients with nasal allergies find their symptoms are completely controlled over a one-week period of treatment, according to a survey performed by drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

March 9, 2011
DiabetesMine launches 2011 design challenge

An informational and community website for people with diabetes has kicked off its fourth annual design challenge, a Web-based competition that calls for fresh ideas for new devices, Web applications or other instruments designed to help people live better with the disease.

SAN FRANCISCO — An informational and community website for people with diabetes has kicked off its fourth annual design challenge, a Web-based competition that calls for fresh ideas for new devices, Web applications or other instruments designed to help people live better with the disease.

March 9, 2011
Solazyme's Algenist line coming to Sephora, QVC

Solazyme will launch its anti-aging skin care line through distribution at Sephora and QVC.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Solazyme will launch its anti-aging skin care line through distribution at Sephora and QVC.

Algenist will be available in the United States on QVC and in 800-plus Sephora stores, as well as in seven countries throughout Europe, before expanding to Asia and the Middle East, Solazyme said.

Algenist will launch with four initial product offerings featuring alguronic acid, Solazyme’s breakthrough ingredient. The four products are:

March 7, 2011
Walmart exec elected chair of health, benefits group

Walmart’s U.S. VP benefits, Chris McSwain, was elected chairman of the Integrated Benefits Institute, the organization announced Monday.

SAN FRANCISCO — Walmart’s U.S. VP benefits, Chris McSwain, was elected chairman of the Integrated Benefits Institute, the organization announced Monday.

“Chris McSwain has played an important leadership role in the health benefits community, and we look forward to his continued leadership with IBI,” said Thomas Parry, president of the nonprofit health and productivity research organization.

February 23, 2011
Health Mart recognized as a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion

Health Mart, McKesson’s network of more than 2,700 independently owned pharmacies, on Tuesday announced that the franchise was recognized in the J.D. Power "2011 Customer Service Champions" report.

SAN FRANCISCO — Health Mart, McKesson’s network of more than 2,700 independently owned pharmacies, on Tuesday announced that the franchise was recognized in the J.D. Power "2011 Customer Service Champions" report.

February 11, 2011
Lucentis improves vision among diabetes patients in trial

Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, reported that its eye drug helped improve vision in patients suffering from a complication caused by diabetes.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, reported that its eye drug helped improve vision in patients suffering from a complication caused by diabetes.

In its phase-3 RISE study, Genentech said diabetic macular edema patients that received monthly Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) achieved an improvement in vision at 24 months, compared with placebo.

February 9, 2011
Genentech: Avastin boosts chances of progression-free survival among ovarian cancer patients

Women with ovarian cancer who received a drug made by Genentech lived longer without their disease becoming worse, according to a late-stage clinical trial.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Women with ovarian cancer who received a drug made by Genentech lived longer without their disease becoming worse, according to a late-stage clinical trial.

Genentech, part of Swiss drug maker Roche, announced results from its phase-3 “OCEANS” study, in which women with recurring ovarian cancer received Avastin (bevacizumab) with gemcitabine and carboplatin, both chemotherapy drugs, followed by use of Avastin alone.

February 2, 2011
Safeway expanding store presence

Safeway's plans to open stores in the San Francisco Bay Area are under way, according to published reports.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway's plans to open stores in the San Francisco Bay Area are under way, according to published reports.

The SF Bay Area store sites include Burlingame, Campbell, Castro Valley, El Cerrito, Los Gatos and Pleasanton, according to the Oakland Tribune.

The company initially announced plans to open approximately 15 new Lifestyle-format stores and complete approximately 60 Lifestyle remodels throughout its chain in its third-quarter earnings report last October. Safeway will report its fourth-quarter earnings Feb. 24.

February 1, 2011
Generics move McKesson profits up

McKesson Corp. on Monday reported revenue of $28.2 billion for its fiscal third quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2010. Third-quarter earnings per diluted share were 60 cents, which included a pre-tax average wholesale price litigation charge of $189 million ($133 million after-tax, or 52 cents per diluted share).

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. on Monday reported revenue of $28.2 billion for its fiscal third quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2010. Third-quarter earnings per diluted share were 60 cents, which included a pre-tax average wholesale price litigation charge of $189 million ($133 million after-tax, or 52 cents per diluted share).

February 1, 2011
Health Mart’s Canning makes good on goal to help indies compete

SAN FRANCISCO — For some guys, it’s just in their blood. That’s definitely the case for Tim Canning — you can say he was born into this business.


Canning, 1-of-8 children of the late, great Fred Canning — who, as president and COO of Walgreens during the late ’70s and ’80s, led a major turnaround of the company — is no doubt making his father incredibly proud these days, as he leads McKesson’s 2,700-plus-strong Health Mart stores, the fastest-growing pharmacy franchise operation in America.