Content about SAN FRANCISCO

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.

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.

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.

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.


SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Drug database provider First DataBank has appointed former Gold Standard/Elsevier editor-in-chief Karl Matuszewski as VP clinical and editorial knowledge-base services, the company said Tuesday.

In the new role, Matuszewski will guide editorial policy development for the creation and maintenance of First DataBank’s knowledge-base services and disease decision support products, including National Drug Data File Plus, OrderView Med Knowledge Base and related clinical modules.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Biotech company Genentech advised consumers to avoid alcohol prep pads distributed with some of its drugs due to possible contamination.

Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche, said users of its drugs should not use prep pads made by Triad Group, but that the drugs themselves were still safe to use. Triad Group recently recalled several of its pads due to contamination, prompting Bayer HealthCare to issue a similar warning.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Thursday announced the addition of three new members to the association’s roster: voting member Joint Juice and associate members Jacobs Compliance Services and Nicholas Hall & Co.

Joint Juice, headquartered in San Francisco, offers three delivery forms of its glucosamine and chondroitin products, including a drink mix, a supplement drink and an easy shot.

Jacobs Compliance Services is a food industry consulting firm that provides industry stakeholders with insight on regulatory affairs.

SAN FRANCISCO — Joint Juice on Tuesday announced the launch of its Joint Juice Easy Shot supplement beginning Jan. 1.

“We saw an opportunity to create Joint Juice Easy Shot supplement as an easy-to-use and quick way to get your daily supply of glucosamine plus chondroitin,” stated David Ritterbush, Joint Juice CEO. “It’s an effective, great-tasting and convenient pill alternative.”

SAN FRANCISCO — A new analysis indicated that retailers should expect a modest increase in sales despite wavering consumer confidence.

The report, developed by global management consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates, projected 2.1% to 2.6% growth in personal consumption expenditures for fourth quarter 2010. The analysis also showed spending on durable and nondurable goods will continue to outpace spending on services this holiday season.

MINNEAPOLIS — A location-based retail app now is available for Target shoppers in select markets.