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June 25, 2012
Walgreens boosts pertussis vaccine supply amid Kan. outbreak

Walgreens is offering immunizations against whooping cough in Kansas as an epidemic of the disease spreads around the state, the retail pharmacy chain said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is offering immunizations against whooping cough in Kansas as an epidemic of the disease spreads around the state, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Walgreens said it would offer the Tdap vaccine at all of its 67 stores in Kansas and its 195 stores in Missouri in pharmacies and Take Care Clinics.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has reported 56 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, as of June 11, compared with the 52 cases reported for the entire year of 2011.

June 22, 2012
Expect business opportunities, innovation at 2012 NACDS Marketplace

The 2012 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace Conference will kick off this weekend, boasting business programming and opportunities, as well as a glimpse of the innovations and programming that are in store for NACDS' Total Store Expo that will debut in 2013.

DENVER, Colo. — The 2012 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace Conference will kick off this weekend, boasting business programming and opportunities, as well as a glimpse of the innovations and programming that are in store for NACDS' Total Store Expo that will debut in 2013.

This year's Marketplace Conference will be held June 23 to 26 at the Colorado Convention Center.

June 22, 2012
Walgreens, Alliance Boots address merger at analyst meeting

Just a few days after announcing their merger, Walgreens and Alliance Boots leaders sat down to discuss the value of their deal before analysts on Friday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Just a few days after announcing their merger, Walgreens and Alliance Boots leaders sat down to discuss the value of their deal before analysts on Friday.

Kicking off the Q&A-style meeting, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson outlined how the drug store chain’s partnership with Alliance Boots came to fruition, noting that the opportunity was identified about 18 months ago. “Along the way ... real opportunities began to come to light, [and we learned] how we could create more value for the two companies,” Wasson told analysts.

June 21, 2012
CVS/pharmacy takes personalization to next level with new CVS.com site

Leveraging the deep understanding of its customer base via insights gained through its ExtraCare loyalty program, CVS/pharmacy officially unveiled on Thursday a new personalized digital experience on CVS.com, which features extensive health information and resources in addition to customized deals and savings information.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Leveraging the deep understanding of its customer base via insights gained through its ExtraCare loyalty program, CVS/pharmacy officially unveiled on Thursday a new personalized digital experience on CVS.com, which features extensive health information and resources in addition to customized deals and savings information.

June 20, 2012
Discount supermarkets linked to higher obesity rates

Frequenting certain retail stores may affect customers' waistlines, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — Frequenting certain retail stores may affect customers' waistlines, according to a new study.

June 20, 2012
Supervalu boosts Essential Everyday brand

Supervalu is expanding its private-label offering to include 2,700 products across more than 100 categories by 2013.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu is expanding its private-label offering to include 2,700 products across more than 100 categories by 2013.

Essential Everyday products, which are available at approximately 3,300 stores nationwide — including Supervalu's family of stores — currently features more than 1,200 items across more than 40 categories. The expanded Essential Everyday brand lineup was introduced in New York last week by chef and cookbook author Antonia Lofaso.

June 19, 2012
Walgreens, Alliance Boots to merge

Walgreens and Alliance Boots took the first step in creating what will be the first and largest global retail pharmacy player, the two companies announced Tuesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Alliance Boots took the first step in creating what will be the first and largest global retail pharmacy player, the two companies announced Tuesday. "This creates an opportunity for us together to create an international expansion platform," Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told reporters and analysts early Tuesday morning.

June 18, 2012
FTC gives green light to Giant Food for Genuardi's acquisition

The Federal Trade Commission has approved Giant Food Stores' proposal to acquire 15 Genuardi's stores from Safeway.

CARLISLE, Pa. — The Federal Trade Commission has approved Giant Food Stores' proposal to acquire 15 Genuardi's stores from Safeway.

The announcement follows Giant's Jan. 5 announcement that it would acquire the Genuardi's stores, all of which are located in the greater Philadelphia market. Giant also noted that under the terms of a consent order approved by the FTC, the Genuardi's located in Newtown, Pa., will be purchased by Newtown Market and will be operated as a McCaffrey's supermarket.

June 18, 2012
Walgreens disabilities initiative serves as bedrock for broader public/private engagement

Top-level executives from more than a dozen major U.S. companies on Monday joined with government officials to launch a nationwide public-private sector initiative to advance employment of people with disabilities.

WINDSOR, Conn. — Top-level executives from more than a dozen major U.S. companies on Monday joined with government officials to launch a nationwide public-private sector initiative to advance employment of people with disabilities. The companies and officials plan to work together to achieve common goals, including to identify and resolve employment barriers facing people with disabilities, share experience and best practices, raise visibility around the effort and awareness of the significant benefits, and expand participation.

June 15, 2012
At its shareholders meeting, no one questions Target's strategy or results

Canned peaches, criminal records and political contributions were among the top shareholder concerns expressed at Target's annual meeting.

CHICAGO — Canned peaches, criminal records and political contributions were among the top shareholder concerns expressed at Target’s annual meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

June 15, 2012
Costco to make Louisiana debut

Costco will enter the state of Louisiana with a 148,000-sq.-ft. store at Carrollton Plaza Shopping Center in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS — Costco will enter the state of Louisiana with a 148,000-sq.-ft. store at Carrollton Plaza Shopping Center in New Orleans.

The new lease, announced by center owner The Feil Organization, will add Costco to a lineup of retailers that includes CVS, Firestone, Family Dollar and Subway.

Costco is slated to open spring 2013.

June 15, 2012
Walgreens to extend Well Experience flagship into downtown Philly

Downtown Philadelphia will be the site for Walgreens' next Well Experience flagship store, according to an online report published Friday by CBS/Philly.

PHILADELPHIA — Downtown Philadelphia will be the site for Walgreens' next Well Experience flagship store, according to an online report published Friday by CBS/Philly. The new Walgreens will be located at Broad and Chestnut Streets in Center City, filling the space of what was once a Borders bookstore.

The retail space extends 26,000 sq. ft. across three floors.

The CBS/Philly report suggested the new store will open its doors this fall, citing the real estate agent who brokered the deal.

June 14, 2012
Kroger: Customer First strategy contributes to 34 consecutive quarters of positive IDs

Kroger on Thursday posted its 34th consecutive quarter of positive identical-supermarket sales, vetting the company's approach to competing in the food industry not as a traditional food retailer, but as a retailer that happens to sell its customers a lot of food.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday posted its 34th consecutive quarter of positive identical-supermarket sales, vetting the company's approach to competing in the food industry not as a traditional food retailer, but as a retailer that happens to sell its customers a lot of food.

June 14, 2012
Walgreens: Educating patients with diabetes on insulin injection improves adherence

A new Walgreens study released Thursday found that a pharmacist-led training and counseling program for patients receiving an injectable diabetes medication improved medication adherence by 24%.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A new Walgreens study released Thursday found that a pharmacist-led training and counseling program for patients receiving an injectable diabetes medication improved medication adherence by 24%.

June 14, 2012
White paper: Independent pharmacist recommendations drive sharper growth across certain OTCs

A significant growth opportunity for independent pharmacy may be in its sales of over-the-counter products, according to a recent white paper published by the Hamacher Resource Group.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — A significant growth opportunity for independent pharmacy may be in its sales of over-the-counter products, according to a recent white paper published by the Hamacher Resource Group. Patient access to pharmacists and their product recommendations contribute to improved OTC performance within independent pharmacy, the report noted.

June 13, 2012
Bayer names Philip Blake to lead U.S. operations

Bayer on Tuesday announced that on July 1, Philip Blake will become senior Bayer representative USA, following a common company practice of assigning this oversight role to a senior executive already holding a significant business role or roles within the region.

PITTSBURGH — Bayer on Tuesday announced that on July 1, Philip Blake will become senior Bayer representative USA, following a common company practice of assigning this oversight role to a senior executive already holding a significant business role or roles within the region.

“Phil Blake is a highly valued and respected leader at Bayer,” stated Richard Pott, member of the management board of Bayer. “Having been with Bayer for more than 30 years, he brings a wealth of experience to this new role.”

June 13, 2012
Government agency issues draft recommendation doubting calcium, vitamin D benefits

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Tuesday issued a draft recommendation around the ineffectiveness of vitamin D and calcium to prevent cancer or fractures.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Tuesday issued a draft recommendation around the ineffectiveness of vitamin D and calcium to prevent cancer or fractures. The draft guidance also suggested vitamin D and calcium could equate to a greater risk of kidney stones in older women.

"Many people take the supplements, but the science was insufficient to make recommendations for everyone," stated panel member Timothy Wilt of the University of Minnesota.

June 13, 2012
Healthcare providers driving surge in downloads of healthcare-related apps

The market for healthcare-related software apps for use in mobile devices has grown and will continue to grow quickly, according to Kalorama Information report released Tuesday.

NEW YORK — The market for healthcare-related software apps for use in mobile devices has grown and will continue to grow quickly, according to Kalorama Information report released Tuesday. The market for mobile medical apps was worth about $150 million in 2011.

June 13, 2012
Managed care organization Health Net releases PSA campaign on prenatal health

Health Net on Tuesday launched a national public service campaign to help increase awareness of prenatal and infant health.

LOS ANGELES — Health Net on Tuesday launched a national public service campaign to help increase awareness of prenatal and infant health.

Created in collaboration with the National Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition, the campaign announcements encourage mothers and fathers to sign up for a free mobile health service called Text4baby.

June 13, 2012
National Rural Health Association backs Medicare Pharmacy Transparency bill

The National Rural Health Association on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., strongly supporting the bill she introduced in March — H.R. 4215, the Medicare Pharmacy Transparency and Fair Auditing Act.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Rural Health Association on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., strongly supporting the bill she introduced in March — H.R. 4215, the Medicare Pharmacy Transparency and Fair Auditing Act. The bill helps safeguard patient access to independent community pharmacists and addresses abusive pharmacy auditing practices, while allowing legitimate Medicare Part D anti-fraud oversight to continue.

June 13, 2012
Shoppers Drug Mart's new physician portal marks first of its kind in Canada

Shoppers Drug Mart has announced the launch of the Shoppers Health Care Portal, a website designed to provide Canadian healthcare professionals with access to drug reimbursement information and clinical tools with the goal of improving patient care.

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart has announced the launch of the Shoppers Health Care Portal, a website designed to provide Canadian healthcare professionals with access to drug reimbursement information and clinical tools with the goal of improving patient care.

June 13, 2012
Survey: Parents of newborns intimidated to ask friends, family to get Tdap vaccination

As health departments across the country report record numbers of pertussis cases, the results of a new survey of American adults released Wednesday revealed that most parents aren't asking adults close to their infants and young children to get an adult whooping cough booster vaccine, even though they do ask them to follow other basic precautions to safeguard their children's health.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — As health departments across the country report record numbers of pertussis cases, the results of a new survey of American adults released today reveal that most parents aren't asking adults close to their infants and young children to get an adult whooping cough booster vaccine, even though they do ask them to follow other basic precautions to safeguard their children's health.

June 13, 2012
Upsher-Smith to acquire biotechnology firm Proximagen Group

Upsher-Smith Labs on Wednesday announced that it has agreed to acquire Proximagen Group, a European biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system and inflammation.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Upsher-Smith Labs on Wednesday announced that it has agreed to acquire Proximagen Group, a European biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system and inflammation.

Upsher-Smith intends to retain operations in Cambridge and London, England, the company reported.

June 13, 2012
Walgreens biggest winner for exclusive Biggest Loser brand at LIMA award show

Walgreens was the biggest winner for its exclusive line of Biggest Loser weight-loss products here during the LIMA Opening Night Awards Ceremony here Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS — Walgreens was the biggest winner for its exclusive line of Biggest Loser weight-loss products here during the LIMA Opening Night Awards Ceremony here Tuesday.

Walgreens was named Best Retailer of the Year by the Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association for its Biggest Loser line of meal replacement bars and shakes licensed through NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products in May 2011.

June 12, 2012
CDC: 2011-2012 influenza season lowest on record

The 2011-2012 influenza season was one of the mildest and latest seasons on record, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — The 2011-2012 influenza season was one of the mildest and latest seasons on record, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The peak percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses of 2.4% was the lowest reported since the system began in its current format in 1997. The peak percentage of visits for ILI during those 14 seasons ranged from 3.2% for the 2002-2003 season to 7.7% during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.