Content about president and CEO

March 1, 2011
Merlo officially takes helm at CVS

As previously announced and widely reported, March 1 marks the day that Larry Merlo officially assumes the role of CEO of CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As previously announced and widely reported, March 1 marks the day that Larry Merlo officially assumes the role of CEO of CVS Caremark. Merlo, who now serves as president and CEO, succeeds Tom Ryan, who remains nonexecutive chairman until his retirement at the company's annual meeting of shareholders in May.

Upon Ryan's retirement as chairman in May, the company intends to elect CVS Caremark board member David Dorman as the next nonexecutive chairman at the 2011 annual meeting. Dorman has been on the CVS Caremark board of directors since 2006.

March 1, 2011
StarKist appoints new CEO

A new leader has been named for a maker of shelf-stable seafood products.

PITTSBURGH — A new leader has been named for a maker of shelf-stable seafood products.

StarKist named In-Soo Cho as president and CEO of the company. Prior to joining StarKist, Cho was the principal of his own consulting firm, Insight & Strategy, with a focus on consumer goods and the restaurant industry.

Cho will assume his new office on March 1.

February 25, 2011
Sticking with what works

Walmart is convinced its sales woes can be solved by a renewed emphasis on everyday low prices and breadth of assortment. As Walmart looks to execute those strategies, the health-and-wellness category will continue to be impacted as it is a key area where favorable trends exist and it is easier to demonstrate price separation.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walmart is convinced its sales woes can be solved by a renewed emphasis on everyday low prices and breadth of assortment. As Walmart looks to execute those strategies, the health-and-wellness category will continue to be impacted as it is a key area where favorable trends exist and it is easier to demonstrate price separation.

(THE NEWS: Walmart to refocus on U.S. unit as sales decline. For the full story, click here)

February 22, 2011
Bruce Foods CEO to serve on GMA's board

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has tapped the leader of a food manufacturer to serve on its board of directors.

NEW IBERIA, La. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has tapped the leader of a food manufacturer to serve on its board of directors.

J.S. "Si" Brown, president and CEO of Bruce Foods, will serve on GMA's board. Brown has held led the company, which specializes in manufacturing Cajun and Tex-Mex products, since 1973.

February 22, 2011
GPhA announces executive committee, board of directors

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has elected its 2011 executive committee and board of directors, the generic drug industry trade group announced. As part of a reorganization last year, the board has been reduced to 12 members.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has elected its 2011 executive committee and board of directors, the generic drug industry trade group announced. As part of a reorganization last year, the board has been reduced to 12 members.

The GPhA said Watson Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Paul Bisaro had been reelected as chairman for a second, one-year term. Also elected were Mylan Pharmaceuticals president Tony Mauro, as vice chairman; and Momenta Pharmaceuticals president Craig Wheeler, as secretary treasurer.

February 18, 2011
NACDS, NCPA call pharmacy 'backbone of Medicaid's drug benefit'

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday sent a joint letter to every governor and state Medicaid director on the importance of pharmacies in Medicaid and the industry’s interest in working with state governments to cut costs.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday sent a joint letter to every governor and state Medicaid director on the importance of pharmacies in Medicaid and the industry’s interest in working with state governments to cut costs.

February 18, 2011
Second half of cold-flu season may cough up sales

NEW YORK — The second half of the 2010-2011 cough-cold-flu season actually may realize greater sales of symptom relievers than last year, judging from the four weeks ended Dec. 26. According to Matrixx president and CEO Bill Hemelt, sales of remedies were on the rise in those four weeks. Hemelt noted that the total cough-cold category was 5% higher than the same period last year and growing. 


February 18, 2011
THE MESSAGE: A ‘laser-like focus’ on consumers

Walgreens is ready for its closeup.


After a two-year, top-to-bottom makeover — and a relentless focus on its core customers and its broad mission as a health, wellness and convenient shopping destination — the company that wants to “own well” has honed its message to consumers: Walgreens is ready to be the nation’s top wellness destination.

February 18, 2011
THE PHARMACY: Enter the ‘community health provider’



As the costs of primary care march steadily higher and patients endure ever-longer wait times to see a family physician, the need for accessible, cost-effective patient care alternatives has become both obvious and urgent. 


Enter Walgreens. Armed with new, time-saving 
pharmacy automation tools, a growing offsite-dispensing capability and an array of new adherence and disease-management services, the company heavily is promoting its pharmacists and in-store clinicians as the most cost-effective front-line resource for community-based patient care.


February 18, 2011
THE STORES: CCR and the best of Duane Reade

The CCR foundation has been laid. Now comes the next phase in Walgreens’ campaign to “enhance the customer experience.”


Customer Centric Retailing is rolling across the chain’s coast-to-coast store network like a tide. The effort — aimed at aligning Walgreens’ mix with what its customers really want from the stores; eliminating hundreds of redundant, slow-turning SKUs; and boosting front-end productivity — already has transformed more than 2,100 Walgreens stores. Another 3,400 are up for renovation by the end of this year.

February 18, 2011
The vision:
 Walgreens wants to ‘own well’



Talk about a bold retail vision. Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson said the nation’s top pharmacy retailer wants nothing less than to “own well.”

February 18, 2011
THE WEB: Multichannel shoppers

There’s a reason Walgreens’ leaders are pushing so hard to upgrade communications capabilities and reach consumers through every channel, from stores and drive-through pharmacies to social media and smart phones. “Multichannel shoppers are three times more valuable to a retailer than a single-channel shopper,” president and CEO Greg Wasson said in January.


February 15, 2011
A&P continues turnaround strategy, looking to close 32 stores

Bankrupt grocer A&P has filed a motion seeking court approval to close 32 stores in six states as the company continues to implement its financial and operational restructuring. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company's fiscal first quarter, subject to court approval.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P has filed a motion seeking court approval to close 32 stores in six states as the company continues to implement its financial and operational restructuring. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company's fiscal first quarter, subject to court approval.

February 15, 2011
NACDS: Pharmacy services provide effective, bipartisan solutions

Upon the unveiling of President Obama's budget proposal, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson said the budget proposal serves as yet another opportunity to highlight the "important role of pharmacy services as a bipartisan solution to an ongoing challenge: reducing healthcare costs while improving people's lives, particularly in the treatment of chronic conditions."

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Upon the unveiling of President Obama's budget proposal, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson said the budget proposal serves as yet another opportunity to highlight the "important role of pharmacy services as a bipartisan solution to an ongoing challenge: reducing healthcare costs while improving people's lives, particularly in the treatment of chronic conditions."

February 15, 2011
Orabrush completes investment round

Tongue cleaner Orabrush has closed a $2.5 million investment round with True Ventures of Palo Alto, Calif., and returning investor 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners of Chicago. The funds will be used to help accelerate the company's retail growth strategy, according to the manufacturer.

SALT LAKE CITY — Tongue cleaner Orabrush has closed a $2.5 million investment round with True Ventures of Palo Alto, Calif., and returning investor 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners of Chicago. The funds will be used to help accelerate the company's retail growth strategy, according to the manufacturer.

February 15, 2011
PCMA leader: Generics, mail-order pharmacy help save money

Mark Merritt, the president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, responded to a provision on the Pentagon's new budget proposal, which encourages Tricare members to use generic medications and mail-service pharmacies to save money.

WASHINGTON — Mark Merritt, the president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, responded to a provision on the Pentagon's new budget proposal, which encourages Tricare members to use generic medications and mail-service pharmacies to save money.

February 14, 2011
Davis named Walmart's global consumer insights chief

Walmart has named Cindy Davis EVP of its global consumer insights business unit created two weeks ago as part of a larger corporate restructuring.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has named Cindy Davis EVP of its global consumer insights business unit created two weeks ago as part of a larger corporate restructuring.

Davis, who joined Walmart in 2007 and previously served as EVP membership and marketing for Sam’s Club, will continue to report to Sam’s Club president and CEO Brian Cornell, although she will be responsible for understanding broad consumer trends worldwide and for creating advanced analytical tools to support the business.

February 14, 2011
Meg Whitman rejoins P&G's board

The former president and CEO of eBay has returned to Procter & Gamble's board of directors, effective immediately.

CINCINNATI — The former president and CEO of eBay has returned to Procter & Gamble's board of directors, effective immediately.

Meg Whitman, who worked as a brand assistant for P&G after graduating from Harvard Business School, served on P&G's board from 2003 to 2008. During her career, Whitman served as president and CEO of eBay from 1998 until 2008. Whitman also ran for governor of California in the 2010 elections.

February 9, 2011
Prestige rides OTC crest in Q3 gains

Prestige Brands posted gains of 22.7% in revenue, reaching $90.6 million for its third quarter ended Dec. 31.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands posted gains of 22.7% in revenue, reaching $90.6 million for its third quarter ended Dec. 31.

February 3, 2011
Former NCPA executive joins GPhA

The former top executive of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association may have gone to work for the National Community Pharmacists Association, but the generic drug industry trade group got one of the independent pharmacy group’s executives as well.

WASHINGTON — The former top executive of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association may have gone to work for the National Community Pharmacists Association, but the generic drug industry trade group got one of the independent pharmacy group’s executives as well.

February 3, 2011
HHS to state Medicaid programs: Offer more generic drugs

The Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging state governments to save money with generic drugs.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging state governments to save money with generic drugs.

In a document released Thursday, HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged all 50 state governors to increase the use of generic drugs in their state Medicaid programs.

February 2, 2011
ConAgra CEO named GMA chairman

The Grocery Manufacturers Association elected a new chairman for its board of directors.

WASHINGTON — The Grocery Manufacturers Association elected a new chairman for its board of directors.

Gary Rodkin, ConAgra Foods CEO, will serve as chairman of GMA's board, effective Feb. 16. Rodkin will serve a two-year term.

Prior to this position, Rodkin served as GMA's vice chairman, as well as chairman of the organization's government affairs council. Rodkin has worked at ConAgra since 2005.

In related news, GMA also announced the election of five new members of the board of directors:

February 1, 2011
BioScrip trims costs with two-part initiative

Specialty pharmacy provider BioScrip hopes to save $15 million through a cost-reduction and streamlining plan, the company said Monday.

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — Specialty pharmacy provider BioScrip hopes to save $15 million through a cost-reduction and streamlining plan, the company said Monday.

Much of the two-part initiative will be implemented this year and completed by next year. Savings will mostly come from overhead, reduction of spending and restructuring of employee-benefit programs.

February 1, 2011
P&G's Steele to retire, business units to be consolidated

Procter & Gamble on Tuesday announced that Robert Steele, vice chairman of global health and well-being, will retire effective Sept. 1.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble on Tuesday announced that Robert Steele, vice chairman of global health and well-being, will retire effective Sept. 1.

Steele oversees oral care, feminine care, personal health care, pet care and snacks for P&G.

Between now and September, Steele will serve as vice chairman of healthcare strategy, reporting to P&G chairman, president and CEO Robert McDonald.

February 1, 2011
Three issues that will define 2011

Years 2009 and 2010 were up and down for the generic drug industry and its main trade group, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. On one hand, there were the departures of president and CEO Kathleen Jaeger and member company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.