LONGUEUIL, Quebec — Jean Coutu Group and its franchised drug store network saw robust sales gains for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and ended the year on an up note. The Canadian pharmacy retailer also reported increased profit, exceeding the earnings-per-share (EPS) forecast of financial analysts. Jean Coutu said Thursday that for the 14-week fourth
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Gains in the pharmacy and front end lifted same-store sales at Rite Aid Corp. for April. The drug chain said Thursday that for the four weeks ended April 28, comparable-store sales rose 2.9%, down from the 3.6% comp-store sales increase in March but continuing a string of monthly gains over the
BASEL, Switzerland — Sandoz, the generic drug subsidiary of Novartis, plans to buy Fougera Pharmaceuticals in a cash deal of about $1.53 billion. Novartis said late Wednesday that, pending regulatory approvals, it expects to finalize the transaction in the second half of this year. Fougera’s sellers encompass a consortium of private equity funds, led by
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Sanofi has announced the U.S. launch of the iBGStar Blood Glucose Monitoring System, which the company said is the first Food and Drug Administration-approved blood glucose meter that connects directly to the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. Sanofi said Wednesday that iBGStar, which consists of the iBGStar blood glucose meter and iBGStar Diabetes
CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble Co. has unveiled Pepto-Bismol To-Go, a more portable version of its venerable stomach remedy. P&G said Wednesday that Pepto-Bismol To-Go takes Pepto-Bismol "outside of the medicine cabinet" by putting it in a more compact, convenient form: 12 chewable tablets in a pink plastic cylinder no larger than a lipstick tube.
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. posted sharp revenue and same-store sales gains for the first quarter as its retail pharmacy business reaped the benefits of the contract impasse between rivals Walgreen Co. and Express Scripts Inc. Adjusted earnings per share also came in above the consensus forecast of Wall Street analysts. CVS said Wednesday
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has boosted vaccine availability in Massachusetts with new state regulations that permit pharmacists to administer a broad range of immunizations. Walgreens said Wednesday that it has "significantly expanded" the range of vaccinations at all of its 165 drug stores in Massachusetts and is now offering immunizations daily for 12 vaccines
PITTSBURGH — Mylan Inc. has begun shipping doxycycline hyclate delayed-release tablets (150 mg), an oral antibiotic, after a favorable ruling in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Warner Chilcott. The product is the first generic version of Doryx 150 mg, developed by Mayne Pharma and marketed by Warner Chilcott, according to Mylan. A tetracycline-class antimicrobial,
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen Corp. has closed its $520 million cash deal to buy World Courier Group Inc. The pharmaceutical distributor said Tuesday that the acquisition is expected to be neutral to its fiscal 2012 earnings and accretive in fiscal 2013. Plans call for World Courier to become a new operating segment within AmerisourceBergen,
PITTSBURGH — H.J. Heinz Co. has made Heinz Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar a full-time member of its product family. Heinz Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar was offered as a limited edition last fall. The company said Tuesday that in response to strong consumer feedback, Heinz Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar is now part of
NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive Co.’s Speed Stick Power brand has teamed up with television star Danny Pudi for a campaign called "How Do You #HANDLEIT?" on social media site Twitter. The company said Monday that the antiperspirant/deodorant brand is asking guys to tweet their best "Handle It" moments — that is, those times when guys
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has rolled out an updated mobile application that enables shoppers to digitally store their ExtraCare loyalty card in a smartphone. The drug store chain said Tuesday that the upgraded mobile app eliminates the need for customers to carry their ExtraCare card when shopping. To load their ExtraCare card onto a smartphone,
PITTSBURGH — Mylan Inc. has entered into an agreement with Teva that settles pending patent litigation related to Nuvigil (armodafinil), a medication for sleep disorders. Mylan said Monday that the settlement enables it to begin selling generic versions of 50-mg, 150-mg and 250-mg armodafinil tablets under license starting in June 2016, or earlier under certain
DALLAS — Kimberly-Clark Corp. has launched the new U by Kotex Sleek Tampons and U by Kotex CleanWear Pads in retail outlets nationwide. The company said Monday that these latest additions to the U by Kotex feminine care line provide solid protection and performance through innovative designs. In what Kimberly-Clark called a "first of its
