WASHINGTON — In a proposal that could appease some critics of federal health care reform, President Obama says he will support moving up the timetable in which states may opt out of the law. Speaking before the National Governors Association, the president said that he would approve allowing states to opt out of the Affordable
NEW YORK — The nation’s two largest drug store chains — Walgreen Co. and CVS Caremark Corp. — are ramping up their efforts to drive private label sales. Walgreens has launched its first national ad campaign for its store brand H&BAs, while CVS/pharmacy has debuted nearly 100 household essentials under the Just the Basics private
BELLEVUE, Wash. — Drugstore.com says the proliferation of mobile applications and social media will help its sales climb to at least $750 million by 2013. The online retailer, which also operates the sites beauty.com, skinstore.com and visiondirect.com, has continually posted strong and growing sales numbers, but it has yet to report an annual profit. Executives
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration vows to remove about 500 unapproved cold and allergy medications from the market as part of an ongoing crackdown on ineffective prescription drugs. Although the agency requires companies to submit all new prescription drugs for scientific review before they are launched, thousands of drugs predate the FDA’s drug
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — To help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health, CVS/pharmacy has rolled out the 2011 “To Your Health” program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events nationwide. The program launched in Miami and Texas this month and continues in Los
The last day of February was the last day of Tom Ryan’s incredible run as chief executive officer at CVS Caremark Corp. In a tenure that spanned 17 years, beginning in January 1994 — when, at age 42, he became only the third CEO in the history of a retailer that began business as a
ELMSFORD, N.Y. — BioScrip Inc. saw overall revenue and pharmacy services sales rise for its fiscal 2010 fourth quarter and full year but posted a net loss in both periods. The company said Friday that total sales for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, climbed 31.9% year over year to $450.4 million, mainly as
IRVINE, Calif. — Cobalis Corp.’s PreHistin Allergy Defense Formula has been recognized with ECRM’s 2011 Best New Product Award. Cobalis said Thursday that PreHistin, which the company bills as the first-ever pre-histamine, was presented with the Best New Product Award at the recent ECRM Cough, Cold and Allergy show in Orlando, Fla. A natural allergy
WASHINGTON — Taking action in the wake of massive product recalls, the Food and Drug Administration has initiated the filing of a consent decree of permanent injunction against McNeil-PPC and two of its officers for failing to comply with federal good manufacturing practice requirements. The FDA said Thursday that the action prevents McNeil, a Johnson
CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble Co. has announced a leadership succession for its global product supply officer. P&G said Thursday that global product supply officer R. Keith Harrison, 63, is slated to retire on Sept. 1 after more than 41 years of service. Until his retirement, Harrison will serve as officer on special assignment, reporting
WASHINGTON — In tandem with its RxImpact Day lobbying drive on Capitol Hill, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has relaunched its paid advertising campaign to communicate the integral role pharmacy plays in the health care delivery system. NACDS also said Thursday that it held a press conference with Sen. Kay Hagan (D., N.C.)
DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a victory for brick-and-mortar retailers, Walgreen Co. has applauded Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn for signing into law a bill that expands application of the state’s sales tax. The drug store chain said late Thursday that Quinn signed House Bill 3659, the Main Street Fairness Act, which will require major online retailers to
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Joe Magnacca, the executive who played a central role in the rejuvenation of Duane Reade and, following its sale to Walgreen Co. in 2010, headed the New York City drug store chain, has taken on a new assignment at the parent company. Walgreens on Friday named Magnacca president of daily living products
DORVAL, Quebec — Novartis has been cleared to market the first oral treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Canada. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. said Thursday that it has received Notice of Compliance in Canada for Gilenya (fingolimod), the first disease-modifying oral therapy developed for the relapsing-remitting form of MS, the most common type of the
