US Pharm. 2006;31(9):6.
Rite Aid Buys Brooks and
Eckerd Drugstores
Camp Hill, Pa., and
Longueuil, Quebec--In a deal said to be valued at $3.4 billion, Rite Aid has
agreed to buy Eckerd and Brooks drugstores from Jean Coutu Group USA. The deal
will make Rite Aid the third largest drugstore chain in the United States.
Rite Aid's headquarters will remain in Camp Hill, and Eckerd and Brooks will
be rebranded as Rite Aid. The acquisition will add four states--Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, and North Carolina--to Rite Aid's current store
locations. The combined fiscal 2006 revenues of Rite Aid and the Jean Coutu
Group USA were approximately $26.8 billion.
FDA Advisory Board Review
of Desvenlafaxine Canceled
Madison, N.J.--Wyeth
has announced that the FDA Advisory Board has canceled a meeting to review
data included in its New Drug Application for desvenlafaxine succinate
extended release, a dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor indicated
for the treatment of major depressive disorder. According to Wyeth, FDA has
decided it is no longer necessary to hold the meeting before issuing its
action letter in October. Wyeth said it is encouraged by this development and
believes its comprehensive clinical trials program for desvenlafaxine
succinate supports the product's approval.
Medicine Shoppe and Medicap
Pharmacy to Open In-Store Clinics
St. Louis--Medicine
Shoppe International, Inc., reported it has formed an alliance with MindGent
Health Care Clinics to open "Classic Care Clinics," which will be staffed by
nurse practitioners or physician assistants, in several of its franchised
Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy stores. The company expects to have more
than 100 clinics nationwide by the end of 2007, with the first clinics opening
in Indiana and Ohio this year.
Independent Pharmacy Co-Ops
Join Forces
Phoenix--United
Drugs and Partners in Pharmacy Cooperative will expand their current
relationship, which is centered primarily in managed care, to provide
programs, services, and contracting capabilities for nationwide independently
owned and operated pharmacies. According to a company spokesperson, the goal
of the new partnership is to develop joint programs that will focus on the
profitability of their combined membership.
Wellness Promotion Program
Launched for Children
New York City--Touro
College's School of Education and Psychology and Columbia University/Columbia
Presbyterian Hospital have come together to create Health Corps, wellness
promotion programs designed to give at-risk children information on
medications, pharmacists, and pharmacy career options. Current programs in
several upper Manhattan high schools are expected to expand.
NCPA Opposes Proposed Rule
on Sale of Durable Medical Equipment
Alexandria, Va.--The
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is opposing the Competitive
Acquisition Program of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. NCPA
believes this proposed rule would limit patients' access to durable medical
equipment. Beginning in 2007, the Competitive Acquisition Program would
require pharmacists to obtain additional accreditation and submit to a
competitive bidding process in order to continue to sell these essential
supplies to Medicare beneficiaries.
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