In this Issue

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in December ruled in favor of Wegmans and supermarkets across the state over whether or not the grocers could sell beer on their premises — the ruling expands what many consider to be the most restrictive alcohol distribution laws in the country. 


In Pennsylvania, beer can be purchased only from a restaurant/bar or beer distributor. Beer distributors can sell only by the case or keg, while restaurants and bars cannot sell more than 16 12-oz. beers per purchase. 


WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its members from across the country once again are flocking to Capitol Hill for RxImpact Day, a groundbreaking, two-day event that enables pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the vital role of retail pharmacy within the U.S. healthcare system and its ability to help reduce annual healthcare costs.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Convenient care industry pioneer Kevin Smith took a leap more than 10 years ago and helped create the successful nurse practitioner-staffed retail clinic concept. Today, the industry trailblazer is embarking on a new venture to further revolutionize access to health care. Enter Zipnosis.com.


LAS VEGAS — While Apple’s iPad and the long line of next-generation electronic tablets hitting the market this year may have been the “sexy” items at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show, it was the unprecedented number of healthcare-related consumer electronics that better served as a harbinger of what’s to come.

Thanks to technological innovations within mascara, the category has driven sales of eye makeup, and looking forward, mascara formulas that are infused with eyelash-enhancing treatments and packaging that offers greater customization not only will volumize lashes but also sales at retail.



Continued product innovation in the sugarless gum segment helped push dollar sales ahead nearly 5% for the 12 weeks ended Nov. 28, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group.


“Constant newness has been driving the category, and as manufacturers continue to invest in advertising, consumer interest remains high,” said Lisbeth Echeandia, VP trade marketing for consulting group Frey Enterprises.


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.



It appears that even the “King of All Media” Howard Stern gets his news from Drug Store News. Traffic on the site spiked in late December when a DrugStoreNews.com story made it into Stern sidekick Robin Quivers’ daily news broadcast during the Thursday, Dec. 16 show. The Stern Web page also linked to the story under the “It’s Time for Robin’s News” section in the rundown for the satellite radio program’s show (“Use lanolin on your cracked nipples” at HowardStern.com/Rundown.hs).