News Briefs

The Senate Finance Committee released a new package of legislation that includes additional policies to reform pharmacy benefit managers, a longstanding priority of the National Community Pharmacists Association. The committee, which is led by Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), voted on Nov. 8 on the proposal. 

The new package includes provisions requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to define contract terms and conditions that are “reasonable and relevant” under Medicare Part D and force PBMs to comply while creating a process for pharmacies to report problematic contract terms or potential violations, which is a positive step. NCPA also appreciates that Congress sees the need to propose new solutions to protect patient access to essential pharmacies in underserved areas, which NCPA said it is still reviewing. 

“PBM reforms are essential before it’s too late—not only for independent pharmacies, but also the patients who rely on them,” said Douglas Hoey, CEO of NCPA. “Congress has a lot of important work to do, but providing relief from PBM-insurer practices will benefit millions of patients and must not get punted. NCPA is grateful to Sens. Wyden and Crapo and the Finance Committee for continuing to push on this and are eager to help these changes get across the finish line.” 

Giant is set to open a new store and fuel station in Salisbury Township, in Allentown, Pa. 

The new location, which is set to be approximately 68,000 sq. ft., is a redevelopment of a vacated section within the South Mall Shopping Center. Upon completion, the company’s current store and fuel facility located at 3015 West Emmaus Ave. in Allentown will close. 

“After 35 years at our current location on West Emmaus Ave., it’s time to grow our store footprint and move a little further up the road,” said John Ruane, president of Giant. “A larger and updated store will allow us to offer our Allentown area families the latest amenities while underscoring our commitment to providing our customers with great value, the best quality and friendly service they’ve come to expect from Giant.”

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2025 subject to obtaining all of the necessary permits and approvals. Specific store amenities and employment opportunities, as well as opening dates, will be shared at a later date.

Currently, Giant operates seven stores and employs more than 1,400 team members in Lehigh County.

There’s a new mascara hitting shelves from CoverGirl. 

The Lash Blast Cleantopia Ultramarine Mascara, which uses a plant-powered formula, is new to the brand. It contains Ultramarine pigments for an intense black color with a hint of blue made to make eyes pop. 

The mascara is designed to give the appearance of brighter and more wide-awake-looking eyes and contains a formula that aims to leave lashes feeling conditioned and provide up to 302% more volume than bare lashes, the company said. 

The mascara contains aloe leaf extract, ceramides and sustainably sourced rainforest maracuja oil. The product will launch with a campaign that features spokesperson and country music star Kelsea Ballerini. 

CoverGirl’s new Lash Blast Cleantopia Ultramarine Mascara retails for $13.99. 

Walgreens recently launched two new affordable and innovative product collections that help protect the skin’s barrier and improve hydration without compromising quality, efficiency or creativity.

The new offerings include:

• The Modern Expressions Head-to-Toe Masks ($3.99-$5.99) feature 16 new face-to-toe masking solutions like eye goggles, chest firming masks and foot treatments, that contain premium ingredients to exfoliate rough and dead skin cells, even skin tone and brighten complexion, encourage skin elasticity and luminosity and so much more.
• The Walgreens Brand Acne Patches ($10.99) feature 3 patches for the body, nose and face. It’s made with hydrocolloid gel which absorbs fluids such as oil and pus from pores and protects the skin as it heals by keeping out dirt and debris that can interfere with the process.

Desert Essence is unveiling plastic and aluminum-free deodorants, which combine its expert formulation with sustainable practices, addressing consumer concerns about plastic waste and harmful ingredients, the company noted.

The brand, leveraging its heritage in tea tree oil, offers deodorants that feature Australian tea tree oil which is known for its antiseptic properties. This ingredient works to neutralize odor-causing bacteria, to help provide long-lasting protection throughout the day. Dedicated to sustainability, these products are packaged in a 100% compostable paperboard tube with a vegetable-derived oil-resistant liner, helping to reduce both the brand and consumers’ ecological footprints, the company said.

The new Desert Essence deodorants are available in a range of scents including lemongrass, tea tree lavender, coconut and fresh powder. 

Made with cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan ingredients, the products are made in the United States with globally sourced ingredients. In addition, the deodorants are formulated to contain no animal-derived ingredients, no artificial fragrances or dyes and no petroleum compounds. As an added dimension of ethical beauty, Desert Essence holds B Corp certification, reflecting its dedication to verified social and environmental performance, the company said.

"We're excited to introduce our Plastic and Aluminum-Free Deodorants because we’re committed to finding ways to redefine self-care by merging efficacy, sustainability and natural ingredients," said Christine Allmer, director of marketing for Desert Essence. "In addition to being free from aluminum and parabens, our formulations harness the potency of Tea Tree Oil while soothing sensitive skin with coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter.”

Available for an SRP of $11.99 per 2.25 oz. paper tube, these new deodorants are available online and at select retailers nationwide.

Known for its duo of chocolate and peanut butter, Reese's brand is introducing a game-changing addition to the candy aisle: Reese's Caramel Big Cup.

The Reese's brand is adding a gooey layer of caramel to the peanut butter cup in a Big Cup format for the first time ever.

"Next to peanut butter, caramel is the most requested combination with chocolate—and while Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are already perfect, ask, and you shall receive," said Emily Stover, Reese's senior associate brand manager. "As the experts in chocolate and peanut butter deliciousness, we know what our fans want, and we're delivering on that with the Reese's Caramel Big Cup."

Starting Nov. 17, consumers nationwide can enjoy standard and king-size packages of the brand-new Reese's Caramel Big Cup.