NewsBytes on CVS and Rite Aid's latest promotions, Katz Group's latest hire, GSK's plans to divest OTC brands, and more

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has named Helena Foulkes EVP and chief healthcare strategy and marketing officer. In the newly created role, Foulkes will bring together the company’s capabilities in enterprise branding, communications, community relations, charitable giving, healthcare-reform strategy, government relations and marketing into one integrated organization in an effort to deliver even better business results and stronger partnerships.


CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid in April named Tony Montini EVP merchandising. Previously, Montini had served as SVP category management.


As EVP merchandising, Montini, who began working for Rite Aid in February 2010, will oversee field merchandising and new store format development in addition to his current category management responsibilities. He will continue reporting to COO Ken Martindale. Montini’s new responsibilities include the Wellness stores, Value + stores and co-branded Save-A-Lot/Rite Aid stores.


In addition, SVP business development Bryan Shirtliff has been promoted to the new position of SVP merchandising. Shirtliff will report to Montini and will continue to be responsible for store segmentation initiatives and front-end merchandising.


TORONTO — Retail pharmacy network Katz Group Canada has hired Frank Scorpiniti as COO. With more than 20 years of retail pharmacy experience, Scorpiniti previously was SVP pharmacy operations at Duane Reade. Prior to Duane Reade, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Longs Drug Stores.


BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Dijuana Lewis was named SVP healthcare solutions at Walmart. She will report to John Agwunobi, president of Walmart’s health-and-wellness business unit. Lewis most recently served as president and CEO of health benefits company Wellpoint’s comprehensive health solutions business unit, where she spent 16 years. She is expected to oversee development of products and services in collaboration with a third-party payer in the healthcare industry.


LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline last month identified several noncore OTC brands it intends to divest in order to focus its efforts around a portfolio of fast-growing consumer health brands and emerging markets. The company plans to complete all transactions by the end of the year.


The products include analgesics Solpadeine, BC and Goody’s; Abtei vitamin and supplement; feminine hygiene treatment Lactacyd; and Alli for weight management. The products had sales in 2010 of approximately $816.9 million.


Following the divestment, GSK Consumer Healthcare will focus on three priority categories: oral health, wellness/OTC and nutrition.