WALGREENS

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Drugstore.com on Tuesday announced the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, with respect to the proposed merger by which the company would be acquired by Walgreens in a cash transaction.

The deal previously was announced on March 24.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Akorn, a niche generic pharmaceutical company, earlier this week entered into an agreement to acquire Advanced Vision Research, an over-the-counter ophthalmic company that promotes eye care products under the TheraTears and MacuTrition brands.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Sales for Walgreens during the month of April edged up 5.5%, thanks to a boost in both front-end and pharmacy sectors.

The drug store chain said that total front-end sales experienced a 9.4% boost, while comparable front-end sales benefited from the later Easter holiday with a 6.5% increase.

NEW YORK — Duane Reade is inviting comedic talents to supply humorous or witty captions for a Duane Reade cartoon as part of the retailer's Facebook "Caption Contest" that kicks off this week.

Each week for the next four weeks, the Manhattan-based retailer, which is owned by Walgreens, will run a caption-less cartoon in selected New York newspapers, where a uniquely New York scene or scenario is ripe for a clever caption. The subject matter in the various cartoons is designed to strike a chord with most city denizens.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Walgreens announced that it has partnered with NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products to launch an exclusive line of “The Biggest Loser”-branded meal alternative bars and shakes.

According to a company press release, the line of products, named for the popular NBC weight-loss reality show, will be offered in all of the more than 7,600 Walgreens stores nationwide beginning in May.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to aid those affected by the storms and tornadoes that recently hit the Southeast.

The drug store chain also is providing nonperishable food, medical supplies and water directly to local shelters and first responders in Alabama and Georgia. Additionally, cleaning supplies and three truckloads of water also have been donated.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that Robert Loeffler will succeed Larry Merlo as the organization's new board of directors chairman, and also announced the appointment of several other elected officers, at its 2011 Annual Meeting.

Loeffler, who serves as H-E-B's chief administrative officer, will replace Merlo, who is CVS Caremark president and CEO, as NACDS board chairman. Additionally, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson was elected vice chairman, while Thrifty White president and CEO Robert Narveson was named treasurer.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is expanding its scope of preventive healthcare services by offering daily testing for total cholesterol, blood glucose and A1C levels at more than 1,400 pharmacies across 33 states and Washington, D.C.