Pharmacy Business

QUINCY, Mass. -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. here has teamed with Omron, a manufacturer of home blood pressure kits, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis, for "Know Your Numbers" campaign, which provides consumers with information on the importance of controlling and monitoring their blood pressure. The program will take place at all Stop & Shop pharmacies throughout February, which is Heart Health Month.

BOSTON -- Wal-Mart's stance against the so-called "morning after" pill -- dealt another round of publicity by the Massachusetts State Pharmacy Board's decision this week to require the retailer to carry the drug at its 44 stores and four warehouse clubs in the state -- could lead to the further tarnishing of Wal-Mart's bruised public image, if the company isn't careful, according to a New York-based retail expert.

COLTON, Calif. -- First-quarter profits may be flat for Stater Bros., based here, but the grocer is experiencing growth in the number of its pharmacy departments. In a telephone interview with Progressive Grocer, Stater Bros. v.p. and c.o.o. Phil Smith referred to the in-store pharmacies as a "good experience" for the company.

CARTERET, N.J. -- This week 150 pharmacists at 48 New York Pathmark stores staged a one-day "sickout" that closed many of the locations' pharmacy sections, although the Mid-Atlantic grocery chain now reports that all of its in-store pharmacy departments in the state have reopened.

CARLISLE, Pa. -- With one-stop shopping quickly becoming a growing trend, Giant Food Stores here and its Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops Markets sister division are embarking on two new ways to add even greater value for customers: a new "Guaranteed Value" grocery and household product line and a new "Your Neighborhood Drugstore," concept for its heath and beauty care and sundries categories.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets here said yesterday it has signed an exclusive agreement with The Little Clinic LLC in Louisville, Ky., to open medical clinics within an unspecified number of Publix stores this year. The regional retailer will place the first clinics in the Miami, Orlando, and Tampa markets in the first half of 2006.

Giant of Landover is automating its way to a more convenient method of serving pharmacy customers.

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Leading drugstore chain Walgreens here has once again increased benefits for its employees called to active military duty. The company said yesterday that those employees answering their country's call will receive special benefits for up to 42 months.