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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Patients who have enrolled in the new healthcare insurance marketplaces but haven't received an identification number from their insurers can receive up to a 30-day supply of prescription drugs at no upfront cost at Walgreens, the retail pharmacy chain said.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is offering prescriptions at no upfront cost to patients who enroll in the public health insurance marketplace, the mass-merchandise retailer said.

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. has joined the list of retailers offering supplies of prescription drugs at no upfront cost to customers who have enrolled in the health insurance marketplaces, but have yet to receive an identification number.

The company announced Thursday that it would offer up to a 30-day supply of certain prescription drugs to customers who provide confirmation of their enrollment at one of the retailer's pharmacies.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck is starting a new business designed to provide weight-management intervention services to employers, patients and healthcare professionals, the company said.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve a drug made by Genzyme Corp. for certain forms of multiple sclerosis, the company said Monday.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an HIV pill made by Gilead Sciences for patients who are switching from other therapy regimens, the company said.

Gilead said the FDA approved its single-pill regimen, Complera (emtricitabine; rilpivirine; tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for use in adult patients who have suppressed their infections on stable antiretroviral regimens and are replacing their current regimens. The FDA originally approved the drug in 2011.

DUBLIN — Drug maker Shire is extending the deadline for its offer to buy Exton, Pa.-based ViroPharma for $4.2 billion, Shire said Friday.

The company said it had extended the expiration date of its tender offer for ViroPharma until Jan. 9. The offer had previously been planned to expire on Thursday. Shire announced the $50-per-share offer last month.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has postponed the time it will decide whether or not to approve an experimental treatment under development by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. for ulcerative colitis, the company said.