Labor & Employment

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Astellas has named the heads of two regional sales leads The company on Wednesday promoted David Musselman to be area VP sales, primary care and specialty care-east, and named Lynn Gerber area VP sales, primary care and specialty care-west.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday named Liz Ferneding to Ruler division president, effective July 31. Ferneding succeeds Paul Bowen, who retired in May.

"Liz's extensive grocery retail experience in procurement, marketing, advertising, management and operations will be an asset to our Ruler associates, customers and community," stated Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO. "We have a lot of respect for the Ruler format and the customer it serves. Liz's talent and insights will help us sharpen our value-centric, small-format store."

With the FBI estimating that U.S. robberies have caused $390 million in losses in 2015, one of the most important steps independent pharmacists can take for their businesses and customers is security. Thinking a pharmacy is immune from theft or robbery is one of the biggest misconceptions Cardinal Health’s Director of Security Jason Blumenauer, said — and he also notes that ensuring a secure pharmacy doesn’t have to break the bank.

Pharmacy owners who are retiring or getting out of the business often face the question of what to do with their pharmacy. The solution that preserves the community business, while continuing to serve their patients, is to find an independent pharmacist buyer — which can be a daunting process.

CHICAGO — Morningstar, a provider of independent investment research, on Thursday named Jason Dubinsky CFO, effective July 24. Dubinsky joins Morningstar from Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he was SVP and CFO of planning and central operations and responsible for accounting and shared service functions for Walgreens’ U.S. operations.

DUBLIN — Endo will be selling its Mexico City-based Grupo Farmcéuitco SOMAR division to Advent International, the company announced Wednesday. The deal will see the Mexican private generics leader sold to Advent for roughly $124 million.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Friday filed litigation against Lidl US for infringing on the grocer's own private label program.

At issue is Lidl US' own brand "Preferred Selection," which Kroger charges is virtually indentical to that company's store label "Private Selection." "Lidl's actions herein have been willful and deliberate acts of infringement and unfair competition, which will cause irreparable harm and other damages to Kroger," Kroger stated in its suit filing.