NewsBytes on WAG's community Rx conference, ABC CEO's retirement, CHPA's new chair and more

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens in March expanded Joseph Magnacca’s role. As president of daily living products and solutions, Magnacca — the former Shoppers Drug Mart vet who as chief merchant of Duane Reade proved instrumental in the reinvention of the New York drug store chain — will oversee Walgreens’ marketing and merchandising operations, led by chief marketing officer Kim Feil and chief merchandising officer Bryan Pugh, but will report directly to president and CEO Greg Wasson.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas House of Representatives in March passed a bill that would require that pseudoephedrine-based products be sold by pharmacists only, and would restrict sales to state residents and military personnel only. The bill also would allow the state board of pharmacy to require similar restrictions on other nonprescription medicines, such as dextromethorphan.

CHICAGO — Walgreens has taken the message of the expanding role of community pharmacy to the streets. During the 11th annual Population Health and Care Coordination Colloquium on March 15 in Philadelphia, Walgreens chief medical officer Cheryl Pegus highlighted the broad range of services that can be offered by the pharmacist beyond simply dispensing medication. Later that week, Richard Ashworth, Walgreens VP pharmacy services, talked about the consumer medical care model and how Walgreens’ pharmacists and nurse practitioners fit in, in a live online “Health Chat” hosted by Chicago Tribune reporter Bruce Jaspen.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — After 37 years with the company, AmerisourceBergen CEO David Yost will retire, effective July 1. Yost will be succeeded by Steven Collis, currently president and COO, responsible for all AmerisourceBergen business units.

WASHINGTON — Members of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association in March elected Paul Sturman, president and general manager of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, to chair the association’s board. Sturman is CHPA’s 54th chair and succeeds Christopher DeWolf of Lil’ Drug Store Products.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition announced a partnership with Drug Store News to provide content about the dietary supplement industry to thousands of pharmacists through DSN’s Pharmacist Society — an online community that enables its users easy access to information most relevant to pharmacists.

TRABUCO CANYON, Calif. — Retired Leiner Health SVP marketing Bob LaFerriere, 62, passed away Feb. 4. LaFerriere, a 40-year drug industry veteran, began his career at Thrifty Drug and Discount Stores scooping ice cream. In 1992, LaFerrierre left Thrifty as SVP purchasing to become president and CEO at Slim Fast Foods.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens last month announced the sale of its pharmacy benefit management business, Walgreens Health Initiatives, to Catalyst Health Solutions for $525 million. Walgreens will retain and look to continue growing its specialty pharmacy and mail-service businesses. The transaction is expected to close in June.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Robert Ingle, 77, the founder and CEO of regional supermarket chain Ingles Markets, died March 6. Ingle will be succeeded by his son, Robert Ingle II, who has been Ingles’ chairman of the board since 2004.