Tens of billions of dollars have flooded into health IT in recent years, making that sector "as sexy an [investment] as social media and gaming," experts say. Find out what 15 leading pharmacy services companies — traditionalists and start-ups alike — are doing to bring new innovation to the HIT segment.

Behind every prescription that lands at the pharmacy counter is a series of events that influence the prescriber’s decision. Powered by data from SDI Health, Drug Store News goes inside the examination room in this exclusive report, providing an in-depth look at the critical factors that shape pharmaceutical sales trends and shift market share from one drug to another in 10 key market segments.

Happy days are here again! Consumer confidence rebounded 1.6 points in April from a dip in March, according to the Consumer Confidence Index, despite the fact that high-gas-price stories are dominating the airwaves. That suggests consumers may be willing to try new things again — in other words, to buy something new — and that is excellent news for niche manufacturers. In this annual report, DSN calculates the value of niche brands.

In November 2010, The Drug Store News Group hosted in New York an exclusive round-table discussion among leading executives from a vast array of retailers and a handful of key vendors. Moderated by DSN editor-in-chief Rob Eder, the panel tackled a wide range of issues, from the role of private label to improving store execution, inventory optimization and more. In part two, featured here, the panel tackles beauty care.

In November 2010, The Drug Store News Group hosted in New York an exclusive round-table discussion among leading executives from a vast array of retailers and a handful of key vendors. Moderated by DSN publisher Wayne Bennett, the panel tackled a wide range of issues, from the role of private label to improving store execution, inventory optimization and more. In part one, featured here, the panel tackles health and wellness.

Talk about a bold retail vision. Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson said the nation’s top pharmacy retailer wants nothing less than to “own well.” He’s serious. Owning “well” — or, put another way, becoming the nation’s top retail resource for pharmacy and health-and-wellness services and products — is the kind of declaration few retail pharmacy executives would dare utter. But Wasson isn’t running just any drug store chain.

Regional chain Bartell Drugs will sponsor a food drive starting on Sunday, the company said.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their partnership of Mueller Sports Medicine and Quench Gum for the 2013 regular season.

A Food and Drug Administration panel will consider whether to recommend approval for an experimental painkiller in July, the drug's developer said Friday.

Health benefits are among the top characteristics playing a role in personal product selection, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. More than three-quarters of shoppers consider the health benefits when buying a health, beauty or hygiene product.

Kroger publicly congratulated Kathleen Barclay, corporate officer and SVP human resources, for her recognition as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement. Barclay was honored along with eight other women at YWCA's annual event.

Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating cholesterol, the company said.