honored for editorial excellence in business media

NEW YORK, Pa. Drug Store News Group has been honored by the American Society of Business Publication Editors, this year winning three of the organization’s annual awards for editorial excellence.—For the third consecutive year, The

Taking the top spot in the Northeast Region for the Best Special Section, was Drug Store News’ 2006 Annual Pharmacy Report, “Retail Rx Draws a Line in the Sand,” which appeared in the Aug. 21, 2006, issue of Drug Store News, which debuted a year ago at the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference.

“I get questions all the time about what makes Drug Store News different,” publisher John Kenlon said. “These awards are a pretty strong indication of what sets us apart from the competition—it’s about compelling, responsible journalism.“

In addition, the Drug Store News Group won the Bronze award in the Best Special Section of the Year category, for “The Power Purchasers: 12 Customers Drug Retailers Need to Know Better,” which appeared in the June 26, 2006 issue of Drug Store News.

“This is an important achievement for our editors,” noted Drug Store News Group editor in chief Rob Eder. “Winning a Gold AZBEE in a category as competitive as Best Special Section—and for an issue as critical to the industry we cover, as our Annual Pharmacy Report—is a strong reflection of the hard work and dedication our entire team demonstrates every day—from our reporters in the field, to our art department and copy desk back here in New York. You don’t win an award for a 60-page special report all by yourself.

“Still, if there is one person on our staff that deserves more credit than the rest, it’s senior editor Jim Frederick,” Eder continued. “As much as he hates to admit it, Jim has been covering retail pharmacy for more than 30 years; we don’t win that award without Jim Frederick’s knowledge of our industry and his passion for the business.”

Eder received a gold ASBPE award for his regular column in Drug Store News, marking the third consecutive year he has been honored by ASBPE for his editorials. “Rob is clearly an advocate for this industry and his columns address issues that are top-of-mind with industry opinion leaders,” Kenlon added.

With total submissions numbering more than 2,700 entries, the AZBEEs is one of the most competitive journalism award programs in the country. Other 2007 AZBEE winners include, BusinessWeek, CIO and Computer-World magazines.