
Primary care physicians ‘go-to’ source on supplements
While pharmacists are reported as the primary source of information on OTCs, doctors are the ‘go-to’ on vitamins and dietary supplements, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Two-in-5 survey participants reported that they were primarily given information about their supplements from their doctor, followed by 28% who received that information from a friend or relative, and 18% who researched their supplements online.
To see more Patient Views, click here
Patient Views is a new, exclusive consumer insights feature that appears in every edition of DSN magazine, as well as the daily e-newsletter DSN A.M. If you could ask 5,500 patients anything at all, what would it be? Send your questions to reder@lf.com.
Source: AccentHealth. To view the demographic breakdown of participants, click here.
Rite Aid finishes debt-refinancing transactions
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has completed a series of debt financing transactions it announced recently, the retail pharmacy chain said.
The transactions were meant to extend the maturity of a portion of the retailer’s debt and lower its interest expenses.
The transactions included the amendment and restatement of Rite Aid’s existing revolving credit facility to $1.795 billion and an extension of the maturity to February 2018; the refinancing of a $1.038 billion Tranche 2 Term Loan due 2014 and $331.7 million Tranche 5 Term Loan due 2018, each including accrued but unpaid interest, with the proceeds from a new $1.161 billion Tranche 6 Term Loan due 2020 under the chain’s first lien credit facility, together with borrowings under the amended revolving credit facility; the refinancing of, via a cash tender offer, Rite Aid’s $410 million aggregate principal amount of 9.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 with proceeds from the Tranche 6 Term Loan, together with borrowings under the amended revolving credit facility; the refinancing, through a tender offer, of the company’s $470 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 with the proceeds from a new $470 million Tranche 1 Term Loan due 2020 under a new second lien credit facility, together with borings under the amended revolving credit facility; and a cash tender offer for Rite Aid’s $180.3 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Debentures due 2013.
Rite Aid said it expected to record a loss on debt modifications of $117 million related to the transactions and expected to have annual cash interest savings of about $45 million.
Bloomberg: Royal Ahold possibly one step closer to making bid for Harris Teeter
NEW YORK — Royal Ahold may be one step closer to acquiring Harris Teeter, though the Dutch supermarket conglomerate has yet to make a formal bid, according to a story published Friday morning by Bloomberg.
Citing persons familiar with any potential acquisition pursuit, Bloomberg reported Ahold has contacted JPMorgan Chase, which has been retained by Harris Teeter to evaluate options.
The Bloomberg report tabulated Harris Teeter’s market value at $2 billion.
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May-29-2013 09:12 am