Projo Biz Blog

CVS Caremark Corp. and Walgreen Co., the two largest U.S. drug-store chains, are preparing stores for a possible rush on hygiene products and pharmaceuticals as swine flu spreads through North America.

Walgreen purchasing managers met over the weekend with suppliers to ensure the retailer can meet a surge in demand for personal-hygiene products such as hand sanitizers and face masks, said Michael Polzin, a company spokesman.

CVS ordered additional doses of Roche Holding AG's antiviral drug Tamiflu for New York City, said Michael DeAngelis, a spokesman. CVS has a store near the St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, where eight students became ill.

The drug stores are taking preparatory steps as the U.S. confirms a total of 20 cases of swine flu, the virus that has sickened 1,000 people in Mexico and is linked to the deaths of more than 80.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said yesterday that stockpiles of drugs to treat patients will be made available. There is no vaccine for the virus, and officials suspect new illnesses in Brazil, Europe and New Zealand. In Mexico, the government requested that bars, movie theaters and churches be closed in the capital, Mexico City.

CVS, which has 6,900 locations, was able to meet the jump in demand for Tamiflu, DeAngelis said. The retailer has more than 25 stores in the Queens area, according to its Web site. CVS hasn't seen a run on personal-hygiene products yet, he said.

 Tags  CVS Caremark swine flu tamiflu Walgreens

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