ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pfizer’s generic version of Viagra, sildenafil citrate, at the company’s headquarters in New York.
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TRENTON, N.J. >> Drugmaker Pfizer is launching its own cheaper generic version of Viagra rather than lose most sales when the impotence pill gets its first generic competition next week. Pfizer Inc. will begin selling the pill at half the $65-a-pill retail price on Monday, when its patent-protected monopoly ends. Generic maker Teva Pharmaceuticals can start selling its version then, but isn’t disclosing the price.
Walmart dropping ‘Stores’ from legal name
NEW YORK >> Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is changing its legal name effective Feb. 1 as it shifts away from physical stores in the age of Amazon’s increasing dominance. The world’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., said Wednesday it will change its legal name to Walmart Inc. from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. It said the move underscores its growing emphasis on serving shoppers in different ways beyond just physical stores but also online, on their mobile devices and through pickup and delivery.
UnitedHealth to buy hundreds of clinics
The nation’s biggest health insurer is spending nearly $5 billion to buy hundreds of clinics, just three days after rival Aetna announced a bigger tie-up with CVS Health Corp.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. said Wednesday that it will buy DaVita Medical Group in a deal that extends the reach of its Optum health care services business to several more states.
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ON THE MOVE
>> Hawaiian Eye Center has hired Kyle Oroku to oversee the company’s contact lens program. Oroku completed his primary care residency at the Lexington VA Medical Center, located in Lexington, Ky.
>> Central Pacific Bank has announced that Albert Ebueng is the new manager for the company’s Lihue Branch. Ebueng has 16 years of finance industry experience, including serving as a residential loan officer for Bank of Hawaii.
>> Kokua Hospitality LLC has appointed Shouma Moniz as director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach. Moniz previously served as director of sales and marketing for Sage Hospitality at the Homewood Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport-North.
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