Generic Drug Sales Raise Walgreene' Bottom Line

Walgreen Co, the nation's largest drugstore chain, attributed much of its strong 14% increase in quarter profits to climbing sales of generic drugs during the first few months of 2006. In part, the double-digit rise in Walgreen profits came as a result of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, which brought a flood of additional senior citizens into its drugstores. Officials at the chain, however, said increased sales of generics also played a key role.