GlaxoSmithKline Veteran Darren Singer to Lead Safeway Pharmacy and Wellness Ops

Safeway Inc. appointed Darren Singer as its new SVP of pharmacy, health, and wellness, with overall responsibility for retail pharmacy operations, specialty care, pharmacy services, compliance, benefit management, and managed care. He reports directly to Kelly Griffith, Safeway's president of merchandising.

"Darren's wealth of knowledge and proven track record in running some of the most visible and valuable brands in the pharmacy and wellness industry are well-suited to his leadership role at Safeway,” said Griffith.

Singer joins Safeway following a long career with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) where he was most recently VP of strategic growth. His 25-year career with GSK included various leadership responsibilities, including VP of marketing - OTC wellness, and president and GM of the Block Drug Company, which GSK purchased in 2001. He led many of the company’s global marketing initiatives, including projects for well-known brands including Sensodyne, Breathe Right, and Abreva. Prior to joining Block/GSK, Singer spent several years in advertising.

Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway operates 1,694 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $41.1 billion in 2010.