FTC Staff Comments on FDAs Plans to Collect Information on Direct-To-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertising

The Commission has received an application from America Online/Time Warner, Inc. (AOLTW) requesting approval of a non-affiliated Internet Service Provider (ISP) and alternative cable broadband service agreement. Pursuant to Paragraph II.A.2 of the decision and order finalized by the Commission on April 17, 2001 concerning AOL's acquisition of Time Warner, Inc., AOLTW has requested FTC approval of: 1) South Texas Internet Connections, Inc. (STIC.NET); and 2) the alternative cable broadband ISP service agreement entered into between Time Warner Cable (TWC) and STIC.NET to provide cable broadband ISP service in TWC's San Antonio, Houston, and Austin, Texas divisions.

The FTC is accepting public comments on the proposed application until November 26, 2001. Comments should be sent to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. A public version of the application can be found on the Commission's Web site at www.ftc.gov. (FTC File No. 001-0105; Docket No. C-3989; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526; see press releases dated November 9, 2000; December 14, 2000; February 26, 2001; April 18, 2001; September 28, 2001; October 4, 2001; and October 19, 2001.)

Application for proposed transaction:

The Commission has received an application for approval of a proposed transaction from the following: Unified Western Grocers, Inc. (Unified). The application concerns the December 2000 FTC consent order regarding the merger of Albertson's, Inc. and American Stores Company, which required the divestiture of 144 supermarkets nationwide. Pursuant to Paragraph VI.B. of the order, Unified, formerly Certified Grocers of California, Ltd., has applied for FTC approval to transfer SavMax Store No. 309, currently operating under the "SavMax" trade name and located at 1375 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, California, to Super Center Concepts, Inc., d/b/a Superior Super Warehouse Stores.

The Commission is seeking public comment on the proposed transaction until November 27, 2001. Comments should be submitted to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Unified has requested, however, that the comment period either be shortened or eliminated. Accordingly, if the Commission approves this request, the date until which public comments are accepted may change. (FTC Docket No. C- 3986; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, 202-326-2526; see press releases dated June 22, 1999; July 28, 1999; August 2, 1999; September 19, 2000; December 8, 2000; July 27, 2001; and September 18, 2001.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.