INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Shifting the nation’s sprawling and disconnected healthcare system to an integrated platform, based at last on health information technology and electronic health records, is a worthy and overdue undertaking.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The heartbreaking news is that California is battling an unnerving whooping cough epidemic that unfortunately already has claimed the lives of nine babies. But the silver lining -- if there is one -- lies in the fact that this gives rise to another opportunity for retail pharmacy to demonstrate the critical role it plays in public health crisis management.

(THE NEWS: Calif. health officials address 'whooping cough' outbreak. For the full story, click here)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT While the advisory committee vote of 15 opposed and nine in favor of scheduling the all-too-common cough-relieving ingredient dextromethorphan as a controlled substance might seem like a healthy indicator as to which direction the Food and Drug Administration will act on this issue, make no mistake: it is by no means a certainty. This still may be an issue for cough-cold season 2011-2012.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT There have been a spate of announcements in the past month around the growing prominence of fresh-food offerings in nontraditional retail settings (aka the corner drug store) that capitalize on the convenience opportunity a typical pharmacy footprint represents. Walgreens announced a move to bring healthier food choices to more inner-city residents, and CVS/pharmacy recently expanded its Urban Cluster store concept featuring a more prominent consumables department. But Rite Aid’s story is not a me-too story.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT It’s about time.

(THE NEWS: NACDS, NCPA in joint statement praise CMS' move to withdraw provisions of AMP rule currently blocked by injunction. For the full story, click here)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT This week’s decision by the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals could make political efforts to ban generic-branded patent settlements a lot more difficult.

(THE NEWS: Appeals court upholds decision to OK 'pay-for-delay' deals. For the full story, click here)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The announcement by P&G that it is looking to further expand its Future Friendly platform in 2011 to now target a reduction in packaging materials, as well as truck and fuel usage, is important on several different levels. Not only does the next phase of the program further solidify P&G's lead role as a consumer packaged goods company that is making a significant impact to better the environment, but, at the retailer level, P&G is expecting to see a boost in powder detergent sales.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Retailers operating outside of the dollar channel are beginning to experience some night terrors. Because the fear is, what if American consumers learn from this bargain-hunting experience once the economy recovers? What if they decide quality and convenience in a dollar store today is comparable with other channels, and that the only real point of difference is the price point?