Pharmacy Technology

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The Senate medication therapy management bill, introduced on June 29 by Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., has been backed by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association -- and for good reason. For health reform to have any real teeth, MTM needs to be a meaningful part of it -- and if MTM is going to have any real teeth, retail pharmacy needs to be a part of it.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT When Simon joined Walmart a little more than four years ago, he didn’t bring with him a lot of baggage about the way things were done in the retail industry or at Walmart. In fact, he virtually had no retail experience, which could explain why the company came up with the $4 generic idea. Now, as head of the company’s $258 billion U.S. division, you have to wonder if disruptive actions of a similar nature are in store. Clearly, Walmart didn’t make this change because it is overjoyed with the performance of its U.S.