Inside This Issue - Opinion

Integrity of drug supply chain must be protected

America has the safest drug supply chain in the world. Historically, that has been more than a proud boast; it has been a fact. Patients getting medicines from their pharmacists and doctors — whether brand name or generic — have been able to count on the fact that the drug in the bottle matches what’s on the label, and is genuine. That is the way our supply system should work, and every American patient should be able to rely on this system to ensure their health and safety. Unfortunately, the scourge of counterfeit medicines is no longer someone else’s problem.

Visitors gain better grasp of Alliance Boots

A small group of American suppliers journeyed to England earlier this month to learn about Alliance Boots, meet with that company’s senior managers, and attempt to gain a clearer understanding of some of the ways the Alliance Boots merger with Walgreens will influence the future of mass retailing in the United States and around the world.

For drug chains, competition intensifies

The competitive challenges that confront the nation’s drug store operators are becoming more intense. Rivalries within the industry and attempts by members of other trade classes to increase their market share in areas that were once viewed as the domain of drug stores have put new pressure on everyone involved.

Drug stores can benefit by meeting needs of active seniors

The U.S. population over age 65 is soaring as the number of births did during the baby boom, and home health care products are not the only growing segment of drug store merchandise for today’s senior citizens.