It's October which means it's National Pharmacists Month. All month long, across the pharmacy industry retail pharmacies big and small and industry groups and news sources have been acknowledging the hard work by the team behind the counter day in and day out. 

All across the country, kids are reconnecting with their friends at school and sharing stories of their fun-filled summer adventures. They’re also sharing another thing...germs. Back to School unfortunately also means Back to Sick for our nation’s children. There's no avoiding it. And as one of your communities most trusted healthcare resources, you’ll be front and center with parents as they deal with those inevitable ear infections, throat infections, colds, and the flu. So get ready. Here's how:

Few industries are in for as much change in the coming years as the retail pharmacy industry. Healthcare reform continues to dominate headlines, consumer expectations are shifting, pharmacist and technician roles are expanding, technology is improving, the industry is consolidating, and new players like Amazon are encroaching on the status quo.

Among the many unique benefits that the proliferation of connected technology has brought us in the new Digital Age, perhaps the most distinct has been the increased awareness of the modern consumer. With the greatest wealth of information in history at our fingertips, and a more competitive global economy, individuals today can afford to be selective in choosing the businesses they will patronize. 

Last month, online retail giant Amazon made waves throughout the business world as it was announced that the company would be cutting a $13.7 billion check to acquire health-conscious grocery chain Whole Foods.

Having already pulled significant market share from brick-and-mortar retailers, Amazon is now in a unique position to begin drawing customers from large supermarket chains as well. But it isn’t just grocery chains taking notice.