Each year, five to 20 percent of the U.S. population will become infected with the flu. That’s between 16 million and 65 million people. The impact of influenza is much larger than most realize. Prevention is crucial – largely from vaccinations – and can be supported by employers, health clinics, physicians and community pharmacies.

Earlier this Fall, the people of the United States saw three record-setting hurricanes leave widespread destruction across Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Harvey, Irma, and Maria struck with deadly force, leaving millions displaced and billions of dollars of damage.

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. 

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.

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.