WALGREENS

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Is the merger agreement between Walgreens and Duane Reade another sign of rampant chain drug consolidation and attrition, or just a bold and long-expected move by two of the industry’s premier practitioners?

(THE NEWS: Walgreens to acquire Duane Reade. For the full story, click here)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY ITS IMPORTANT Some investors quoted in published reports foresee huge gains for such retail pharmacy chains as CVS and Walgreens, as blockbuster drugs like Pfizer’s Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Sanofi-Aventis’ and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) come off patent and face generic competition, but they would do well to remember an important factor: the patent cliff.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT This has been a busy month or so for CVS Caremark. Last week it was a party on Beale Street as the chain announced its entry into Memphis, Tenn.; this week it broke out the pina coladas and celebrated its entry into Puerto Rico. Last month, it was Budweiser in St. Louis.

(THE NEWS: CVS/pharmacy joins Twitter. For the full story, click here)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT It has been coined "The Oprah Effect" and it is the notion that if you're lucky enough to get a thumbs up by Oprah on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," her viewers will heed her call and run -- not walk -- to buy your product or services. Walgreens and its Take Care Clinic business are among the latest to be graced with the icon's million-dollar touch.