11/15/2011 1:41 PM 

Medco CEO David Snow's "Robots vs. Pharmacists" remarks sent the pharmacy blogging community into orbit in October, where it has understandably remained since that time.  Express Scripts' and Medco's attempt to showcase human pharmacists in recent lobbying visits on Capitol Hill, and in advertisements, has only added to the apparent hypocrisy of Snow's remarks. 

As NACDS stated in its initial reaction to the remarks in October, "When it serves their purposes, such as under tough questioning at a September 20 Congressional hearing, these companies speak of their partnership with community pharmacy.  Then, they turn around and devalue and disparage community pharmacy.  One has to wonder about what their true intent means for patients, employers and health plans."

That sense has not been lost on the following bloggers and organizations:

Pharmacist’s Place:  “Robot vs. Pharmacist, Round 3”

Pharmacist’s Place:  “Robot vs. Pharmacist, Round 2”

Pharmacist’s Place:  “Robot vs. Pharmacist, Round 1”

The Redheaded Pharmacist:  “(David) Snow Storm”

Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency:  “Harsh words about pharmacists from Medco CEO”

Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW!:  “Medco CEO Claims Robots Would Make Better Pharmacists: Perhaps a Robot Would Make a Better Medco CEO?”

Pharmacy Blog:  “Medco CEO Champions Robots Over Pharmacists”

National Community Pharmacists Association:  “In Merger Bid, Express Scripts-Medco Present a Deceptive ‘Pharmacist’ Front”