2/21/2012 2:30 PM 

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Tuesday published an article titled "Express Scripts-Medco merger under fire," and Express Scripts just may feel that headline describes the coverage it has been receiving from its hometown media on its proposed merger with Medco.

The article described - accurately and in-detail - that "in recent months, major forces have aligned themselves against the deal, raising antitrust concerns."

"Approval by the Federal Trade Commission, expected to decide soon, now appears less certain.  And even a green light could involve significant concessions by the merged company," the paper wrote.

"Stepping forward to oppose the merger are large supermarket chains, drug stores, community pharmacists, consumer advocates, antitrust experts, columnists, and well-placed politicians. Attorneys general from two dozen states have also raised questions about the merger's effect on consumers.  The companies themselves and their shareholders now seem to be among the few backers of the deal."

In the same newspaper earlier this month, columnist Kevin Horrigan made a compelling and creatively penned case against the merger of pharmaceutical insurance middlemen.

It has been said that a good neighbor is a fellow who smiles at your over the back fence, but doesn't climb over it.  Thankfully, the St. Louis press understands that journalism requires a higher standard.