It should be a day of celebration for Medco HealthSolutions
However, the market hasn't been exactly jubilant since the settlement: Shares are down slightly. A likely reason is that two new developments are making shareholders uneasy. While investors have cause to be concerned, Medco remains a solid long-term bet.
The first item is a tentative legal settlement under which average wholesale price will be reduced and then done away with. This price list is an anachronism that was once accurate and is now essentially an arbitrary calculation that for years has helped set consumer prices for prescription drugs.
For Medco and rivals Caremark Rx
But a second development has raised doubts about Medco's generic side. Wal-Mart
Admittedly, Wal-Mart never should be taken lightly. However, even the world's retailing juggernaut might find that going head-to-head against Medco is not so wise. Thanks to Medco's automated dispensing facilities, its costs are low, so it's likely it can outcompete Wal-Mart on price. Also, many prescription drug users, particularly older consumers and those who suffer from chronic diseases, are likely to prefer home delivery through Medco's industry-leading mail-order pharmacy to filling prescriptions at Wal-Mart's gigantic superstores.
Medco's latest challenges may indeed buffet the company in the near term. However, its competitive advantages and the ongoing drive to contain prescription drug costs seem likely to keep Medco growing over the long term.
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Fool contributor Brian Gorman does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.