The NPA accuses Asda of "retail anarchy", contractors say they are dissatisfied with remuneration and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society calls on pharmacists to "seize and shape the future". How little in pharmacy seems to have changed. These were the lead news stories in the very first edition of Pharmacy Magazine back in late 1995. Reading them in light of recent events, they have a very familiar ring, don't they?

Yet, of course, in reality much has changed in pharmacy, health and therapeutics over the past 21 years and we reflect on some of the most significant developments in our special 21st anniversary issue (March edition).

Much has changed in pharmacy publishing, too, over the past two decades. In 1995 continuing education, never mind continuing professional development, was still a novel concept. So for a title to launch with the aim of providing pharmacists with structured CPD to support their developing clinical role was a bold, innovative move. And it remains today our core purpose, our raison etre, in print and across our numerous digital platforms. Had the internet even been invented in 1995?!

As for where community pharmacy stands in 2016, I'll refer you back to another news story, this time from 2005. As Barry Andrews, formerly of Moss and PSNC, put it in his own inimitable way, surely it is better to be juggling lots of balls in the air than have the Government squeeze yours by the hand. That, as I'm sure our readers will tell us, is a matter for debate...