AmerisourceBergen Dims Gray Market for Drugs

Meanwhile, Merrill Lynch analyst Thomas Gallucci simply mentioned the change in the equivalent of a footnote tacked on to a discussion of looming Medicare reforms. He expressed caution about AmerisourceBergen because of its institutional pharmacy business -- which faces major reimbursement changes -- instead of any backlash from leaving the secondary drug market behind.

"ABC has already limited its secondary market activity," explained Gallucci, who has a neutral rating on the stock. "As a result, the financial impact is not material at this point."

Eban sees some hope.

"Now you have two out of three major wholesalers making, if nothing else, a gesture in the right direction," she said. "At face value, the noises being made are the right ones."