CMS projects the year-over-year growth in retail prescription drug spending to jump from a negative to flat growth in 2012 and 2013 to more than 5% in 2014 and nearly 7% in 2015, largely due to expanded health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Three years into the ACA, the biopharma industry takes stock of its near-term wins and losses as the law’s critical expanded insurance coverage takes effect beginning in 2014. Pharma still isn’t sure whether the increase in covered lives from the exchanges will boost prescription sales enough to offset the rebates, taxes, and fees it agreed to pay out, or what kind of patients constitute this new market.

The US’ biggest beauty retailer is targeting fiscal 2023 net sales between $11.1bn and $11.15bn, with comparable sales growth of 5% to 5.5%, and is optimistic about 2024 and longer-term strategies. CEO David Kimbell addressed analyst questions on the 2023 holiday season, AI and other points of interest during the firm’s third-quarter earnings call.