NCPA Ads Inform Congress on Community Pharmacists, Priorities

By Kevin Schweers

The more than 250 independent community pharmacists coming to Washington, DC this week for NCPA’s Legislative Conference will visit with hundreds of Members of Congress, but not all 535 Senators and Representatives. To reinforce with these lawmakers and others the value of community pharmacists and pharmacists’ federal policy priorities for 2013, NCPA is running advertisements in key publications.

Community Pharmacy Advocacy Weeks Underway: Demand Support for Pro-Patient, Pro-Small Business Initiatives

By Michael Rule, Manager of Public Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy

April 29 marked the beginning of NCPA’s Community Pharmacy Advocacy Weeks. From April 29-May 10, it is imperative that independent pharmacists from across the country make their voices heard. Many pharmacists will travel to Washington, DC for the NCPA Legislative Conference May 7-8 and use the opportunity to meet directly with legislators and staff. Unfortunately, that is not feasible for everyone.

For 2013 Priorities, Pharmacist Engagement Essential for Success

By Michael Rule, Manager of Public Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy

In the days following President Obama’s second inaugural, NCPA ran ads calling on Congress and the White House to pass legislation important to independent community pharmacy. Specifically, NCPA asked Congress to pass legislation to enact common sense PBM reforms, protect patient pharmacy choice and patient access to traditional compounding pharmacies and to allow community pharmacies to provide certain healthcare services.

New NCPA Ad Urges Pro-Pharmacy, Pro-Patient Policies

As the Obama Administration and the new, 113th Congress embark on their 2013 agendas, NCPA is weighing in on behalf of the independent community pharmacies it represents and the patients they serve. Namely, this week NCPA sponsored an advertisement urging support for pro-patient, pro-pharmacist policies.

Get Active During Recess (Congress’ August Recess That Is)

By Michael Rule, Manager of Public Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy

As noted in a recent Executive Update (link available to NCPA members only) Congress has left Washington D.C. for its annual August Recess. During this period most Members of Congress will spend a significant portion of their time in district meeting with constituents. This presents a tremendous opportunity for pharmacists to meet with their legislators and educate them on the importance of small business independent community pharmacy to patients and the overall community. In fact, more than 25 members of Congress have already scheduled pharmacy visits for during this recess.

Pharmacist Grassroots Engagement Reaping Results for Pharmacies, Patients

By Michael Rule, Manager of Public Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy

Over the past few months, community pharmacy grassroots efforts have led to some modest, but important, legislative and regulatory victories in Washington for community pharmacists and the patients they serve. Continued grassroots engagement by pharmacists will drive future successes.

Top Lawmakers, TRICARE, State Experts Address Pharmacists at NCPA Legislative Conference

Over 250 independent community pharmacists discussed top health care and pharmacy issues with leading lawmakers and federal and state policymakers, during the second day of NCPA’s Legislative Conference Tuesday, May 8th.

At NCPA’s Legislative Conference, Pharmacists to Stand Up for Their Patients, Their Practices

In two weeks hundreds of independent community pharmacists will convene in Washington for NCPA’s Legislative Conference meeting.

Prescription Drug Shortages are Affecting Community Pharmacists and their Patients, Too

By John Coster, RPh, PhD

President Obama’s event this week highlighted and escalated what have been bipartisan efforts to combat the proliferation of prescription drug shortages. Such efforts are welcome because, while to date these shortages primarily affect hospital pharmacies, they have also negatively impacted community pharmacists and their patients.

Looking to Pharmacy’s Future in Accountable Care Organizations

By Kevin Schweers

The final rule that will guide the establishment of the much-anticipated Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) was recently released and it includes several pro-patient, pro-pharmacy changes sought by NCPA to help ensure pharmacists are properly utilized.