A Day in the Life of a Pharmacist – Where Doing Extraordinary Things Is Routine

By John Norton

Pharmacists are under-appreciated, judging by the design of many public and private sector prescription drug plans. These guidelines determine pharmacies’ compensation for their services and govern how they interact with patients, doctors and the plan administrators—pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). As the representative for approximately 23,000 independent community pharmacies, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) works to raise awareness that pharmacists are much more than simply dispensers of prescription drugs.

Community Pharmacists Lauded for H1N1 Vaccination Work In New Reports

While laying out her vision for the Association, NCPA Executive Vice President and CEO Kathleen Jaeger stated that our “shared goal must be to ensure that independent community pharmacists continue to be indispensible to patients and America’s health care system.”  New reports illustrate how the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic proved to be an excellent example of that goal in action.

H1N1 Vaccine Supply May be Easing for Independent Pharmacies

By Lisa Fowler, Pharm.D.

While some large, national pharmacy chains are aggressively offering H1N1 vaccinations, as reported by The Wall Street Journal recently, some independent pharmacies have had a tougher time doing so.

Pharmacists Score Big in Gallup Poll – Again

By Kevin Schweers

 For more than 30 years Gallup has conducted an annual survey gauging Americans’ level of trust, or distrust, of various professions.  This week the 2009 results were announced and, if you’re a pharmacist, take a bow. 

Niche Services Give Many Community Pharmacies the Edge

By Kevin Schweers

“Be willing to venture outside of your comfort zone,” ABC’s Robin Roberts advised during her recent speech to NCPA convention-goers. “Expand your business. Offer new services.”