National Community Pharmacists Association
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, announced that his panel will hold a hearing on Nov. 20 to “explore why the costs of certain generic drugs are skyrocketing.” NCPA appreciates the subcommittee’s work and will continue to support their efforts to address this issue.
Continue reading ‘Senate Hearing Scheduled on Generic Drug Price Spikes’
Five community pharmacists touted their inventions before a panel of industry veterans and received expert advice on how to grow sales of their products at the first-ever “Idea Incubator: Hatch Dreams into Dollars,” held Oct. 18 at the National Community Pharmacists Association’s 116th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition.
Continue reading ‘NCPA Session Highlights Inventive Side of Community Pharmacists’
Independent community pharmacies play a key health role in underserved, inner-city communities and that fact is reaffirmed by some of the results of a study in the November Health Affairs, which also urged policymakers to consider incentives to foster more pharmacies in neglected areas.
Continue reading ‘Study Highlights Independent Pharmacies’ Role in Caring for Underserved Patients’
Among the many changes resulting from the Nov. 4, 2014 elections are several encouraging developments for independent community pharmacists and their patients.
First and most notably, Rep.-elect Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) won a convincing 61%-39% victory in Georgia’s First Congressional District. Upon his swearing in, he will become the only pharmacist in the U.S. Congress, where he should be a valuable resource for his colleagues.
Continue reading ‘2014 Election: Some Positive Steps for Pharmacists, Patients’
By Michael Rule
Last January, NCPA urged Congress to investigate soaring generic drug prices after a member survey found that acquisition costs for some drugs had increased by more than 1,000%, but that reimbursement to pharmacies did not keep up. This call was recently answered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) who launched an inquiry.
Continue reading ‘Members of Congress Scrutinize Sky-rocketing Costs of Generic Drugs’
By Michael Rule
For years, NCPA has been at the forefront in calling for greater transparency in the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), from highlighting difficulties plan sponsors often have in auditing their PBM to noting PBM practices that may increase costs to plans while increasing profits for the PBMs. While the PBMs claim there is already adequate transparency, their policies are drawing increased scrutiny.
