This week, NACDS and pharmacists from H-E-B and The Kroger Co. met with Rep. John Frullo (R) to thank him for his leadership on HB 1296, the medication synchronization bill that passed the House in Texas and is pending in the Senate.
NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson participated in a listening session at the invitation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.
NACDS is thanking the 67 members of the House of Representatives who sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis calling for implementation of the TRICARE Acquisition Cost Parity Pilot Program for Retail Pharmacy.
A joint op-ed by NACDS and the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) was published in The Hill on the inherent risks of importing drugs from foreign markets.
Jolie Smith, director of corporate and community partnerships, Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), describes the importance of community-based engagement to assist the 2,200 families who rely on AFAC each week.
Watch highlights from the highly successful and engaging 2017 NACDS Annual Meeting. Catch up on complete highlights from the Conference on the NACDS-TV 2017 Annual Meeting playlist.
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance & president, Walgreen Co., today delivered his inaugural remarks as the chairman of the Board of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). He described his enthusiasm for helping to build on NACDS’ legacy of leadership on issues of importance to customers.
“The theme for today, and moving forward is the customer – understanding the customer’s needs and meeting them,” Gourlay said. “The whole association of NACDS is going to be based on that theme moving forward, in meeting the healthcare challenges that [former NACDS Chairman] Martin Otto described, and in advancing the Future Value Targeting initiative that [NACDS President and CEO] Steve Anderson described earlier during this meeting.
“Through the Future Value Targeting initiative, we are looking to lead the industry in a proactive and positive way, at a time when we have so much to offer,” Gourlay said.
“We have to tell our story. It is an important way to build trust…And, of course, we have to do more. With our collective power and wisdom we can do more. We need to tell our story and improve our story.”
Gourlay described shifting dynamics in the political environment, in retail and in healthcare. Specifically, he noted changing trends in fulfillment, demographics, shopper behavior, wellness and personalization.
To address these dynamics, Gourlay emphasized the importance of building trust and improving efficiency to better meet the needs of customers. “Building trust is absolutely essential in this marketplace,” he said. “Also, we have to improve efficiency in this marketplace.”
To pursue those goals, he described the importance of putting customers first in three areas. He discussed healthcare affordability and price transparency. He noted opportunities to foster convenience by maximizing efficiency and experience through retailers’ partnerships with suppliers and wholesalers, technological solutions such as e-prescribing, and new pharmacy services. Gourlay concluded by recognizing corporate social responsibility efforts already underway by NACDS chain and associate members alike, which can form the basis for further efforts to commit to the communities the industry serves.
Regarding corporate social responsibility, Gourlay said: “We have to tell our story. It is an important way [ READ MORE ]
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Acknowledging the vital role pharmacy education plays in improving patient care, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation announced $230,000 in scholarships and grants through its 2017 NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program. The recipients were presented with their awards tonight at an NACDS Foundation event during the NACDS Annual Meeting.
This year’s awardees were selected from more than 40 general and diversity scholarship applications submitted from deans of accredited colleges and schools of pharmacy across the country. Six grants were awarded to applicants for innovative education programs in the amount of $20,000 each, including two in the name of industry leaders: The Wayne Roberts Memorial Scholarship, provided by Apotex Corporation, and the Robert J. Bolger Scholarship, provided by Teva. Additionally, two one-time grants in the amount of $15,000 each were awarded for excellence in diversity programs.
The awardees of the 2017 NACDS Foundation Scholarships for excellence in education are:
Awardees of the 2017 NACDS Foundation Scholarships for excellence in diversity programs:
Scottsdale, Ariz. – During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Annual Meeting, NACDS elected new officers, one new Executive Committee member and two new Board of Directors members for the coming year.
Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance & president, Walgreen Co., will serve as the new chairman of the NACDS Board of Directors. Gourlay succeeds Martin Otto, chief merchant & chief financial officer of H-E-B, who completed his term.
In addition, Mark Panzer, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness of Albertsons Companies, was elected NACDS vice chairman, and Helena Foulkes, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Pharmacy, was elected NACDS treasurer. Each officer will serve a one-year term. In addition, Foulkes was elected to the NACDS Executive Committee.
“We are delighted to welcome Alex as chairman of the NACDS Board of Directors,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Alex has been highly effective as an NACDS officer, including his dedicated involvement in the NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots advocacy program and his engagement on behalf of his company and on behalf of the industry at NACDS meetings and conferences throughout the year. He is highly engaged in the important work of advancing issues of importance to NACDS chain and associate members alike, and we value his leadership.”
Two new Board of Directors members were also elected to serve three-year terms: Brian Nightengale, president of Good Neighbor Pharmacy, and Michael K. Bloom, chief executive officer of Fred’s Pharmacy.
The NACDS Board of Directors develops NACDS’ policies and priorities.
Watch all the highlights from Sunday’s Business Program featuring NACDS Chairman Martin Otto, chief merchant and chief financial officer of H-E-B, NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE and Retired Four-Star Marine General John Allen. Catch up on more highlights from the Conference on the NACDS-TV 2017 Annual Meeting playlist.
