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NACDS Extends Point-of-Care Testing National Tour Train-the-trainer events coming to TX, WI, TN, CA, FL to advance certificate program for community pharmacy-based testing

admin2016-05-27T21:07:49-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Pharmacy_Value|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is extending for the second consecutive summer a national tour that trains pharmacists to train their colleagues in administering point-of-care testing in community pharmacies. This “train-the-trainer” program is designed to expand the knowledge of point-of-care testing exponentially in the pharmacy community.

This program is geared to train trainers who are then qualified to provide services like point-of-care testing, that improve patients’ access to quality and efficient care.

NACDS’ Point-of-Care Testing National Tours have been made possible through generous support from Quidel, a manufacturer of diagnostic healthcare solutions.

In coordination with physicians and other providers, point-of-care testing empowers clinicians to use effective and fast technology to aid decision-making at the point of care to improve patient health through the treatment of flu, strep throat and other acute and chronic conditions.

The following national tour stops were announced today, and additional cities may be added:

· University of North Texas Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy – Fort Worth, TX – June 27-28

· University of Wisconsin Madison School of Pharmacy – Madison, WI – July 11-12

· University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy – Nashville, TN – July 14-15

· University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy – San Francisco, CA – July 21-22

· University of South Florida College of Pharmacy – Tampa, FL – August 16-17

“This program is geared to train trainers who are then qualified to provide services like point-of-care testing, that improve patients’ access to quality and efficient care,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “This program is tribute to what can be accomplished through effective coordination of care. We look forward to building on the highly successful and well-received launch of this national tour, which visited 12 cities in the summer of 2015.”

At each two-day stop on the tour, participants will complete a continuing education (CE) accredited certificate program, and then engage in the primary purpose of the tour – the “train-the-trainer” component that will enable them to teach the program. Those interested in participating should complete the survey to begin the application process. Due to the [ READ MORE ]

The March of Dimes Foundation’s Paul E. Jarris and the NACDS Foundation’s Kathleen Jaeger

admin2016-05-27T09:34:34-04:00Categories: Photo|Tags: NACDS_Foundation|

Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, senior vice president, maternal child health, March of Dimes Foundation, and Kathleen Jaeger, president of the NACDS Foundation, at a Zika-related National Press Club event on May 26, 2016, featuring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden. On the day prior, Dr. Jarris participated in the NACDS Foundation webinar “Zika Prevention Strategies: Patient & Community Health” – which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and which remains available.

Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day

admin2016-05-26T20:35:08-04:00Categories: Photo|Tags: NACDS|

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. NACDS’ offices in Rosslyn, Virginia, are located less than a half-mile from the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial—the iconic representation of the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima—which overlooks the 624-acre Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo: iStock)

New Department of Labor Rule Extends Overtime Pay to Millions

admin2016-05-26T11:31:49-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: Retail|

A final Department of Labor (DoL) regulation released May 18 on overtime will likely have a large-scale effect on employers and industries, including retailers and community pharmacies. The final rule, which will take effect on December 1, 2016, doubles the salary threshold—from $23,660 to $47,476 per year—under which most salaried workers are guaranteed overtime.

The final rule, which will take effect on December 1, 2016, doubles the salary threshold—from $23,660 to $47,476 per year—under which most salaried workers are guaranteed overtime.

Employers will have more than six months to prepare and will have an automatic update based on wage growth every three years after that. The final rule will raise the salary level for the first time since 2004, and automatically extend overtime pay protections to over four million workers within the first year of implementation.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) expressed concerns to the DoL that the new rules could adversely affect community pharmacies. The concern stems from the fact that practicing physicians—including medical residents—are not entitled to a minimum salary or overtime because they qualify for an exemption for the practice of medicine. According to APhA, pharmacy residents should qualify for the same exemption as medical residents because pharmacists cannot accept a residency until they have completed their PharmD.

In comments to DoL, APhA wrote, “…without enough time to plan for salary increases, community pharmacies as well as small businesses may face budget constraints and some may be forced to discontinue these programs that assist in training pharmacists as clinical care providers.” In addition, pharmacy technicians may be affected by the DoL final rule, depending on their job duties.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates the new threshold will affect about 2.2 million retail and restaurant workers, or 64 percent of salaried employees in the industry. NRF has conducted research that shows expanded overtime could drive up retailers’ payroll costs while limiting workers’ opportunities to move up into management. The group also estimates that thousands of workers could be reclassified as hourly employees instead of salaried workers, and could have their hours cut to 38 hours so employers could [ READ MORE ]

Join NACDS in Becoming a #PharmacyVoter

admin2016-05-26T11:28:58-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: RxIMPACT|

As the nation prepares to elect the policymakers who will shape pharmacy’s future on November 8, 2016, the NACDS RxIMPACT Votes program is equipped to help the pharmacy community energize participation in the election process.

NACDS also has a variety of other resources to promote engagement in this important civic duty and advancing the initiatives of the pharmacy community.

Studies show that employees trust and want information from their employers on voting and elections and the resources NACDS has made available to you will help you effectively prepare your employees to get out the vote on Election Day.

NACDS launched the 2016 NACDS RxIMPACT Votes program earlier this year with the unveiling of the #PharmacyVoter campaign. The website, PharmacyVoter.org features resources that members of the pharmacy community can use to engage in the democratic process.

In addition to the widely-viewed 30-second #PharmacyVoter get-out-the-vote video ads—“Effective” and “Momentum”—NACDS also has a variety of other resources to promote engagement in this important civic duty and advancing the initiatives of the pharmacy community. NACDS encourages pharmacy’s engagement in the 2016 elections by providing pharmacy personnel with resources on how to volunteer for campaigns and vote for the candidates of their choice from voter registration information, to ideas for planning get out the vote events, to insights about how you can volunteer for campaigns.

NACDS has recently added another great resource to its Election 2016 bucket—a fully customizable flyer that can be co-branded with your company name and other information so that you can supply your employees with the information they’re looking for as November 8 nears.

Check out all of the resources NACDS RxIMPACT has designed to save you time and get out the important message about the significance of the pharmacy community voice!

Remember to use #PharmacyVoter on social media to advance awareness about the effort!

Make your mark.

NACDS Continues Advocacy on Addiction, Recovery Bill

admin2016-05-26T11:23:30-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: Drug_Abuse|

NACDS continues to advocate in anticipation of the House and Senate conference on S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The legislation would adjust existing authorizations and programs to provide a series of resources and incentives to help healthcare providers, law enforcement officials and state and local governments to expand drug treatment, prevention and recovery efforts.

The House version does not contain the provision in the Senate legislation that requires pharmacists to check their prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) before filling every prescription for a controlled substance to be eligible for federal grant funding. NACDS RxIMPACT launched a grasstops campaign this week encouraging NACDS member companies with store operations represented by 46 House and 20 Senate leaders to build support for the House position in the conference.

Highly Successful NACDS RxIMPACT Pharmacy Tour Showcases Pharmacy Value, Scope

admin2016-05-25T11:15:08-04:00Categories: Photo|Tags: RxIMPACT|

Albertsons Companies hosted a highly successful NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tour on May 24 in Renton, Wash.

Building on the successes of NACDS RxIMPACT in-district activities, Albertsons Companies hosted Debra Entenman, deputy district director for House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith, on May 24 for a pharmacy tour in Renton, Wash. The pharmacy team said, “We could not have asked for a better visit. It flowed smoothly through each of the talking points with great conversation, and there was a direct focus on the scope of practice and capabilities of a community pharmacist.” The pharmacy team was able to provide a high-level overview of the services they offer to the congressman’s constituents.

NACDS Foundation Assisting National Hepatitis Testing Push Study in progress amid observance of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month, and of May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day

admin2016-05-18T11:10:54-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: NACDS_Foundation|

Arlington, Va. – As public health authorities target Hepatitis C awareness as a way to prevent liver damage and liver cancer, a study funded by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation is evaluating a model which may provide patients with increased access to the requisite Hepatitis C testing and link patients to a specialized physician or health department as needed for further care.

This study is ideal for the NACDS Foundation, as it focuses on an identified public health need to improve access to testing and care, and on a topic that requires partnership and collaboration.

Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are providing technical assistance for the NACDS Foundation’s study, and other key public health agencies also are partnering on the study. This initiative reflects the priority that the CDC is placing on improving access and awareness regarding Hepatitis C testing, as symbolized by the recognition of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month, and of May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day.

The NACDS Foundation study currently is underway in 50 stores with pharmacies, and a total of 75 locations are planned in the greater Detroit, MI; West Virginia/Ohio; and Atlanta, GA metropolitan areas. The study is designed to evaluate the impact of expanding access to community testing for Hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“This study is ideal for the NACDS Foundation, as it focuses on an identified public health need to improve access to testing and care, and on a topic that requires partnership and collaboration,” said NACDS President Kathleen Jaeger. “This evidence-based research on Hepatitis C and HIV builds on the NACDS Foundation’s prior and ongoing study of point-of-care testing for flu and strep throat.”

While anyone can become infected with Hepatitis C, people born between 1945 and 1965 are five times more likely to do so. With that in mind, in 2013 the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of national experts, recommended a one-time screening for adults in that age group, in addition to screening for others at high risk for infection.

Over time, Hepatitis C can cause liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death. It is the leading [ READ MORE ]

“Momentum” – #PharmacyVoter Ad

admin2016-05-18T10:34:19-04:00Categories: Video|Tags: Pharmacy_Value, Provider_Status, Public_Relations, RxIMPACT|

“Momentum” is the second #PharmacyVoter ad released by NACDS for the 2016 campaign season.

As part of the NACDS RxIMPACT Votes get-out-the-vote campaign, NACDS is using videos to encourage pharmacy personnel to volunteer and vote for candidates of their choice, and to encourage others to do so as well. For more information, visit PharmacyVoter.org

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NACDS’ Second #PharmacyVoter Video Ad Urges Political Engagement to Build on Policy Progress Initial ad in get-out-the-vote campaign exceeds 10,000 YouTube views

admin2016-05-17T10:28:12-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: RxIMPACT|

Washington, D.C. – “Momentum” seems a fitting name for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ (NACDS) second get-out-the-vote video ad. The spot urges pharmacy personnel to sustain legislative success at the federal and state levels by making their engagement known in the 2016 elections, and its debut comes in the same week that the first video ad – “Effective” – surpassed 10,000 views on YouTube in two months’ time.

This second video continues to make the case that engagement in the political arena is essential for telling the story of pharmacy patient care, and for advancing a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy policy agenda.

The video ads encourage pharmacists and other pharmacy team members to vote and volunteer for the candidates of their choice. They are part of the larger NACDS RxIMPACT Votes get-out-the-vote effort, one aspect of NACDS’ suite of grassroots advocacy resources under the NACDS RxIMPACT name.

The ads bear the “hashtag” #PharmacyVoter – which is being used in social media to foster a community-wide focus on voter engagement. The website PharmacyVoter.org also showcases the effort and provides information about how to engage politically.

“The first video emerged as a rallying cry to help take pharmacy’s grassroots and political activism to the next level. It has been great to see NACDS members, state association partners, colleges and schools of pharmacy and other allies using it to engage more pharmacy activists,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.

“This second video continues to make the case that engagement in the political arena is essential for telling the story of pharmacy patient care, and for advancing a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy policy agenda.”

The first 30-second ad – called “Effective” – debuted in March during NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, when nearly 400 pharmacy advocates met with approximately 90 percent of the U.S. Congress to discuss key patient care issues. To make its point, “Effective” compared votes that are not cast to another wasted opportunity: doses of medication that are not taken as prescribed and thus unable to help the patient.

The ad unveiled today – “Momentum” – [ READ MORE ]

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