Charles Meng, CEO of the Arlington Food Assistance Center – with NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson
Together, we told pharmacy’s story this week in an important place, at an important time, and in compelling fashion.
As anticipated, NACDS 2023 aligned well with the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
- NACDS 2023 is the Association’s commitment to sustain a pro-pharmacy, pro-patient focus while also advancing broad health and wellness solutions throughout the store, through multidisciplinary care, and through community partnerships.
- The vision of this week’s White House Conference is to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, and reduce diet-related diseases and disparities.
NACDS engaged directly in the actual White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Member company representatives participated in-person, and I had the opportunity to do so as well.
NACDS also extended the physical and virtual reach of the White House Conference and of NACDS’ presence. We did so by hosting an in-person “satellite event” that was ideally positioned in the block between the White House and the Conference’s actual location at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. We also conveyed – and continue to convey – vital messages through digital content and media interviews.
NACDS engaged with patient groups, agency officials, members of Congress, the media, and others to tell this industry’s story, and also to create new opportunities to advance health and wellness.
Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer of the American Cancer Society, summed up the day as effectively as anyone. Dr. Kamal spoke and discussed important issues with NACDS members at the NACDS satellite event. In a video that he recorded to help communicate the important messages of the White House Conference and of NACDS’ satellite event, Dr. Kamal said:
“Well, pharmacies – like the American Cancer Society – are community-based organizations. Just like us – we’re in all the communities out there and so are you. And we think there is great collaboration here at this place to get together, learn from each other, engage, and really use the resources to improve nutrition, exercise, understanding of disease, and eventually overall cancer outcomes.”
Building relationships is vital for all of the priority issues that NACDS advances for the benefit of patients and to sustain the pharmacies that serve them.
Whether you attended this week’s events in-person or whether you are amplifying our story on social media – including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook – thank you!
NACDS is the collaborative and collective will of the membership. The collaborative and collective will of the membership to improve the health and wellness of all Americans was on full display once again this week. Your engagement means everything.
Steven C. Anderson, FASAE, CAE, IOM
President & Chief Executive Officer
Takeaways from White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
- NACDS positioned its engagement this way: “NACDS Brings ‘Face of Neighborhood Healthcare’ to White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.” The key message: “Pharmacies’ accessibility, trust, and community connections that served well during the pandemic can help address broader health, wellness, and equity ambitions.” See press release…
- In addition to NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, NACDS member company representatives known to engage in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health include NACDS Past Chairman Randy Edeker of Hy-Vee, Inc.; Rodney McMullen of The Kroger Co.; Irina Pelphrey of Albertsons Companies (a member of the NACDS 2023 Advisory Group); and Charley John of Walgreen Co.
- NACDS chain member companies participating in the NACDS “Satellite Event” include: Albertsons Companies, Inc; CARE Pharmacies Cooperative, Inc.; Good Neighbor Pharmacies; Health Mart; Hy-Vee, Inc.; Kinney Drugs, Inc.; The Kroger Co.; Medicine Shoppe International, Inc.; Rite Aid Corporation; Walgreen Co.; and Walmart.
- NACDS packaged together its recommendations for, and commitments to, the White House Conference. See PDF…
- Commitments of NACDS members including Albertsons, Hy-Vee, Kroger, Meijer, Publix, and Walgreens, and of NACDS specifically, were highlighted at the White House Conference. See fact sheet…
- The White House “National Strategy” reflects aspects of NACDS policy recommendations – including those regarding the “SNAP” and “WIC” programs, scope of practice expansion for qualified health professionals, improved access to medical nutrition therapy, and the need to incentivize payers to cover more services. See National Strategy…
- NACDS policy recommendations flowed from listening sessions held with NACDS chain and associate members this summer. See press release…
- Reflecting the work of members and its own seven-year relationship with the Arlington Food Assistance Center, NACDS staff this week bagged 5,000 pounds of produce to help those in need. See video…
- NACDS emphasized that its engagement on social determinants of health and on health equity is not new. An example: NACDS’ engagement in the World Health Care Congress. See press release…
