Press Release

House Members Urge Enactment of TRICARE Pilot Urge pilot’s power to “lower overall administrative fees, preserve beneficiary choice and allow access to valuable in-person consultations”

admin2016-07-19T12:01:55-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: TRICARE|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is thanking 37 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have sent a letter to House and Senate negotiators, urging them to advance an important TRICARE pilot program as part of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

NACDS appreciates the work of Congressman Dave Loebsack, Congressman Buddy Carter and Congressman Peter Welch to advance this important pilot program.

U.S. Reps. Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) led the effort on this letter, which was sent to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees – those who are heading the effort to work out differences between the two chambers’ versions of the NDAA.

Contained in the House’s version of the bill, the “Pilot Program for Prescription Drug Acquisition Cost Parity in the TRICARE Pharmacy Benefits Program” would provide military families and veterans with the choice of how they get their medications and also would lower program costs.

“NACDS appreciates the work of Congressman Dave Loebsack, Congressman Buddy Carter and Congressman Peter Welch to advance this important pilot program,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “This pilot has the potential to preserve the choice of military families and veterans, to reduce Defense Department costs, and to boost patient health by maintaining access to the pharmacist-patient relationship.”

The pilot program in effect would allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to access lower pricing for prescriptions dispensed at community pharmacies.

“TRICARE beneficiaries have seen a number of changes to their prescription drug plan over the last few years, including brand name maintenance medications being dispensed via mail order or at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and increased prescription copayments. These changes have not only impacted beneficiary access and health, but have also resulted in shifting health care costs to the Medicare program,” the House members wrote.

“The pilot program … is a sensible approach to maintaining beneficiary choice and access while at the same time lowering [DoD] costs. Currently, the DoD is able to purchase medications that are dispensed through mail order and [MTFs] at a much lower costs than for drugs dispensed [ READ MORE ]

NACDS, University of Pittsburgh Announce National Tour for Test2Learn Community-Based Pharmacogenomics Certificate Program

admin2016-07-07T11:32:25-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Medications, Pharmacy_Value|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, today announced plans for a national tour this fall to advance the Test2LearnTM Community-Based Pharmacogenomics Certificate Program.

Pharmacogenomics is considered a new frontier in patient care, with great promise for patient outcomes and public health.

NACDS and the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy adapted Test2LearnTM from an innovative University platform that enables students to learn by using real genetic data in highly-interactive exercises. The certificate program will include online home study and in-person live components, including an optional activity for learners to undergo personal genomic testing. At each stop on the national tour, pharmacist participants will engage in the in-person aspect of the program, as well as receive the instruction necessary to administer the training to others.

“NACDS is excited to announce the availability of University of Pittsburgh content through the NACDS educational platform, Learner Community, for the benefit of practicing pharmacists, students, and schools and colleges of pharmacy,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Pharmacogenomics is considered a new frontier in patient care, with great promise for patient outcomes and public health, and the ‘train-the-trainer’ focus of the fall 2016 national tour will expand the knowledge of it exponentially.”

Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD, BCPS, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, noted, “Participants who have learned using this model tell us it makes a meaningful impact in their education. Our published outcome data shows students are highly-engaged and achieved better learning outcomes. We are excited about offering this innovative certificate.”

Pharmacogenomics is a subset of the overarching concept of personalized medicine, which refers to ensuring that each patient receives the right medication and the right dose. Pharmacogenomics seeks to achieve that by predicting a response to a drug based on the individual’s genetic makeup.

Test2LearnTM teaches the principles of pharmacogenomics as well as its practical implications in disease states such as cardiology, oncology, neurology and infectious diseases, among others. It trains pharmacists to decipher genetic tests, translate that information, and make appropriate recommendations for [ READ MORE ]

NACDS, NCPA Maintain Push for Pharmacy Choice in TRICARE Increased copays could result in an increase of more than $1 billion in federal spending for medical services, including Medicare

admin2016-07-01T11:10:05-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: TRICARE|

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) remain vigilant in communicating with Congress on not increasing TRICARE pharmacy copayments. In a letter this week to the chairmen and ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, NACDS and NCPA reiterated concerns about the impact copay increases could have on TRICARE beneficiaries.

As House and Senate negotiators work to resolve differences in their chambers’ versions of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), NACDS and NCPA said in their letter that when the Congressional Budget Office reviewed the Senate version of the FY2016 NDAA, it found that “copay increases would result in an increase of over $1 billion in federal spending for medical services, particularly in Medicare.” In addition, the letter stated that the proposed copay increases in the Senate version of the FY2017 NDAA “would double, and in some cases nearly triple, the amount of money a TRICARE beneficiary would be required to pay out-of-pocket to get their prescriptions filled.”

NACDS and NCPA urged the conferees to protect TRICARE beneficiary access to prescription medications by adopting the House position, which does not include an increase in pharmacy copayments.

NACDS and NCPA noted in the letter that TRICARE patients are already worried about gaining access to the services they need, and cited a report from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission that emphasized how important it is for TRICARE beneficiaries to have choice and access to care, and recommended policies that would engender access to those essential parts of the military healthcare system.

In the letter, NACDS and NCPA pointed out that copay increases put greater burdens on TRICARE patients and “unfairly penalize TRICARE beneficiaries who prefer to use local pharmacies.” The increases also carry unintended consequences, which occur when patients do not adhere to their medication regimen. A lack of medication adherence can have negative effects on healthcare outcomes and cause an increase in more expensive medical options, such as emergency room visits and trips to the doctor’s office.

NACDS and NCPA underscored the critical need to ensure patients have uninterrupted choice and [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Foundation Supports Increased HIV Testing Awareness Study ongoing amid observance of National HIV Testing Day on June 27

admin2016-06-27T10:41:40-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Community, NACDS_Foundation|

Arlington, Va. – As public health authorities seek to raise awareness about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing, 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 HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and link patients to a specialized physician or health department as needed for further care.

Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are providing technical assistance for the 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 raising awareness about improving access and awareness regarding HIV testing, as evidenced by the agency’s annual awareness campaign, National HIV Testing Day on June 27.

The NACDS Foundation study, led by principal investigators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, currently is underway in 50 stores with pharmacies, and a total of 75 locations are planned in the greater Detroit, Mich.; West Virginia/Ohio; and Atlanta, Ga., metropolitan areas. The study is designed to evaluate the impact of expanding access to community testing for both HIV and the Hepatitis C virus.

“This study exemplifies key goals of the NACDS Foundation because it combines an identified public health need to improve access to testing and care with awareness and prevention priorities that require collaboration and public engagement,” said NACDS Foundation President Kathleen Jaeger. “Evidence-based research on HIV and Hepatitis C expands upon the NACDS Foundation’s ongoing study of point-of-care testing for flu and strep throat.”

Nearly 45,000 people are diagnosed with HIV every year and approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. are currently living with HIV. However, one in eight people don’t know they have it. The need for testing and increased awareness is critical, as more than 90 percent of HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by testing and diagnosing people with HIV and making sure they receive early, ongoing treatment. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV as part of routine healthcare.

Patients who seek care in participating stores are counseled by [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Total Store Expo Announces New “Vision 2027” Participants

admin2016-06-24T10:31:19-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Conferences, Retail, Total_Store_Expo|

Arlington, Va. – Nine additional companies have confirmed their engagement in the forward-thinking Vision 2027 attraction in the Exhibit Hall at the 2016 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo – which will be held August 6-9 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The NACDS Total Store Expo presents a remarkable transaction of ideas and Vision 2027 will be a tremendous part of that forward thinking at this year’s event.

Vision 2027 will provide insights into the future of retailing and trading-partner collaboration, with a unique blend of technology, interactivity, and even celebrity. The total number of companies participating in Vision 2027 currently stands at 13, with additional announcements anticipated.

“Vision 2027 will be a must-see destination for retailers and suppliers in the NACDS Total Store Expo Exhibit Hall,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “The NACDS Total Store Expo presents a remarkable transaction of ideas and Vision 2027 will be a tremendous part of that forward thinking at this year’s event.”

The new participating Vision 2027 companies announced today include:

Digital Foodie – On-demand food- and general retail through the Digital Foodie solution consists of a white label, digital solution for home and mobile shopping, recipes, order management, picking, click-and-collect and optimized deliveries – integrated with a master data management (MDM) and product information management (PIM) system for rich internal and external content management. The solution orchestrates content-capture and enrichment across B2B2C for physical and digital content and networks; powers personalized digital search by enabling robust narratives, attributes and images for millions of SKUs; and matches brand offers to shopping lists with brand direct platform (BDP) for coupons, sweepstakes, recipes, and more.

Eventable – Eventable enables brands and retailers to engage with their customers via the digital calendar. By integrating events directly into customers’ daily schedules, brands can drive sales and boost engagement. Eventable’s marketing platform provides the analytics and targeting tools necessary to understand and communicate with a brand’s customers. Eventable works with clients ranging from e-commerce sites to Fortune 500 companies, and has been featured at AD THINK, ad:tech New York, the Intel Global Challenge, and more.

Everfave [ READ MORE ]

NACDS, NCPA Urge Congress to Support TRICARE Pilot Program TRICARE pilot would improve beneficiary access to medications and reduce costs

admin2016-06-15T10:05:11-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: TRICARE|

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) are urging adoption of a key TRICARE provision when House of Representatives and Senate negotiators work to reconcile differences in the House and Senate versions of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

In a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), NACDS and NCPA expressed support for a TRICARE acquisition cost parity pilot program for community pharmacy, which would provide military families and veterans with the choice of how they get their medications and which also would lower program costs.

The pilot program, which in effect would allow the Department of Defense to access lower pricing for prescriptions dispensed at community pharmacies, is included in the version of the NDAA passed by the House on May 18. The pilot program is not included in the version passed by the Senate yesterday.

In the letter, NACDS and NCPA wrote that while the NDAA is being considered, “…it is important that any changes to reduce TRICARE costs are done without jeopardizing the health and access of the more than nine million beneficiaries, including nearly two million children, relying on the TRICARE program.” NACDS and NCPA also noted that the changes that have occurred in recent years to TRICARE place financial burdens on beneficiaries, restrict patient access and can also have the unintended consequence of reducing medication adherence.

Having acquisition cost parity for retail prescriptions will not only reduce costs, the letter states, “…it will also preserve freedom of choice for TRICARE beneficiaries, improve access by utilizing both chain and small business pharmacies in urban and rural areas, and provide a uniform and consistent pharmacy benefit with less confusion on where to fill prescriptions.” NACDS and NCPA maintain that these benefits from the pilot program will lead to improved patient outcomes and sustained, consistent relationships with local pharmacists.

NACDS Congressional Statement Urges Provider Status, MTM NACDS provides hearing statement on strengthening and improving Medicare

admin2016-06-08T09:54:21-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: NACDS_Foundation|

Arlington, Va. – In a statement today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health to focus on policies and innovations that will improve healthcare access and foster healthcare-delivery partnerships.

Expanding access to pharmacist services is a key component to reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.

As part of its commitment to strengthening and improving Medicare, NACDS asked the Subcommittee to support bipartisan legislation—H.R. 592/S. 314, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act—which would increase access to pharmacist-provided services to underserved Medicare beneficiaries, within pharmacists’ scope of practice. The legislation has been cosponsored by more than 65 percent of the U.S. House of Representatives and 45 percent of the U.S. Senate.

“The role pharmacists are playing in healthcare delivery continues to expand. In addition to medication adherence services, pharmacists are on the frontline of providing access to health tests, helping patients manage chronic health conditions and expanding immunization services,” said NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Expanding access to pharmacist services is a key component to reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.”

NACDS also voiced support for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Enhanced Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Model Pilot, which would improve the Part D MTM program by increasing outreach and targeting strategies, and ensuring services are in line with beneficiaries’ needs. NACDS urged the lawmakers to help ensure the inclusion of retail community pharmacists in the pilot program to enhance its potential for success.

Because the CMMI Enhanced MTM Model Pilot will begin in 2017, NACDS asked lawmakers to support S. 776, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2015, which would give MTM access to beneficiaries with chronic conditions in the short term before the pilot is implemented.

NACDS emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and other stakeholders to improve access to healthcare services, especially for medically underserved populations.

NACDS Foundation Launches Zika Prevention Online Webinar March of Dimes Foundation, University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy share insights in program accredited by Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

admin2016-05-27T21:11:29-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: NACDS_Foundation|

Arlington, Va. – The NACDS Foundation today launched “Zika Prevention Strategies: Patient & Community Health” – an online webinar featuring the expert content from a live webinar presented on May 25.

We appreciate the partnership on this online webinar, which will foster much-needed education on this urgent issue.

The online webinar features presentations by Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, senior vice president, maternal child health, March of Dimes Foundation, and Jeffrey Bratberg, PharmD, BCPS, clinical professor of pharmacy practice, University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. This course provides pharmacists with knowledge surrounding the zika virus, risks associated, prevention techniques and how to utilize behavioral counseling to ensure patients are reducing contraction and transmission of the Zika Virus.

“The NACDS Foundation appreciates the leadership and expertise of our presenters and everyone at the March of Dimes Foundation and the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy for helping to develop this high-quality CE program in a timely fashion, given the pressing needs associated with the Zika Virus,” said NACDS Foundation President Kathleen Jaeger. “We appreciate their partnership on this online webinar, which will foster much-needed education on this urgent issue.”

The webinar and the continuing education (CE) credit are open to all interested parties. One hour of CE credit will be available for this program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Interested participants will find information on a dedicated page on the Learner Community website.

The NACDS Foundation’s online webinar complements the organization’s radio messages and online displays in Puerto Rico that encourage women and their families to seek advice from physicians and pharmacists about ways to protect themselves and their unborn children from the effects of Zika.

Photo with Caption: The March of Dimes Foundation’s Paul E. Jarris and the NACDS Foundation’s Kathleen Jaeger, at a Zika-related National Press Club event on May 26, 2016, featuring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden.

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 ]

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 ]

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