Press Release

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 ]

NACDS Foundation Launches Online Messages for Puerto Rico Zika Prevention Campaign Online displays and microsite join radio messages launched last week

admin2016-05-17T10:23:58-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Community, NACDS_Foundation|

Arlington, Va. – As part of a Zika education initiative in Puerto Rico, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today launched an online presence that will complement radio messages that began airing on Monday, May 9.

Since announcing this campaign a week ago, it has been wonderful to hear from other organizations that have expressed an interest in helping to sustain this initiative. We hope that these and additional partnerships will help to meet this pressing health need for as long as it exists.

Like the radio messages, the online displays 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. The online displays link to a microsite that provides easy access to vital information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation.

“The radio and online messages share the same goal: to help educate and empower women in Puerto Rico and their families about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children,” said Kathleen Jaeger, president of the NACDS Foundation. “Since announcing this campaign a week ago, it has been wonderful to hear from other organizations that have expressed an interest in helping to sustain this initiative. We hope that these and additional partnerships will help to meet this pressing health need for as long as it exists.”

The NACDS Foundation primarily focuses on fostering evidence-based research through strategic partnerships. Based on conversations with public health authorities, the NACDS Foundation made the decision to assist with the prevention education effort. The NACDS Foundation intends to leverage the effort by securing additional partners to extend the campaign for a year, or as needed.

“I personally appreciate this meaningful work to help the people of Puerto Rico address a public health situation facing this generation and generations to come,” said Luis Fortuño, former Governor of Puerto Rico, when the campaign was announced last week. “At times like this, the needs are great, and raising awareness is among those critical needs. I applaud the philanthropic and private [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Total Store Expo Set to Look Ahead with “Vision 2027” Popular and futuristic Exhibit Hall attraction returns with dynamic partners, content

admin2016-05-13T09:51:10-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Conferences, Retail, Total_Store_Expo|

Arlington, Va. – Retailers and exhibitors alike will benefit from 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.

Vision 2027 contributes powerfully to one of the most frequently asked questions: ‘what will be new this year at the NACDS Total Store Expo?’

NACDS has announced four companies that already have confirmed their participation in “Vision 2027,” with additional announcements anticipated. Together, these companies will provide insights into the future of retailing and trading-partner collaboration, with a unique blend of technology, interactivity, and even celebrity.

“Vision 2027 contributes powerfully to one of the most frequently asked questions: ‘what will be new this year at the NACDS Total Store Expo?’” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “The answer is always apparent in the new ideas, the new products and services and the new content presented at the NACDS Total Store Expo. We are excited about what the Vision 2027 participants will bring to this equation, and about the contributions of all the exhibitors and retailers.”

NACDS announced the participation of the following participants in Vision 2027:

Fung Global Retail & Technology – Led by Deb Weinswig, the company will introduce 12-15 innovators that provide solutions for consumer goods, the pharmacy, clinics and patient engagement. Their insights will appeal to attendees interested in enhancing the shopping experience, engaging patients through omni-channel strategies, and optimizing data analytics and cloud computing. The company also will bring to Vision 2027 elements of its Innovation Center in Shanghai, highlighting some of the leading-edge retail technology companies that have demonstrated success.

Kantar Retail – The company will provide a view of what the “perfect shopper interaction of tomorrow” will look like. This aspect of Vision 2027 will deliver a forward-looking view at virtual reality’s power to serve up both retail environments and testing capabilities, and a view of the ways in which best-in-class companies will link analytics into compelling economic and shopper-centered solutions.

Nielsen – Marketers are navigating a world of unprecedented complexity and are searching for ways to make sense [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Foundation Launches Zika Prevention Campaign on Radio, Online in Puerto Rico

admin2016-05-06T15:43:48-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Community, NACDS_Foundation|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today announced a radio- and digital-based Zika education initiative in Puerto Rico. Radio messages set to debut on Monday, May 9, and subsequent online placements will encourage women to seek advice from physicians and pharmacists about ways to protect themselves and their unborn children from the effects of Zika.

The NACDS Foundation is taking this action to help address an imminent public-health need, by helping to educate and empower women in Puerto Rico about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children.

“The NACDS Foundation is taking this action to help address an imminent public-health need, by helping to educate and empower women in Puerto Rico about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children,” said Kathleen Jaeger, president of the NACDS Foundation. “We are actively seeking additional partners to sustain this initiative while the need remains, and to complement the work of all those in the public health community who are standing with the people affected by this situation.”

The NACDS Foundation primarily focuses on fostering evidence-based research through strategic partnerships. Based on conversations with public health authorities, the NACDS Foundation made the decision to assist with the prevention education effort. The NACDS Foundation intends to leverage the effort by securing additional partners to extend the campaign for a year, or as needed.

“I personally appreciate this meaningful work to help the people of Puerto Rico address a public health situation facing this generation and generations to come,” said Luis Fortuño, former Governor of Puerto Rico. “At times like this, the needs are great, and raising awareness is among those critical needs. I applaud the philanthropic and private entities that are playing a vital role in this emerging public health threat, like the NACDS Foundation’s campaign that will help get the word out about prevention.”

In an April 15 briefing for philanthropic and business leaders, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., said the current Zika virus outbreak is unprecedented, and that Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and other severe brain [ READ MORE ]

Access to Care Provision Part of CMS’ Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule Final rule includes NACDS-backed provision to strengthen patient access to care

admin2016-04-27T11:41:54-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: CMS, Medicaid|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) applauds the Center for Medicare & Medicaid’s (CMS) inclusion of network adequacy standards—which would improve patient access to care in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)—in the Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care final rule the agency released on April 21.

The final rule marks the first major overhaul of the Medicaid and CHIP programs in more than a decade, and seeks to align key rules with other healthcare coverage programs. In order to strengthen access to care, the final rule requires states to establish network adequacy standards in Medicaid and CHIP managed care for key providers—including pharmacy—if their services are covered under the Medicaid contract, and the pharmacy network is consistent with the access standards for delivery networks.

NACDS has consistently advocated for network adequacy standards that promote access based on patients’ needs, availability of care and providers, and utilization of services. In response to a request from CMS, NACDS submitted comments in 2015 recommending that “the final rule should include a framework that will serve as a tool to ensure that plans maintain beneficiary access to their current providers.” In addition to establishing a framework, NACDS said it hoped to help CMS “create standards that will serve to maintain the strong link between Medicaid patients and community pharmacies and the valuable services that these pharmacies provide.”

“CMS’ decision to include a provision that ensures patients have access to pharmacy services is consistent with NACDS’ position on ensuring patients have continued access to care, which leads to better overall health outcomes and reduced costs,” said NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “NACDS remains committed to working with CMS as it strives to advance and improve the healthcare system.”

Of note, the effective date of the rule is July 6, 2016, however the section specific to access to care is effective July 1, 2018. The final rule indicates that plans will not be held out of compliance with this requirement until July 1, 2018.

Tim Hayes Receives Chain Pharmacy’s Highest Honor at NACDS Annual Meeting Tim Hayes of Bayer Consumer Health receives Robert B. Begley Award

admin2016-04-19T10:58:33-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Awards, NACDS|

Palm Beach, Fla. – An extremely successful National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Annual Meeting culminated with the presentation of the Robert B. Begley award to Tim Hayes, former president of Bayer Consumer Health.

As much as your business accomplishments, the Begley award recognizes your personality, leadership style, wit, kindness and winning spirit.

Hayes has been with the company for nearly 25 years – including 15 years as president of Bayer Consumer Health. Throughout his career, he has held positions of increasing responsibility in sales, business development, mergers and acquisition and strategic business management.

In presenting the award to Hayes, newly-elected NACDS Chairman of the Board Martin Otto, chief merchant and chief financial officer of H-E-B, quoted Hayes’ successor, Erica Mann, president of Bayer Consumer Health, on her reaction to hearing the news of her colleague’s award: “There are a few, very special times when you receive news that makes you stand up and cheer… because it is so good and so right.

“As much as your business accomplishments, the Begley award recognizes your personality, leadership style, wit, kindness and winning spirit. And this is why no one deserves the honor more than you do.”

The Robert B. Begley Award—established in 1980—is named in memory of former NACDS Chairman of the Board Robert B. Begley and honors an individual who possesses qualities of great personal warmth, generous spirit and longtime service to the industry.

Hayes was recognized by his colleagues, friends and family at the NACDS Annual Meeting dinner and awards ceremony tonight.

NACDS-Backed Drug Abuse, Access Bill Enacted President signs bill consistent with pharmacy’s “100-percent commitment to patient care and zero tolerance for abuse”

admin2016-04-19T10:54:47-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: DEA, Drug_Abuse, HHS|

Arlington, Va. – President Barack Obama today signed into law the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016.

This new law is one part of the culture change that needs to occur to make possible a nuanced approach to this complex issue.

The new law, advocated by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), seeks to advance collaboration among health and enforcement authorities to achieve drug abuse solutions that maintain patients’ legitimate access to medications.

NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, today called the bill’s enactment a positive step forward for those whose lives have been substantially affected by prescription drug abuse and by lack of access to needed medications. He described the broad-based and consistent effort to urge meaningful dialogue and action on these issues.

“To help raise awareness of the complexities surrounding these problems, NACDS and the U.S. Pain Foundation co-wrote an op-ed that was published last year in The Tampa Tribune,” he said. “That op-ed started with the frank realities of the situation: ‘To hear of one family devastated by prescription drug abuse is to receive motivation to tackle the problem. Yet to hear a story of a suffering patient who cannot receive a needed pain medication serves as equal motivation to protect access. Both of these scenarios need to be addressed — simultaneously.’

“This new law is one part of the culture change that needs to occur to make possible a nuanced approach to this complex issue. We appreciate the President’s signing this bill into law today. We thank for their leadership in the Congress: Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). And we thank those in the patient advocacy community, the enforcement community, and other allies in healthcare for making possible this important step toward consensus.”

NACDS has noted that the new law is highly consistent with public attitudes. In an opinion study commissioned by NACDS last summer, likely voters who are engaged and aware when it [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Chairman Martin Otto Highlights NACDS’ Value to Members and to Nation’s Health and Wellness In inaugural remarks, Otto thanks chain and associate members for making NACDS strong

admin2016-04-19T10:50:52-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Annual_Meeting, Conferences, NACDS|

Palm Beach, Fla. – In his first remarks as chairman of the Board of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), Martin Otto, chief merchant and chief financial officer of H-E-B, recognized the contributions of NACDS chain and associate members in improving health and wellness in communities nationwide, and in building the value that diverse members derive from their engagement in NACDS.

There are a lot of structural issues in the healthcare system and my hope is that through NACDS we can be part of the solution.

Otto’s remarks were part of a morning Business Program, which also featured remarks by General Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Otto credited the strong engagement of NACDS’ chain and supplier members, and of NACDS’ Board of Directors and staff team, for the Association’s success. In describing his interest in becoming increasingly involved in NACDS, Otto said, “It’s a very well run organization and that really matters to me. Also, as was the case with [past NACDS Chairman and Hy-Vee, Inc. Chairman, CEO and President] Randy Edeker, the health and wellness pieces are occupying a greater portion of the energy of our team, and NACDS is the right organization for us to be actively involved in.”

He reinforced key NACDS priorities, including creating a “retailer-supplier marketplace,” advocating on behalf of the industry, and helping to improve the healthcare delivery system.

“I generally hear that NACDS’ meetings are the best in the industry partly because everyone comes to the meetings, and the reason everyone comes to the meetings is that they’re the best in the industry,” Otto said. “It’s also a role of our Association to be a leader in improving healthcare in our country. We need to lead in quality, cost and access.”

Regarding the effort to help improve health and wellness, he described several “interconnected issues” that demand attention and that create opportunities for NACDS members to make a difference. These issues include opportunities to improve the public’s health knowledge and behavior; to improve patients’ access and time with healthcare providers; and to address structural issues such as misaligned provider incentives and obstacles to e-prescribing and electronic health records.

“There are a lot [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program Awards $230,000 for Educational Programs to Improve Patient Care

admin2016-04-18T10:29:20-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Community, NACDS_Foundation|

Palm Beach, Fla. – Recognizing the important role of pharmacy education in helping to advance patient care, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation announced $230,000 in scholarships and grants through its 2016 NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program. The recipients were presented with their awards tonight at an NACDS Foundation event during the NACDS Annual Meeting. The NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to fund prospective projects that hold promise to meaningfully improve patient care.

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 2016 NACDS Foundation Scholarships for excellence in education are:

1. Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy will expand patient access to community pharmacist-driven medication management services by developing a new Innovation Center that will pilot cutting-edge telehealth technology and align professional development with new models of care.

2. Duquesne University, Mylan School of Pharmacy will help prevent opioid-related overdose deaths in collaboration with the Allegheny County Department of Health in Pennsylvania by improving access to naloxone, developing an education program for pharmacists, and promoting public awareness and community outreach.

3. University of Charleston School of Pharmacy will launch a rural outreach screening campaign in West Virginia in collaboration with public health entities in order to provide much-needed care in underserved communities and advance public health.

4. University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will promote enhanced pharmacy services for underserved patients living in rural Colorado, strengthen inter-professional healthcare partnerships, and examine the health outcomes impact of improved data sharing among local healthcare entities.

5. University of New England College of Pharmacy will address the prescription drug abuse epidemic and its devastating health consequences for patients in Maine by creating a continuing education curriculum for [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Elects 2016-2017 Officers, New Board, Executive Committee Members

admin2016-04-18T10:08:11-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Annual_Meeting, Conferences, NACDS|

Palm Beach, Fla. – During its Annual Meeting, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) elected new officers, two new Executive Committee members and six new Board of Directors members for the coming year.

Martin [Otto] has generously and energetically contributed his leadership to NACDS as a member of the Board and as an officer…

Martin Otto, chief merchant & chief financial officer of H-E-B, will serve as the new NACDS chairman of the Board of Directors, succeeding Randy Edeker, chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee, Inc.

In addition, Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreen Co., was elected NACDS vice chairman, and Mark Panzer, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness of Albertsons Companies, was elected NACDS treasurer. Each officer will serve a one-year term.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Martin as chairman of the NACDS Board of Directors,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Martin has generously and energetically contributed his leadership to NACDS as a member of the Board and as an officer, and the entire H-E-B team has a legacy of strong engagement in all facets of NACDS’ work.”

The NACDS Board also elected the following new Executive Committee members: Carmen Bauza, senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Walmart andMark Panzer, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness with Albertsons Companies.

Six new Board of Directors members were also elected to serve three-year terms: Rick Keyes, president at Meijer, Inc.; Chris Lane, senior vice president at Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite; Andre Persaud, executive vice president of retail at Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC; George Riedl, senior vice president, president Walmart Health and Wellness; David Vucurevich, chief operating officer at Genoa, a Qol Healthcare Company.

The 26 members of the NACDS Board of Directors develop NACDS’ policies and priorities.

National Association of Chain Drug StoresPharmacies. The face of neighborhood healthcare.