Press Release

NACDS Leadership: Together, Members Find Clarity Amid Chaos Value for chains and supplier members on display at NACDS Annual Meeting

admin2016-04-17T09:55:53-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Annual_Meeting, Conferences|

Palm Beach, Fla. – Representatives of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) leadership spoke today about NACDS’ role in helping chain and associate members succeed in an environment of global and national challenges. The remarks were part of a morning Business Program, which began a full day of Strategic Exchange Appointments among diverse chains and supplier partners at the 2016 NACDS Annual Meeting.

The value of NACDS is measured in what together we provide to our communities, patients and society in general.

The following is a selection of quotes from the remarks of NACDS Chairman of the Board Randy Edeker, chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee, Inc.:

“The value of NACDS is measured in what together we provide to our communities, patients and society in general.”
“NACDS provides transactional value to the business, but it’s much, much more. NACDS brings an intangible value: the inspiration I get when I come to events like this. As much as technology has advanced, it’s the relationships that really matter. It’s the knowledge and the strength that come from joining together.”
“Advocacy is definitely a key strength of this organization.”
“One of my favorite events is TSE – the NACDS Total Store Expo. I love Meet the Market at TSE. It’s where you find the items you’re looking for. You meet with the company maybe you never would have met with. I walk in and see those tables and I see opportunity.”
“Before I made the decision to engage more in NACDS, associate members told me this is where you need to be. It’s been one of the best things to happen in the life of our company. I couldn’t be more proud, thankful and grateful for my time as chairman of NACDS.”

The following is a selection of quotes from the remarks of NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, who later moderated a question-and-answer session with keynote speaker John Boehner, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:

“One of the numerous aspects of NACDS that I love is that we celebrate each other’s successes, and we are always there for each other when we need help and assistance – when we may [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Supports Legislation to Advance Better Care for Patients Legislation will “promote accountability and better care management for chronically ill patients”

admin2016-04-14T09:42:37-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Medicare|

Arlington, Va. – Bipartisan legislation introduced in the House of Representatives to advance better care for Medicare patients with chronic conditions received support from NACDS in letters to Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Peter Welch (D-VT). The congressmen are the original sponsors of the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (H.R. 4878), which would amend the Social Security Act to establish a Medicare Better Care Program (BCP) to provide integrated medical care for patients with chronic conditions. We are happy that the effectiveness of pharmacists in delivering patient care is resonating with policymakers.

“Your legislation will promote accountability and better care management for chronically ill patients and provide coordinated services under Parts A, B and D, while recognizing that pharmacists and pharmacy services have great potential to improve care for patients with chronic health conditions,” NACDS said in the letter.

BCPs provide a coordinated care approach for patients with chronic conditions to help them manage their health.

NACDS’ letter noted pharmacists’ ability to improve access to quality care, to improve patient health, and to make healthcare more affordable.

“As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, pharmacists have expanded their role in healthcare delivery, partnering with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to meet their patients’ needs. By providing services that allow patients to take their medications more effectively and by providing preventive services, pharmacists help patients avoid more costly forms of care down the line,” NACDS wrote.

“We are happy that the effectiveness of pharmacists in delivering patient care is resonating with policymakers,” NACDS concluded in the letter.

NACDS Recommends Online Resources to Help Plan and Maximize 2016 NACDS Total Store Expo Experience NACDS members share why planning ahead with NACDS Total Store Expo online resources is critical to success

admin2016-04-14T09:33:35-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Conferences, Total_Store_Expo|

Arlington, Va. – Online resources are now available to help retailers and suppliers get the most out of the 2016 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo, to be held at the Boston Convention Center & Exhibition Center August 6-9, 2016.

With NACDS, people do show up, they’re interested in speaking with you, so you do save time and money.

Each year, NACDS’ Total Store Expo attracts over 5,600 retailer- and supplier-attendees. Many conference participants have contributed their success to the accessibility and utilization of the NACDS Total Store Expo online resources that are most beneficial when used in planning in advance to attend.

NACDS offers state-of-the art online and mobile resources to help attendees make the most out of their experience at NACDS Total Store Expo. The NACDS Total Store Expo website, mobile app, and NACDS-TV offer resources including webinars, checklists, online planning tools, an online press room and other tools for retailers and supplies – all designed to optimize trade show opportunities.

“You get to book the meetings with everyone you want to meet with…everybody shows up. With NACDS, people do show up, they’re interested in speaking with you, so you do save time and money,” said Vincent Ouellette, sales & development business manager of Vic Store Fixtures during his interview with NACDS-TV.

Arvind Nathan, sourcing director, Walmart, highlights the benefits of prescheduled appointments using the online planning tool when attending NACDS Total Store Expo in an NACDS-TV interview.

“Preparation is truly the key to a successful experience at the NACDS Total Store Expo – both for retailers and suppliers,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.

The 2016 NACDS Total Store Expo is the industry’s largest gathering of its most influential leaders. It is a combination of both strategic and tactical business meetings between existing and new trading partners and is attended by industry decision-makers. A tradeshow and senior-level conference blended into a powerful appointment-based show, retailers and suppliers will find innovative and cutting-edge programming designed to promote strategic and tactical collaboration across departments within their companies. [ READ MORE ]

With Final Passage, Congress to Send to President NACDS-Backed Drug Abuse, Access Bill Legislation reflects “100-percent commitment to patient care and zero tolerance for abuse”

admin2016-04-12T16:22:03-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: DEA, Drug_Abuse, HHS|

Arlington, Va. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016 (S. 483) in the same version passed by the Senate, making President Obama’s consideration and signature the final step before enactment.

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

“This legislation is consistent with NACDS’ position that the complexity of these issues demands a 100-percent commitment to patient care and a zero tolerance for abuse,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “We appreciate the leadership of 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) for a tremendous accomplishment: guiding an excellent piece of legislation to the brink of becoming law.”

The Senate passed S. 483 on March 17, 2016. The House previously passed a slightly different version one year ago – in April 2015.

NACDS has noted that the steady progress of the legislation in the Congress can be considered to be highly consistent with public attitudes. In an opinion study commissioned by NACDS last summer, likely voters who are engaged and aware when it comes to current events indicated through their responses an appreciation for the need to address drug abuse and drug access in a complementary manner.

Nearly 8-in-10 respondents agreed with the statement: “Pharmacies have a dual role when it comes to battling prescription drug abuse: They have to be part of the solution by working with law enforcement officials to stop prescription drug abuse, but they also have to maintain their responsibilities to patients by making sure they receive the medications they legitimately need.”

NACDS prepared a timeline of significant events related to this legislation’s journey through Congress.

NACDS, NCPA Urge Congress Not to Increase TRICARE Copays

admin2016-04-06T16:00:03-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: TRICARE|

Washington, D.C. – In their ongoing commitment to protect TRICARE beneficiaries’ access to prescription medications, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) sent letters last week to the chairmen and ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) urging them to protect TRICARE beneficiary access by refusing to further increase retail community pharmacist copayments.

NACDS and NCPA referenced last year’s Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s report, which highlighted the importance of beneficiary choice and access, and strongly recommended that Congress support policies that maintain those vital aspects of the military healthcare system.

The letter points out that copay increases place financial burdens on TRICARE beneficiaries and restrict patient access. In addition, the letter states, increased copays and restricted patient access “can have the unintended effect of reducing medication adherence, resulting in decreased health outcomes and more costly medical interventions, such as physician and emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.”

NACDS and NCPA have remained highly engaged in efforts to preserve pharmacy access and choice for TRICARE patients over the years, advocating against increased copays, which place a great burden on TRICARE beneficiaries—especially retirees and families of active duty military—and also severely limit their ability to receive medications and services from their neighborhood pharmacies.