A member-driven conference of a member-driven Association, the NACDS Regional Chain Conference fostered discussions led by true experts – including this general session on Food is Medicine.
The 2025 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Regional Chain Conference continued today with presentations from top speakers on the current and future-focused issues facing the industry.
Throughout the Conference, attendees have explored topics including: strong retail categories; artificial intelligence (AI); caregiver issues; pharmacy care services; value-based care; pharmacy reimbursement; pharmaceutical trends; Food is Medicine; employment and labor law; the outlook for politics and public policy; and more.
NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson said: “The attendees and speakers have created a great couple of days here at the NACDS Regional Chain Conference and we appreciate their strong engagement. The program has equipped chains and supplier partners with extremely important insights about issues that matter right now and that will tie directly to attendees’ ability to lead their companies and the industry into the future. There is a strong sense that the NACDS membership is very much looking forward to the 2025 NACDS Annual Meeting and the 2025 NACDS Total Store Expo to keep up important conversations and collaboration as a pivotal year unfolds.”
The 2025 event was led effectively by 2025 NACDS Regional Chain Conference Chair Angie Nelson, PharmD, senior vice president, pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Inc. NACDS has announced the chair of the 2026 NACDS Regional Chain Conference: John McGrath, RPh, senior vice president of pharmacy, H-E-B.
The vibrant content of this year’s Conference included:
Scaling Up Pharmacy Care Services – Expanding the impact and reach of pharmacies is critical to improving health outcomes. This session explored key opportunities to sustain and scale clinical pharmacy services.
- Angie Nelson, PharmD, senior vice president, pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Inc. and 2025 Regional Chain Conference Chair
- John Marraffa, RPh, president, Kinney Drugs, Inc.
- Anthony Pudlo, PharmD, MBA, MSHIA, CEO, Tennessee Pharmacists Association
- Katie Scanlon, senior director of pharmacy administration, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Breaking Down Barriers in Value-Based Care – Value-based care offers the promise of better healthcare quality and lower costs. This session explored strategies to overcome challenges and foster the role of pharmacies in value-based care and alternative payment models.
- Justin Heiser, PharmD, president and CEO, Thrifty White Pharmacy
- Katie Wunderlich, consultant, CapView Strategies
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Policy Updates and Compliance: Key Developments for Chain Pharmacy Operations – This session provided an overview of DEA policy changes and developments relevant to chain pharmacy operations and compliance.
- Kevin Nicholson, R.Ph, J.D., vice president, public policy, regulatory and legal affairs, NACDS
- Libby Baney, partner, Faegre Drinker LLP
- Elliot Vice, director, Faegre Drinker LLP
2025 Pharmaceutical Trends, Issues, and Forecasts – This session provided an analysis of the most up-to-date industry data, and highlight pharmacy trends, issues, and forecasts, in demographic sales and marketing, for 2025 and beyond.
- Scott Biggs, director of supplier services, IQVIA
- Doug Long, vice president of industry relations, IQVIA
Pharmacies Championing Food is Medicine – The Food is Medicine movement continues to grow, emphasizing the intersection between nutrition, medications, and chronic disease. This session explored how pharmacies can lead the way on food and health across communities.
- Steven Jennings, stakeholder relations and brand lead, health and sustainability, Ahold Delhaize USA
- Nancy Lyons, BSPharm, MBA, CDCES, vice president and chief pharmacy officer, Health Mart
- Judy Monroe, MD, president and CEO, CDC Foundation
- Angie Nelson, PharmD, senior vice president, pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Inc. and 2025 Regional Chain Conference Chair
- Lisa Smith, PharmD, MBA, group director, pharmacy health services, Walmart Health and Wellness
Advancing Access to Testing & Screenings – Patients and consumers leverage pharmacies as critical access points for testing and screenings across a wide range of clinical needs. This session afforded discussion of pharmacy testing models.
- Jackie Morse, group vice president, pharmacy, Meijer, Inc.
- Sara Roszak, DrPH, MPH, MA, senior vice president, health and wellness strategy and policy, NACDS
Pharmacy Reimbursement: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow – Reimbursement reform continues to be a top priority in the industry and at the federal and state legislative and regulatory levels. This session highlighted the current reimbursement landscape and provide insight into the path to comprehensive reimbursement reform.
- Christie Boutte, PharmD, RPh, senior vice president, reimbursement, innovation and advocacy, NACDS
- Stephanie Katz, JD, MPH, vice president, reimbursement, innovation, and advocacy, NACDS
- Lauren Lyles-Stolz, PharmD, RPh, vice president, reimbursement, innovation, and advocacy, NACDS
Employment and Labor Law Update – What happened in the last year in the world of employment and how does that affect businesses? Where are the greatest litigation risks and what best practices can minimize them?
- Deborah Kelly, partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
What’s “in store” for 2025? – This session reviewed the largest categories and fastest growing categories in a drug store setting and discussed how retailers can plan to win.
- Margaret Swiatkowski , senior director II, Retail Center of Excellence, Circana
Empowering Pharmacies: Leveraging Generative AI for Operational Efficiencies and Sales Growth – This session helped attendees discover how leading retail and pharmacy companies are harnessing the power of Generative AI to drive innovation, boost sales, and streamline operations. It explored real-world applications, from personalized customer experiences to inventory optimization and enhanced decision-making. In addition, a separate hands-on session helped attendees learn how to use Gen AI to become more efficient at work and at home.
- Todd Huseby, partner, Americas consumer healthcare lead, Kearney
Collaborating for Caregivers – This was an engaging workshop designed for pharmacy executives and their supplier partners to share insights and initiatives supporting caregivers. It spotlighted innovative programs, personal experiences, and actionable strategies to address the unique challenges faced by caregivers—whether they are helping loved ones or their patients.
- Reema Jweied-Guegel, senior director, AARP
A principal feature of Tuesday’s programming was the One-to-One Business Conferences – a highly popular aspect of the schedule that fosters collaboration among NACDS chain and associate members and which sets the standard for NACDS meetings and conferences. The well-designed networking functions also delivered tremendous value.
As reported previously, 2025 NACDS Regional Chain Conference Chair Angie Nelson, senior vice president, pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Inc.; NACDS Chair Kevin Host, senior vice president, pharmacy, Walmart; and NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson on Monday discussed the industry’s resolve to advocate and innovate in ways that advance people and their pharmacies.
Complementing that part of the program, Host welcomed to the stage Ralph Clare, senior vice president, health and wellness merchandising, Walmart, for a “fireside chat” about collaboration throughout the company and throughout the store to benefit customers. Also, Anderson moderated a general session discussion, “The Future of Health and Pharmacy Policy in the Second Trump Administration,” featuring Jack Kalavratinos, founder, JK Strategies, and Keith Nahigian, president, Nahigian Strategies – which now is available on-demand.
NACDS expressed strong appreciation for the 45 Supplier Strategic Partners who supported retailers and participated in the program. More information about the 2025 Conference program – with compelling speakers on topics relevant to the entire store – is available on the event’s website.
NACDS also urges member company representatives to register now for the 2025 NACDS Annual Meeting, to be held April 26-29 in Palm Beach, FL, and the 2025 NACDS Total Store Expo, to be held August 23-25 in San Diego, CA.
Photos will be made available to the media.
