Congress | NACDS

NACDS Urges Standardized Pharmacy Performance Measures, DIR Fee Reform in Statement to Key House Committee As the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Health Subcommittee pursues drug-pricing reform, NACDS also pledges to work with Congress for policies that would not further undermine or complicate pharmacy reimbursement in the Part D program nor potentially harm patients’ access to affordable care

admin2021-05-04T16:25:45-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Congress, DIR, Drug_Pricing, Medicare, Reimbursement|

As the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Health Subcommittee pursues drug-pricing reform, NACDS also pledges to work with Congress for policies that would not further undermine or complicate pharmacy reimbursement in the Part D program nor potentially harm patients’ access to affordable care

In Case You Missed It: From the Halls of Congress to the Virtual NACDS Annual Meeting – Pharmacy’s Value Front and Center

admin2021-05-04T09:45:19-04:00Categories: In Case You Missed It|Tags: Annual_Meeting, Conferences, Congress, NACDS, Pharmacy_Value, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

Last week, the virtual NACDS Annual Meeting honored NACDS chain and supplier members for empowering America’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Case You Missed It: National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Gordon Smith Emphasizes Trusted, Local Voice of Pharmacists in Senate Subcommittee Hearing

admin2021-04-19T11:25:31-04:00Categories: In Case You Missed It|Tags: Congress, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

NAB President & CEO Emphasizes Trust of Pharmacists in Senate Subcommittee Hearing.

NACDS Recognizes Members of Congress for Strong Support of Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations Letter to Administration salutes President Biden’s leadership, urges vaccine allocation to pharmacies sufficient for “allowing individuals to stay in their local neighborhoods when scheduling a vaccination appointment”

admin2021-04-15T09:23:04-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Congress, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

Letter to Administration salutes President Biden’s leadership, urges vaccine allocation to pharmacies sufficient for “allowing individuals to stay in their local neighborhoods when scheduling a vaccination appointment.”

ICYMI: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Meets with NACDS Member Pharmacies on COVID Vaccine Equity

admin2021-03-29T12:02:06-04:00Categories: In Case You Missed It|Tags: Congress, Pharmacy Value, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

On Wednesday, March 24, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) COVID-19 task force met with NACDS member pharmacies.

NACDS RxIMPACT Announces Grassroots Awards During 2021 Virtual Program

admin2021-03-16T09:27:09-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Awards, Congress, RxIMPACT|

The NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots advocacy program announced several grassroots recognitions during the Virtual 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill opening program on Thursday, March 4.

In addition to the ground-breaking event’s critical importance in advocating for pro-patient, pro-pharmacy priorities, the 2021 program also served as the virtual venue for the announcement of four awards and the recognition of seven Pioneers.

This year, NACDS presented the 2020 and 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact of the Year Awards. The 2020 awards were presented this year given that the 2020 event could not be held due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which closed Capitol Hill offices.

The first two awards went to Randy Edeker, president and CEO of Hy-Vee, Inc., past NACDS chairman and current NACDS Board of Directors member, who received the 2020 NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact of the Year Award; and Lynne Fruth, president of Fruth Pharmacy and current NACDS Board of Directors member, who earned the 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact of the Year award.

The Key Contact Award recognizes pharmacy advocates who actively engage with members of Congress on pro-pharmacy legislative priorities.

Edeker distinguished himself through his commitment to raising awareness among Members of Congress and the federal executive branch about the critical need for direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee reform. Edeker is highly engaged in NACDS RxIMPACT activities, and has organized various pharmacy tours at Hy-Vee with national leaders. Edeker’s passion for DIR free reform continues to inspire action among pharmacy advocates and key legislators alike.

Fruth was recognized for her dedication to serving as a voice of the industry and for consistently engaging with key federal and state legislators on critical pharmacy issues that directly impact pharmacy value and viability, such as DIR fee reform and 340B. For over a decade, Fruth has actively participated in nearly 100 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill meetings and has led myriad Congressional pharmacy tours at Fruth Pharmacy. Fruth and her team were recently recognized by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) for their dedication to getting COVID-19 vaccinations to West Virginia communities.

NACDS also presented the 2020 and 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Leader of the Year Awards – a recognition [ READ MORE ]

Virtual 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill Urges Pro-Patient, Pro-Pharmacy Issues Illuminated by Pandemic Preparedness COVID-19 vaccination speed and equity; “DIR fee” reform; organized retail crime among key topics for virtual advocacy March 3-4

admin2021-03-03T11:32:32-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Congress, DIR, Preparedness, RxIMPACT, Vaccinations|

COVID-19 vaccination speed and equity; “DIR fee” reform; organized retail crime among key topics for virtual advocacy March 3-4.

NACDS Recommends Congressional Action Regarding Pharmacies’ Critical Role in Overcoming Pandemic “Pharmacies are deeply committed to recovery efforts to re-open America by accelerating COVID vaccinations, expanding COVID testing, administering preventative vaccines, and promoting better community health,” NACDS tells key House subcommittee

admin2021-02-03T16:30:33-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Congress, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

“Pharmacies are deeply committed to recovery efforts to re-open America by accelerating COVID vaccinations, expanding COVID testing, administering preventative vaccines, and promoting better community health,” NACDS tells key House subcommittee

NACDS Among Coalition Members Urging Implementation Without Delay for Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances Letter to Congress asks that “CMS promptly undertakes the requisite rulemaking so that the agency is able to establish a January 1, 2022 deadline for EPCS compliance” to help address opioid-abuse issues

admin2020-12-10T12:47:30-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Congress, Drug_Abuse|

A letter to Congress asks that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services "promptly undertakes the requisite rulemaking so that the agency is able to establish a January 1, 2022 deadline for EPCS compliance” to help address opioid-abuse issues.

NACDS Working Alongside March of Dimes #BlanketChange Movement for Healthcare Equity, Access and Prevention

admin2020-09-23T11:01:27-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Community, Congress|

NACDS has aligned with the March of Dimes’ 2020 #BlanketChange campaign, launched today to improve the health and wellness of moms and babies through improved healthcare equity, access and prevention.

The campaign will raise awareness of tragedies such as the finding that Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes nationwide. It will translate awareness into action on policies focused on:

Equity: eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities and driving economic, social and health equity by focusing on prevention, treatment and social determinants of health;
Access: improving access to care through expanding critical health programs and closing gaps in coverage;
Prevention: addressing preventable health conditions through expanding research and improving maternal morbidity and mortality data collection.

“Pharmacists and pharmacies are among the most trusted and accessible healthcare destinations and play a vital role in addressing the needs of those who have suffered from disparities in care. NACDS strongly appreciates and supports the work of March of Dimes to bring these important needs to light,” said NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson.

NACDS’ alignment with the March of Dimes’ #BlanketChange initiative complements its ongoing focus on healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health. Most recently, NACDS has advanced these issues through its flu-vaccination communications campaign, its advocacy on COVID-19 issues, and its commitment to social justice issues.

NACDS also has engaged with thought leaders, advocates and government agencies such as the World Health Care Congress, the American Public Health Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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