ICYMI: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Meets with NACDS Member Pharmacies on COVID Vaccine Equity
On Wednesday, March 24, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) COVID-19 task force met with NACDS member pharmacies.
On Wednesday, March 24, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) COVID-19 task force met with NACDS member pharmacies.
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 ]
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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:
“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.
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