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NACDS Previews “Pharmacy Outlook 2017” in Chain Drug Review Call to action includes engagement in NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill

2017-01-11T14:32:53-05:00Categories: Article|Tags: , , , , |

The opening line of an NACDS-authored article in the January 2, 2017, edition of Chain Drug Review says it all. “I will spare you the introductory paragraph that attempts eloquence,” writes NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Let’s get right to the point. In NACDS’ view, 2017 could be one of the most pivotal years in healthcare policy and in pharmacy patient care.”

NACDS already is waging a two-front campaign related to the ACA.

While NACDS’ article on the policy outlook for the coming year has become somewhat of an annual tradition, its content this time around is decidedly untraditional. For example, Anderson noted the importance of continuing to bird-dog the implementation of pharmacy provisions of the Affordable Care Act and its subsequent Executive Branch rules, while at the same time advocating for pharmacy’s perspective amid emerging efforts to somehow repeal and replace the law.

“NACDS already is waging a two-front campaign related to the ACA,” Anderson noted.

The article also describes NACDS’ work on issues related to provider status for pharmacists; scope of practice; TRICARE and more. In addition, Anderson urges participation in NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots programs, which have become essential to telling pharmacy’s story to government leaders and to earning progress on a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy agenda.

Calling on pharmacy advocates to match the amazing results of the 2016 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill – when they met with 90 percent of the U.S. Congress – Anderson declared that “pharmacy’s engagement is needed to defend and advance pharmacy patient care.”

The 2017 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill will be held March 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C.

The article that starts with a plain-spoken assessment of the public policy stakes in 2017 concludes with similar candor regarding the importance of NACDS’ flagship grassroots advocacy event: “For the good of your business and the patients you serve, you need to be there – perhaps like never before.”

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Senate Makes First Move on ACA Deconstruction

2017-01-06T13:17:42-05:00Categories: Article|Tags: , , |

The Senate Budget Committee has made the first move in changing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as we know it.

On Tuesday, the panel – chaired by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) – introduced a resolution that provides “reconciliation instructions” to various Senate and House committees, essentially allowing the panels to take apart the ACA as expeditiously as possible and with only a simple-majority vote.

Under the resolution, the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, would report legislation by January 27 to the Budget Committee in their respective chambers of Congress. The legislative provisions would be melded into bills that would be considered by the full House and by the full Senate.

All of this could be set into motion by potential votes on the budget resolution in the House and Senate next week.

NACDS and allied associations continue to advocate for a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy approach to any related modifications to pharmacy reimbursement in government programs.

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Pharmacy Associations Highlight Pro-Patient Priorities Amid ACA Review Letter to president- and vice president-elect, congressional leadership emphasizes pharmacy access to improve patient outcomes and prevent higher healthcare costs

2016-12-19T09:29:52-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: , , , |

Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the new power structure in Washington, D.C., the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) have detailed steps necessary to leverage pharmacy patient care and prevent higher costs that result from untreated conditions.

 “As the incoming Administration and Congress consider potential changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, we ask that you ensure that beneficiary access to pharmacies is protected. Policies that reduce local pharmacy access lead to poorer health outcomes, ultimately resulting in increased future healthcare costs,” the associations wrote to President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI), and House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

The letter highlighted:

  • the accessibility of pharmacists;
  • their role in boosting medication adherence, which relates to taking medications as prescribed;
  • the importance of maintaining patients’ choice of pharmacies;
  • the importance of assuring fair and accurate Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement, according to average manufacturer price (AMP)-based federal upper limits (FULs) that were enacted in the Affordable Care Act; and
  • opportunities to build on pharmacists’ vaccination success story by improving patient access to pharmacist services for underserved Medicare beneficiaries.

“Nearly all Americans (91%) live within five miles of a community pharmacy. As Americans’ most convenient and accessible healthcare provider, we look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid patients can continue to receive cost-effective pharmacy services. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, pharmacists have expanded their role by collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to meet patients’ needs,” the associations wrote.

While noting the opportunities that exist in newer pharmacist-provided services, the associations emphasized that jeopardizing pharmacy access for medication services threatens health outcomes and healthcare affordability.

The associations explained, “The importance of medication-related services and maintaining access to community pharmacists for the Medicare and Medicaid populations cannot be overstated. Improving medication adherence can help Congress achieve its goals of better managing care for Medicare and [ READ MORE ]

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Medicaid AMP: Vigilance Continues

2016-04-27T14:25:57-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: , , |

Ever since the Federal Register published the final Covered Outpatient Drugs Final Rule (which directs pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement according to the average manufacturer price, or “AMP,” model) on January 21, 2016, NACDS has been evaluating the rule and determining appropriate actions.

The rule and its implementation must be viewed through the lens of its effects on patients’ access to vital medications and pharmacy services.

NACDS has done so according to two key principles that have guided the Association’s actions over nearly a decade related to this issue: that NACDS operates as a member-centric trade association, and that the rule and its implementation must be viewed through the lens of its effects on patients’ access to vital medications and pharmacy services. That was the spirit of NACDS’ initial statement on the final rule posted on January 21, the timeline of this issue’s decade-long history, the update that we provided on our consideration of the final rule, and various analytical and informational resources that we have provided along the way.

Having discussed the final rule extensively with the NACDS Policy Council, the NACDS Executive Committee and the NACDS Board of Directors – as well as with diverse NACDS members at the NACDS Regional Chain Conference and NACDS Annual Meeting – we wanted to provide an update on where we stand at this point on an issue that will continue to play out during the rule’s implementation.

First, it is clear that one of NACDS’ top priorities must be to actively monitor and analyze the implementation of the rule – including actions by state governments and by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As states make legislative and regulatory changes in light of the final rule – to implement AMP-based federal upper limits (FULs), cost-based reimbursement for brands, and professional dispensing fee reimbursement – and as CMS considers related state plan amendments, vigilance will be essential to ensure these changes are conducive to patient access. As a result of advocacy by NACDS and the National Community Pharmacists Association, the final rule includes important provisions related to drug reimbursement and professional dispensing fees and it will be [ READ MORE ]

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NACDS Takes Policy Priorities to Governors of All 50 States Urges pro-patient, pro-pharmacy agenda amid any changes to ACA, Medicare, Medicaid

2015-12-21T12:55:38-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: , , , , |

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has sent a letter to the governors of all 50 states, urging pharmacy patient care as a top priority in any changes to healthcare policy in 2017 and beyond. The most recent letters continue NACDS’ pro-patient, pro-pharmacy drumbeat to federal and state government decision-makers as healthcare policy seems to be approaching a major crossroads in the coming months.

As you engage with the incoming Trump Administration and prepare for the upcoming 115th Congress and potential healthcare reforms, we ask that you consider the value of community pharmacy in your efforts to provide improved quality of care at lower overall healthcare costs.

“As you engage with the incoming Trump Administration and prepare for the upcoming 115th Congress and potential healthcare reforms, we ask that you consider the value of community pharmacy in your efforts to provide improved quality of care at lower overall healthcare costs,” NACDS wrote.

“Particularly with respect to healthcare markets and state Medicaid programs, policies that reduce local pharmacy access lead to poorer health outcomes, ultimately resulting in increased future healthcare costs. We believe you should consider policy proposals that, at a minimum, ensure that beneficiary access to community pharmacies is protected. Moreover, as you consider options to improve overall healthcare delivery, we remind you that community pharmacies are fully equipped to provide better care at a lower cost and stand ready to assist. We hope that you will let the incoming Administration and Congress know of the importance of protecting pharmacy services in Medicaid and Medicare as they consider healthcare reform proposals.”

NACDS noted a National Governors Association report, titled “The Expanding Role of Pharmacists in a Transformed Health Care System,” that described opportunities for pharmacists to help improve healthcare through an expansion of their role in collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers to meet patients’ needs.

To capitalize on these opportunities, NACDS urged enhancements to pharmacists’ scope of practice and the importance of federal legislation – the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act – that would improve access for to pharmacist-provided services in Medicare. NACDS also urged proper implementation of the pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement provisions of [ READ MORE ]

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NACDS represents traditional drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate over 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS’ member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies. Chains employ nearly 3 million individuals, including 155,000 pharmacists. They fill over 3 billion prescriptions yearly, and help patients use medicines correctly and safely, while offering innovative services that improve patient health and healthcare affordability. NACDS members also include more than 900 supplier partners and over 70 international members representing 21 countries.

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