On Thursday, March 4, NACDS will hold a virtual version of the 13th Annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill. A total of 327 advocates from all 50 states will assemble – virtually – to hold nearly 480 Congressional remote meetings. Today, the NACDS Board of Directors will jumpstart the event with an ambitious schedule of Congressional meetings that will set the tone.
Of note, the ground-breaking event will include representation from 56% of all NACDS member companies (the highest representation in the history of the program), as well as participation from 19 NACDS Board Members, 25 colleges and schools of pharmacy and 16 state pharmacy associations.
The 2021 program will focus on educating Members of Congress on key pro-patient, pro-pharmacy priorities. NACDS will urge a legislative approach to maintaining and enhancing preparedness for the nation as it continues to address COVID-19.
NACDS also will urge direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee reform that is crucial for reducing seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs and for preserving pharmacy viability and access, and push for a crackdown on organized retail crime that is jeopardizing Americans’ safety and dealing an economic blow to retailers that causes ripple effects throughout the economy.
“This is always a high-energy event for the face of neighborhood healthcare in Washington, D.C. and we appreciate the extremely impressive engagement of pharmacy advocates at this crucial time for our nation,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson.
“Our annual RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill event started in 2009 – at the beginning of the H1N1 pandemic. Twelve years later, NACDS members again have risen to the challenge and proven their value to individuals, to communities and to the nation. It is particularly important that pharmacy is here right now to speak to the critical issue of pharmacy’s commitment and effectiveness in bringing speed and equity to the COVID-19 vaccination initiative. Getting these shots to arms in medically underserved areas, rural communities, and across all races – particularly those hardest hit by the pandemic – is a major focus for the Biden Administration, for the Congress, and for pharmacies.”
