Industry Advocacy

LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Independent Pharmacy Day celebrates the contributions of independent pharmacists in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient care. Health Mart and American Pharmacy Cooperative have invited Florida legislators to visit pharmacies across Florida on Oct. 27 to highlight independent pharmacy’s unique contributions and impact on healthcare in communities around the state.

SUN PRAIRIE, Wisc. — The Independent Pharmacy Cooperative’s government relations team, alongside board members, recently took to the nation’s capital to discuss issues affecting independent pharmacy with legislators. The team scheduled meetings with more than 25 legislators from more than 10 states.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Healthcare organizations AmerisourceBergen, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Pfizer and Prime Therapeutics on Tuesday joined Walgreens to combat the national opioid abuse crisis by expanding the availability of safe medication disposal kiosks to an additional 900 Walgreens stores near military bases and other areas where the opioid epidemic has challenged communities.

When the expansion is complete, kiosks will be available in approximately 1,500 Walgreens stores nationwide.

WASHINGTON — Earlier this week several Congress leaders introduced HR 3841, the SNAP Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act of 2017, which allows for the inclusion of a multivitamin under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Retroactive pharmacy payment reductions, a portion of direct and indirect remuneration fees, could cost the federal government $3.4 billion between 2018 and 2027. That’s according to a new study from Wakely Consulting Firm that the National Community Pharmacists Association commissioned and whose results it shared Thursday.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Alliance will be retaining Cardinal Health pharmaceutical segment CEO as its board chairman. The organization on Tuesday announced Jon Giacomin’s re-election to the position he has served in since 2016. Also continuing in his position on the board is vice chairman Henry Dale Smith, Jr., who is chairman and CEO of Smith Holding Co.

OMAHA, Neb. – Mike Agostino, president of Amber Pharmacy and Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions, has been awarded the 2017 Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

“Nobody works as tirelessly as Mike when it comes to doing what’s right for our patients,” stated Micaila Ruiz, chief pharmacy officer Amber Pharmacy. “He has the ability to instill his mission of patient-centered care with everyone he meets, whether it’s a member of Congress in Washington, D.C., or a member of our staff.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Global Market Development Center recently announced the top 10 rated products and merchandising displays showcased at their 2017 Health Beauty Wellness Marketing Conference. The event, which brought more than 200 retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and service companies together to discover the latest products and trends, includes an annual Showcase where participants select the brands they believe are the most innovative and will spark the greatest consumer demand.