Industry Advocacy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday requested Congressional hearings on legislation, the Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act (S. 413 and H.R. 1038), that would stop the practice of pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees being applied retroactively under Medicare Part D.

WASHINGTON — Michael McBurney, VP science, communications and advocacy of DSM Nutritional Products last week addressed a crowd of more than 50 congressional staffers and guests on the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in the United States as part of the Dietary Supplement Caucus luncheon briefing. He also introduced the idea of “hidden hunger,” the tendency of Americans to experience a lack of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, potentially leading to mental impairment, poor health and decreased productivity.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee gave a thumb’s-up early Thursday to legislation in an effort to repeal and replace a major part of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans on the panel passed the legislation after 4 a.m. approximately 18 hours after they worked on the project, according to media reports.

Twenty years ago this month, I put on what was then my “lucky” tie, this horrible, neon yellow number from Banana Republic — it wore more like a bad Hawaiian shirt than a tie — and I started a new job as senior editor for OTCs and natural health at Drug Store News.

Sure, I have a lot less hair today than I did then, but I also have much better taste in ties.

WASHINGTON — Reps. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., both members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the DXM Abuse Prevention Act on Thursday in a bipartisan effort to prevent teen abuse of over-the-counter cough medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, commonly referred to the DXM.

The bill would establish a national age-18 requirement for the purchase of the medicines containing DXM. Over the past several years,12 states have addressed this issue by passing similar legislation.

WASHINGTON — Reps. Doug Collins, R-Ga., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, on Thursday introduced H.R. 1316, the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, to protect taxpayers and the community pharmacists who serve them by requiring greater transparency from pharmacy benefit managers.

TORONTO — The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association elected Larry MacGirr, chief operating officer of Pharmascience, as chair of CGPA, and Doug Sommerville, SVP and GM of Teva Canada, as vice chair of CGPA.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was among more than 200 members of the Americans for Affordable Products coalition that drafted a letter to bipartisan leadership opposing the Border Adjustment Tax.