Berry honored as ‘pharmacy great communicator’

ALEXANDRIA, Va. Arkansas Democratic Rep. Marion Berry was honored as a “Pharmacy Great Communicator” today by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores for his support of pharmacies.

Berry, the only current member of Congress to serve as a pharmacist, has long been known as an ardent champion of pharmacy’s interests. He is a frequent sponsor of pharmacy-friendly legislation, including new laws that speed Medicare reimbursements, postpone Medicaid reimbursement cuts and level the playing field for military prescription business under the TRICARE military health program.

Last week, Berry introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that recognizes October as “American Pharmacists Month.” The resolution, H.R. 1437, outlines the valuable role of pharmacists and states that “all people in the United States should join in celebrating our Nation's pharmacists for their contributions to the health and well-being of our citizens.”

The Pharmacy Great Communicator program was created to honor those who publicly highlight the value of pharmacy.

“We applaud Congressman Berry for his dedicated support of pharmacies,” said NACDS president and chief executive officer Steven Anderson. “As we celebrate the pharmacy profession next month, this resolution will remind members of Congress and their constituents that they only need to look as far as their local pharmacy to find the face of neighborhood health care.”