Dialed into real health reform

This month, DSN published the fifth edition of RxImpact, a special stand-alone report that we produce to help educate lawmakers about the ever-expanding role community pharmacy plays in our nation’s healthcare system. The issues are stuffed into kits that National Association of Chain Drug Store members leave behind with members of Congress during desk-side meetings that are organized by NACDS. In addition, DSN ensures that every member of the Senate and the House of Representatives — and key House staffers — is hand-delivered a copy of RxImpact. Why? We want them to understand your story.



Here is how we framed it for them; following is the column I wrote for this year’s edition:



This year makes 19 years for me as the editor of Drug Store News. Looking back on it all, I have seen a lot change. In many ways, it reminds me of a series of TV commercials that was popular back then — AT&T’s “You Will” ads. Remember those?



“Have you ever borrowed a book from 1,000 miles away,” the voice of Tom Selleck asked. “Have you ever crossed the country without stopping for directions? ... You will.”



Today, e-books and GPS are pretty common; but 20 years ago they seemed like science fiction.



The comparisons to the transformation of community pharmacy over that period are remarkable.



Back then, it would have been impossible to imagine getting a flu shot from a pharmacist because pharmacists were not licensed to do so anywhere in the United States. Today, pharmacists in all 50 states can administer flu shots and at least two other vaccinations.



Back then, it would have been hard to imagine being able to receive 80% of your primary care needs in a community pharmacy setting — the retail clinic was very much still just a concept on a dry-erase board. Today, there are more than 2,000 retail clinics in operation, with many more expected in the years ahead.



As the editor of DSN, I have seen the drug store re-emerge not just as a place that dispenses prescriptions, but as the center of health care in neighborhoods all across America.



I frequently tell people that if they could see what I see, if they could see how community pharmacy, in so many examples, is leading the way on lowering healthcare costs, expanding patient access and driving better health outcomes, they would have a pretty good sense of how to fix health care.



Like those AT&T commercials, you may not have thought about what community pharmacy could do to help fix health care. But when you read this, you will.



The digital version of RxImpact is available at DrugStoreNews.com/DigitalEditions. When anyone wants to know more about what community pharmacy can do — and is doing — to improve health care, give them a copy.