A look back reveals pharmacy’s strides forward

Steve Anderson, IOM, CAE, NACDS President and CEO

It is amazing how a 2008 initiative has marked pharmacy’s progress in helping to improve access to high-quality, cost-effective patient care.



Eight years ago, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and allied organizations released a document entitled “Project Destiny,” which sought to facilitate pharmacy’s healthcare services beyond medications. The document stated: “Pharmacists ... are well suited for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication outcomes and can contribute to the lowering of overall healthcare costs. ... ‘Project Destiny’ has identified potential mechanisms for offering services to patients that are valued by the healthcare system which can be replicable, scalable and economically viable for community pharmacy.”



Since that time, NACDS members have made tremendous strides in innovating healthcare delivery. Along the way, we have seen examples of how federal and state policies can help foster these improvements, or threaten them.



Vaccinations present one example among many of how to leverage pharmacy’s value. At the federal level, health authorities have lauded pharmacies as critical vaccination access points during flu outbreaks. The military’s TRICARE program hails the success of its pharmacy-based vaccination program. At the state level, it is notable that in 2009 pharmacists gained the ability to administer the flu vaccine in all 50 states — when Maine took that step. Just last year, Georgia became the 50th state in which pharmacists can provide at least three vaccines.



Still, examples abound of the need to work continuously at the federal and state levels to preserve patients’ choice of pharmacies in Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE to meet their medication needs. NACDS members look forward to talking with U.S. Senators and Representatives about these challenges.



In many ways, this special edition of Drug Store News — which is being circulated during NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill — provides a kind of update on “Project Destiny” and the story of pharmacy patient care’s evolution. It is up to all of us to ensure the positive story continues to unfold for the ultimate good of patients nationwide.

To see the full report, click here.