NCPA endorses S. 1190

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association has expressed its endorsement of The Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, S. 1190, which was introduced Tuesday by Senators Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.



By expanding the number of pharmacies that may be able to offer discounted co-pays for Medicare Part D prescription drugs, the legislation would empower more seniors to choose the pharmacy that best fits their needs, NCPA stated.



Medicare beneficiaries in medically underserved areas would be able to access lower co-pays at "any willing pharmacy" that agrees to accept a drug plan's "preferred pharmacy" terms and conditions. S. 1190 is a companion bill to H.R. 793, The Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, which has been introduced by Reps. Morgan Griffin, R-Va., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.



"We now have a bipartisan, bicameral solution to the conundrum many seniors face when they sign up for Medicare Part D preferred pharmacy plans before realizing their pharmacy of choice cannot offer the advertised co-pays," stated NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey. "Medicare beneficiaries should not be confronted with the Hobson's choice of continuing to patronize their pharmacy at a higher cost or making a long trip to another pharmacy. We commend these Senators for their leadership on this issue and strongly support this legislation which, if enacted, would benefit seniors the most."



The Alliance for Retired Americans, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Families USA, Justice in Aging, the Medicare Rights Center, the National Consumers League, the National Rural Health Association, and the U.S. Pain Foundation have already endorsed S. 1190.