NCPA, Roche Diagnostic team up with new online diabetic resource

ALEXANDRIA, Va. In an alliance with Roche Diagnostic, the National Community Pharmacists Association is giving its independent pharmacy members a new tool to expand their presence in the crucial market for diabetic care services and supplies.

NCPA has launched a new, online resource, dubbed the “Diabetes Supply Center,” through the organization’s Pharmacist e-Link. The Web site is designed to provide pharmacists with the information needed to serve patients with diabetes more effectively and make diabetic supplies a viable part of their business, according to the group.

The site helps pharmacists navigate the regulatory process for competitive bidding, accreditation or surety bonds, NCPA noted Monday. It also provides business tools, articles catering to pharmacists, news updates, expert opinion forums and a regular newsletter.

“Many independent community pharmacies are caught between the need to serve their patients with diabetes and navigating an excessive amount of government regulation and costs if they want to continue selling medical supplies such as diabetes testing strips,” said NCPA president Holly Whitcomb Henry. “NCPA is proud to partner with Roche Diagnostic to help community pharmacies better confront all of these challenges through the wide array of information found at the Diabetes Supply Center on Pharmacist e-Link.”

Added Luc Vierstraete, Head of Roche Diagnostic Care North America, ““The role of pharmacists continues to grow and evolve and Roche recognizes their important role in the health care community.”

An American Diabetes Association study in 2007 found 17.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in America at a cost of $174 billion. The average patient spends approximately $2,500 at community pharmacies for diabetes medications and supplies.

For more information, visit http://www.pharmacistelink.com/accu-chek/.