Annual NACDS event will bring healthcare issues to light

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — As one retail pharmacy executive put it, "many members of Congress only experience the pharmacy industry through their eyes as a patient." Thanks to NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, however, that no longer has to be the case.

(THE NEWS: NACDS RxImpact Day 2011 takes aim at new lawmakers. For the full story, click here)

RxImpact brings hundreds of advocates from across the nation to Washington, D.C., to educate members of Congress on the key role that retail pharmacy plays in the U.S. healthcare system, and it delivers a powerful message about the link between pharmacy services and the health improvements and cost savings that occur when patients take their medications as directed by a physician.

There's no doubt that NACDS RxImpact Day is an important event for the industry, as involvement demonstrates dedication to advancing pharmacy and quality patient services. The more community pharmacy participates in RxImpact Day, the more Congress will understand pharmacy and its position on vital health policy issues.

With medication nonadherence-related costs weighing heavily on the already-strained U.S. healthcare system, and 112 new members in Congress, one could argue that it couldn't be a more critical time for pharmacy leaders to take advantage of the event.

According to NACDS, citing data from the New England Healthcare Institute, it is estimated that $290 billion are spent each year due to medication nonadherence. This amount — which accounts for 13% of all healthcare expenditures — includes such preventable and more expensive forms of care as physician appointments and emergency room visits.