Business groups throw support behind ‘Any Willing Pharmacy’ bill

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Associationnation announced Thursday that two business organizations, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) had written Congress in support of the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act. 

 

The bill, of which there is a version in the Senate and House of Representatives, looks to make it possible for Medicare beneficiaries to use the pharmacy of their choice in a medically underserved area if it is willing to accept Medicare’s contract terms. 

 

“We write to voice our support for legislation that would improve access to prescription drugs for seniors and help level the playing field for small business community pharmacies operating under Medicare,” the NFIB and NGA wrote. “In many rural and urban communities, independent pharmacies may be the sole option for residents to conveniently fill their prescriptions. These pharmacies also provide employment opportunities and greatly contribute to their local economies. Yet they are still denied the opportunity to accept ‘preferred’ pharmacy contracts.”

 

The support from the two groups is welcome new for the NCPA and CEO R. Douglas Hoey, who noted that Medicare officials have estimated that the legislation wouldn’t increase costs for the program and that 76% of voters polled by Penn Schoen Berland support the legislation. 

 

“It’s encouraging to see that support continues to grow for this bipartisan legislation to give seniors easier access to prescription medication at their pharmacy of choice,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. “We commend these business leaders for voicing their support for patients and the pharmacists who care for them. NCPA will continue to fight for a level playing field when it comes to exclusionary drug plans that undermine patient choice and health.”