NACDS: 2014 elections represent a win for pharmacy

ARLINGTON, Va. — The NACDS-PAC supported a majority of winners in Tuesday's elections, comprising 86% in Senate races and 93% in House races, Steven Anderson, president and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, said in a memo released Wednesday. 

 

"The bipartisan NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC) engaged in the 2014 elections at a record level," Anderson wrote. "NACDS-PAC made campaign contributions in about one-quarter of the races for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives — contributing to 107 House candidates. NACDS-PAC engaged in nearly 70% of the U.S. Senate races — contributing to 25 candidates in the 36 Senate elections that were held this cycle," he noted. "Disbursements to candidates increased by 42% compared with the 2010 cycle (the last mid-term, or non-Presidential-election year). Direct NACDS-PAC contributions and funds raised at NACDS-hosted events combined to make a $1.3 million impact in the 2014 elections.

 

"In the Senate, 19 candidates supported by NACDS-PAC won their races, three candidates lost and three campaigns were yet to be decided. In the House of Representatives, there were 99 victorious candidates supported by NACDS-PAC, seven candidates who lost and one campaign undecided.

 

"The NACDS-PAC 'winning percentage' proved strong — a remarkable feat given that many are ascribing the term 'wave election' to yesterday’s outcome," Anderson said. 

 

Of the more notable races, Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., won his election to the House of Representatives and is now the only pharmacist and pharmacy owner in the U.S. Congress, Anderson noted. "Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., won re-election and will serve as the Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. — a pharmacy champion — also won re-election. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich. — who has demonstrated tremendous leadership on issues such as the Drug Quality and Security Act — won with 55.8% of the vote. On the other hand, Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., lost her re-election bid. Sen. Hagan was a champion for pharmacy and was the original Senate sponsor of S. 557, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., also lost his re-election and was a leader on pharmacy issues."

 

Among the other wins, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who has a long history of support for pharmacy, will head the Senate Finance Committee. And Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., will lead the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. 

 

"In the Senate and House of Representatives combined, more than 60 newly elected members of Congress will take office in January," Anderson noted. "Reaching out to newly elected members of Congress and their returning colleagues will remain a priority of NACDS, and the involvement of NACDS member company representatives will be essential to this work."