NACDS further bolsters government affairs team with new public health policy expert

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced the hiring of Deepti A. Loharikar as director, federal and state public policy.  



Loharikar joined NACDS on May 11.  She will report to Kevin Nicholson, VP, public affairs and regulatory affairs.



In her role at NACDS, Loharikar will provide policy expertise on pharmacy issues at the state and federal levels. She will serve as the public policy expert on drug and patient safety, Internet pharmacies, consumer drug safety initiatives and related issues, providing policy analysis on proposed and enacted legislation and regulations. Loharikar will also prepare and deliver testimony and regulatory comments, and develop other advocacy materials in support of key issues that impact chain pharmacy.



“No stranger to the intersection of law and public health policy, Deepti brings a wealth of experience to her position at NACDS,” state NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson.  “Deepti’s expertise in health policy, combined with her legal background, makes her an effective legislative and regulatory advocate for chain pharmacy.  We welcome her to NACDS’ already highly-talented government affairs team.”



Loharikar comes to NACDS from the Department of Health and Human Services where she oversaw the development and implementation of long-term strategies for the consumer-oriented and operated plan (CO-OP) insurance program. In addition, she previously served as a health policy analyst for the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy at HHS. Prior to her work for the federal government, Loharikar practiced law at a law firm in New Jersey and with the Department of Justice Washington, D.C.