NACDS, NCPA express support for Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association announced on Friday that they have issued a letter to Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., expressing pharmacy's support for H.R. 1092, the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, which would help preserve Tricare beneficiaries' access to pharmacy-based healthcare services.

The bill, introduced by Jones, prohibits increases to retail pharmacy co-payments.

"We understand the burden of rising health costs and the need to control spending in the military healthcare system," stated NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson and NCPA EVP and CEO Douglas Hoey in the joint letter. "However, we do not support efforts to modify pharmacy co-payments to further encourage the use of mail order."

NACDS and NCPA indicated they have long supported efforts to preserve access to pharmacy services for Tricare beneficiaries and their families. The groups also have worked with Congress, the Department of Defense and the administration to enhance such pharmacy-based Tricare services as expanding access to immunizations, which can help improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs.

"We offer our assistance in developing policy options that control prescription drug spending, while at the same time allowing retail pharmacies the privilege of providing prescription drugs and services to our nation's military personnel," the letter concluded.