Pharmacists call for pro-pharmacist, pro-patient laws at NCPA summit

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association recently completed its 2016 Congressional Pharmacy Summit, which took place May 24 and 25 just outside Washington, D.C. and drew more than 300 independent community pharmacists. 

 

The event featured remarks from NCPA executives and a member of Congress, as well as panel discussions, updates on the current legislative and regulatory agenda and more than 600 visits to Capitol Hill to call on more than 250 representatives and senators to support patient- and pharmacist-friendly legislation. 

 

“The vital role independent community pharmacists play in improving patient outcomes and reducing overall spending is being undermined by pressing concerns in the marketplace that negatively affect pharmacists,” NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey said. “In response, these clinically-trained medication experts have flocked to our nation's capital for the NCPA 2016 Congressional Pharmacy Summit this week to engage in vigorous, informative advocacy with members of Congress and their staff.”

 

Attendees who visited congress did so to discuss the MAC Transparency Act, which calls for greater transparency for generics reimbursements; to push for the include of an “any willing pharmacy” provision in the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, which would allow pharmacies in medically underserved areas to served Medicare Part D beneficiaries as long as the pharmacy accepts the plan’s terms; and to call for increased Medicare beneficiary access to pharmacist services by amending Medicare Part B to recognize pharmacists as health care providers. 

 

Besides remarks from Hoey, NCPA president Bradley Arthur and NCPA SVP government affairs Steve Pfister, the event featured a media conference call with Hoey and Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga. and himself a community pharmacist, and an award ceremony where Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers was presented with a “Friend of Pharmacy Award” for her work in Congress. Additionally, attendees engaged in virtual pharmacy advocacy, calling and writing representatives and senators using NCPA’s online grassroots platform. 

 

“Early reports from our members about their visits to the Hill are encouraging,” Hoey said. “The compelling message of greater accountability and transparency for PBM corporations and allowing independent community pharmacies to participate on equal footing in Medicare Part D seems to be resonating. By leveling the playing field for these trusted local health care providers, it is the patient that will benefit the most.”