Health on the National Mall shows D.C. the capabilities of community pharmacy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local residents, tourists and attendees of Cardinal Health’s annual Retail Business Conference battled the heat and gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to enjoy the Health on the National Mall event, co-sponsored by Cardinal Health and the National Community Pharmacists Association.
Health on the National Mall is part of Cardinal Health’s annual RBC, which this year expects to welcome nearly 8,000 attendees. This year’s RBC theme, “Leading Change,” is not only an apt description of the critical role community pharmacists can play in improving today’s fast-changing healthcare environment, but it also tied in perfectly with the activities at the Health on the National Mall event.
Held in the shadow of the Capitol Building, the affair showcased the expanding role pharmacists are playing in improving patient care.
“We wanted to take advantage of being in Washington, D.C., to show the value of community pharmacy as a health coach, advocate and counselor for patients, especially going forward in a consumer-driven healthcare environment,” Ron Clerico, Cardinal Health’s VP of marketing strategies and solutions at Cardinal Health, told Drug Store News. “That was the goal, and being able to do it in Washington, D.C., where there’s exposure to legislators to really see the value of pharmacists as healthcare providers.”
Clerico said that this was the first year for such an event, an idea born out of a desire to make a positive statement about the power and capabilities of community pharmacy.
The free event, held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., was an upbeat, family-friendly affair, featuring music and entertainment, free educational materials, healthy snacks and water. Tents were staffed by about 20 volunteer community pharmacists who shared practical insights into how patients can better manage common health issues and chronic conditions, ranging from asthma and diabetes to heart health and weight management. In addition, about 400 kids from Camp Cardinal Health attended the event to take part in exercise activities and face painting.
“We are pleased, on behalf of the National Community Pharmacists Association, to partner with Cardinal Health on this event. Community pharmacists are on the front lines of healthcare delivery, and by virtue of the fact that we are on the National Mall today, letting the general public know all of the various components of medical care that are provided not only through their physicians and their medical providers, but with the pharmacist who is dispensing their medications, giving them advice in terms of those medications. So, this is just a fabulous event to get out here and show people exactly what is happening out there on the front lines of healthcare delivery,” Steve Pfister, SVP Government Affairs of NCPA, told Drug Store News.
NCPA is again urging Congress to enact H.R. 4190 to expand recognition of pharmacists as providers and to expand Medicare coverage of pharmacist-delivered healthcare services in medically underserved areas.