NCPA, NGA join new coalition to support small businesses

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) joined the newly-formed Main Street Competition Coalition at a kick-off event in Washington, D.C., to rally small business organizations across the spectrum against big corporations that they say use their market dominance to squeeze out smaller competitors. The Main Street Competition Coalition is a nonpartisan coalition of independent businesses fighting to restore competitive markets across the economy. “Main Street Businesses are done being pushed around,” said Chris Jones, executive director of the new organization. “Small business is the backbone of the economy and the heart of the American dream. Unfortunately, the worst actors often have the loudest voice in Washington, D.C., and the resources to steamroll small businesses in court. That changes today.” NCPA and NGA are founding investors in the project. Both groups represent thousands of Main Street businesses that they say are often forced to defend themselves against what they call the unfair practices of vertically-integrated corporate giants. NGA represents independent grocers and affiliated businesses in an industry that it says is also dominated by corporate heavyweights. “NCPA spends most of its time fighting monopolistic corporations in the health care sector,” said B. Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO. “I would like you to know why broadening that fight across the economy is important to our members and small businesses everywhere, and why we are proud to partner with the National Grocers Association to launch the Main Street Competition Coalition. What we’re all up against is a familiar pattern: consolidation that concentrates decision-making far away from the communities affected; vertical integration that turns gatekeepers into competitors; and dominant firms that can dictate terms across a supply chain. When a handful of powerful players can pick winners and losers, the market stops being a market and it most certainly isn’t free.”

• Related: NCPA hits Hill, asking lawmakers to address PBM practices in gov’t programs.