Pharmacy groups launch public health consortium

By HME News Staff
Updated 12:37 PM CST, Thu January 16, 2025
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association’s Innovation Center has formed the Independent Community Pharmacy Consortium for Government Engagement, bringing together pharmacy services administrative organizations, wholesale distributors and pharmacy management system vendors to streamline the engagement of community pharmacies in public health initiatives.
The NCPA says the consortium will facilitate swift and efficient cooperation between public health agencies and the nation’s nearly 19,000 independent community pharmacies, ensuring access to health care, pharmacy, and public health services for the most vulnerable populations in both rural and urban settings.
“Our independent community pharmacies are an indispensable part of the health care and public health infrastructure, providing essential services to those who need them most,” said NCPA Innovation Center President Kurt Proctor. “Through this innovative partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to the nation’s readiness by ensuring that we can rapidly respond as a sector when the need arises.”
The founding members of the consortium are AlignRx, Cardinal Health, Cencora, Epic, McKesson, and Pharmacy First.
The NCPA says the entities involved in the consortium will support and coordinate the response of their affiliated pharmacies, playing a pivotal role in the overarching public health response to emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is expected to improve the ability of independent pharmacies to serve their communities effectively during these emergencies, while offering an “easy button” for government organization coordination.
For more information about the consortium and its activities, please visit www.ncpa.org/consortium
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