Tag: Community Pharmacy

WASHINGTON – Sens. John Thune, R.-S.D., and Mark Warner, D-Va., have introduced the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure seniors can continue to access certain clinical services from their pharmacist. The bill would allow Medicare to reimburse for certain pharmacist-administered tests, treatments and vaccinations for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and strep throat, in accordance with state scope-of-practice laws....

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has released the second episode of “Show Me,” a reality series styled after popular TV makeover shows, only the stars are real pharmacists who need help getting a certain aspect of their business on track. This episode takes place in Wagoner, Okla., where pharmacist Steve Nicholas is looking for help start a vaccine program from the ground up at the 50-year-old Rogers Drug Company. “Show Me” coach...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has announced the keynote speakers for its 2022 Annual Convention, set for Oct. 1-4 in Kansas City, Mo. The theme for this year’s convention is “Team Up! Where Teamwork Makes It All Work.” Mike Abrashoff, former commander of the USS Benfold and author of three books, is scheduled to speak during the First General Session on Sunday, Oct. 2. Abrashoff was the most-junior officer in the Pacific Fleet when he took...

NELIGH, Neb. – Kubat Healthcare has acquired Hilltop Drugs Etc., in Neligh, Neb., further expanding its commitment to local care.  Founded in October 2008 by co-founder and current Pharmacist-In-Charge Jami Schmidt, Hilltop Drugs is a community pharmacy providing personalized pharmacy and health care services. In 2019, Schmidt and her business partner sold to Mark Vogt.  "When I started Hilltop Drugs in 2008, I wanted to provide the community with exceptional pharmacy solutions,"...

WASHINGTON – The National Community Pharmacists Association criticized the Federal Trade Commission after it deadlocked on a vote to investigate pharmacy benefit managers.  “Two members of the FTC just let the worst actors in the market off the hook. After hearing hours of testimony by community pharmacists and patients, all of whom painted the same shocking picture about PBM abuse, and not a single witness there to defend the PBM industry, it is inexplicable that two members...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Community pharmacies are losing money dispensing new oral antiviral medicines based on the low fees paid by health insurance companies, writes the National Community Pharmacists Association in a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “NCPA asks for immediate intervention before these pharmacies are forced to stop dispensing the oral antiviral drugs because they can’t justify the cost to their business,” wrote B. Douglas Hoey, CEO of NCPA. Pharmacies...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Four pharmacy groups, including the National Community Pharmacists Association, filed a court brief this week in support of a Louisiana law requiring pharmacy benefit managers administering Medicare Part D plans to reimburse pharmacies a 10-cent provider fee.  The case, Louisiana Independent Pharmacists Association v. Express Scripts, is the first test of a recent decision by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals that allows North Dakota and other states in the jurisdiction...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Pharmacist Michele Belcher was installed as 2021-22 president of the National Community Pharmacists Association at the organization’s 2021 Annual Convention, held Oct. 9-12.  Belcher, of Grants Pass Pharmacy in Grants Pass, Ore., is active in her state pharmacy coalition and state association and has served on task force groups for the board of pharmacy. She has been an adviser for the entrepreneurial academy at OSU College of Pharmacy and is active in state legislation,...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Doug Hoey has been elected as president of the World Pharmacy Council, an international group with a mission of building international recognition of community pharmacy and its role, policies and value. “Community pharmacies in many countries have been integral to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hoey. “I am humbled to be elected by my international colleagues to promote the work pharmacists are doing around the world to improve quality of care,...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – B. Douglas Hoey, the CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association, participated in a roundtable discussion with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and leaders of several other provider organizations to discuss the expanding role of community pharmacies in health care.  Hoey discussed four priorities for independent pharmacists:  Eliminating retroactive price concessions, known as pharmacy DIR fees, which are imposed on pharmacies by...