Tag: National Community Pharmacist Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Eighty percent of independent pharmacists are having trouble hiring for open positions, according to a new survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association.  What’s more, nearly 90% of survey respondents say they can’t find pharmacy technicians, a critical position.  “This is a major challenge for community pharmacies that are seeing many more patients because of the pandemic,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist. “Finding...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law legislation to reform pharmacy benefit managers. Tennessee SB1617/HB1398 prohibits PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies below their acquisition costs; addresses PBM conflicts of interest by prohibiting patient steering practices through coercive co-pays and other means; and prohibits spread pricing in the commercial market, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. “PBMs have exploded in size and in influence...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association supports legislation reintroduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., that would require the Federal Trade Commission to study the role and recent merger activity of pharmacy benefit managers, including possible anticompetitive behavior. S. 1388, the Prescription Pricing for People Act, will bring more transparency into health care by addressing high drug costs and patient challenges, says B. Douglas...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – More than 300 community pharmacists participated in the National Community Pharmacists Association’s 2021 Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, which was held virtually April 19-21. In visits with more than 250 Congressional offices, participants highlighted the contributions of independent pharmacies in the community’s fight against the coronavirus. They also urged Congress to finalize full pharmacy DIR fee reform that prohibits DIR clawbacks and standardizes...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association supports legislation that would give seniors more convenient access to discounted or “preferred” co-pays for prescription drugs at their pharmacy of choice. H.R. 2608, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, would also empower more seniors to choose the pharmacy that best fits their needs, promote transparency so that pharmacies have a clear understanding of their reimbursement, and tackle conflicts of...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has named five community pharmacies recipients of the NCPA Innovation Center for Excellence Awards for 2021. They are by category: COVID-19 Best External Modification – McCoy-Tygart Drug in Sheridan, Ark. COVID-19 Best Internal Remodel – Medi-Wise Pharmacy in Newcomerstown, Ohio Best Exterior Sign – Webb’s Family Pharmacy in Rochester, Ind. Best Delivery Vehicle – Happy Druggist in Mechanicsburg,...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A large majority of American adults prefer to get their prescription drugs from a local pharmacist instead of mail-order service because of their personal relationships with pharmacists, according to a new national survey released by the National Community Pharmacists Association. “Most Americans clearly are not willing to substitute personal care for the perception of convenience,” said B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, CEO of the NCPA. “When they need...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – More COVID-19 vaccine needs to be made available to local pharmacies to speed up the rate of vaccinations, says the National Community Pharmacists Association. Lack of vaccine supply has been an ongoing issue during the rollout. When given access, community pharmacies are able to quickly and efficiently vaccinate their patients, including those who are overlooked or hard to reach, the association says. “Independent pharmacists are located in communities of...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is partnering with state pharmacy associations to educate the public, patients and policymakers on the largely unknown role played by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, in raising drug costs, restricting patient access, and squashing local pharmacies, ultimately limiting consumer choices. “Access to pharmacies – essential businesses and health care providers – has never been more important than...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists have called on the country’s state governors to enlist independent long-term care pharmacies in their COVID-19 vaccination efforts by leveraging the new Federal Transfer Program, which allocates vaccines to independent pharmacies. In a joint letter to the National Governors Association, the two groups point to the bumpy rollout of vaccinations provided...