NCPA launches new Web site for patients, pharmacists

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) knows it would have more fighting power if it had an army of independent pharmacists and their customers behind it.

So NCPA recently launched Fight4Rx.org, a Web-based organization it hopes will help recruit 1,000 independent pharmacies and their customers. The site includes briefs on pharmacy patient issues, Medicare and healthcare news updates, and a video blog. The information will be used to keep patients informed about legal issues and news affecting independent pharmacies.

“We’re always looking for ways to get community support and to get our message to the community about why we need their help and why we are here to help them,” said Bruce Wood, RPh, owner of Dicks Pharmacy in Arthur, Ill. “I just don’t think that enough people understand what we’re trying to do for them or how difficult it is to continue doing these things.”

Wood said, he hopes Fight4Rx will provide his patients with organized information about what community pharmacies do for them and how patients can help. He also hopes his community gets in touch with legislators to help raise support for independent pharmacies.

That’s exactly what NCPA hopes to deliver, said Bruce Roberts, RPh, executive vice president and CEO of NCPA. Roberts said NCPA's goal is to create an online community that directs customers to share information and to spread the word about issues affecting independent pharmacies.

“A lot of times when we talk to members of Congress, we talk about how patients are impacted by their decision,” NCPA spokesman John Norton said. “A lot of times our message is about the patient. That’s why we’re ultimately enlisting the patients. They’re the people behind our concerns.”

Fight4Rx’s goal is to reach 50,000 patients of independent pharmacies by the end of the year.

To learn more about the organization, visit www.Fight4Rx.org.