NCPA Launches ‘Your Neighbor’ Campaign to Spotlight Neighborhood Pharmacists

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), a coalition representing over 21,000 local pharmacies in the United States, has announced the launch of a national media campaign today that shines a spotlight on neighborhood pharmacists.¹

“Independent pharmacists are compounding hand sanitizer for first responders. They’re expanding their home delivery services. They’re counseling patients who are worried about the virus and need reliable information from someone they can trust,” said NCPA President Brian Caswell, owner of Wolkar Drug in Baxter Springs, Kansas, in a statement.¹

“They’re fighting for approvals to administer the tests, and as soon as the vaccine is ready, independent pharmacists will be first in line willing to immunize their patients and help the country get back to work,” he added.¹

The “Your Neighbor” campaign will showcase patient testimonials applauding their neighborhood pharmacists’ unshakable commitment to keeping their patients healthy and protected amidst the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.¹

In their press release, NCPA highlighted that neighborhood pharmacists are responsible for being the first and most frequent point of care for the majority of Americans, and serve their communities with a personal touch. In the face of COVID-19, neighborhood pharmacists have not only continued to embody this trusted role, but have also donned additional duties to help alleviate the swelling strain on the health care system.¹

Neighborhood pharmacies’ pledge to continue care has come at a cost. Last week, NCPA released the results of their survey, which reported that 88% of community pharmacy owners planned to apply for COVID-19 federal aid, including that from the CARES Act.²

NCPA has taken notice of the many sacrifices neighborhood pharmacists across the nation have made for their communities, and their campaign aims to shed light on these “unsung heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic.¹

“Fighting the pandemic is as much a personal obligation as it is a professional responsibility,” Caswell said. “This campaign is about connecting with Americans who are frustrated and worried, and letting them know that they can rely on their local, independent pharmacist for the best advice, the best expertise, and the kind of personal commitment that comes naturally to neighbors.”¹

References:

1. NCPA Launches National Campaign Honoring Pharmacists on the Front Lines of the Pandemic. News Release. NCPA; April 29, 2020. https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2020/04/29/ncpa-launches-national-campaign-honoring-pharmacists-front-lines. Accessed April 29, 2020.
2. Local Pharmacies Overwhelmingly Need Coronavirus Small Business Aid as Reimbursement and Cash Flow Decline. News Release. NCPA; April 20, 2020. https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2020/04/20/local-pharmacies-overwhelmingly-need-coronavirus-small-business. Accessed April 29, 2020.