Pharmacists get their message across during RxIMPACT Day

Pharmacists and pharmacy advocates conducted more than 350 meetings with U.S. senators and representatives on Capitol Hill last week during RxIMPACT Day, sponsored by the National Association of Community Drug Stores (NACDS).

Pharmacy students, pharmacists, and others met with 86% of the Congressional members who serve on committees with jurisdiction on healthcare issues.

 “The overwhelming support by pharmacy advocates – both in person in Washington, D.C., and via electronic communications from across the country – demonstrated the focus and urgency of telling the story of community pharmacy to lawmakers, and drawing important distinctions on key pro-patient, pro-pharmacy issues,” Stephen Anderson, NACDS president and CEO, said in a news release.

The pharmacy advocates urged lawmakers to oppose the Express Scripts and Medco merger, provide increased access to medication therapy management (MTM) services, maintain pharmacy choice and access in the TRICARE program, and ensure fair and adequate pharmacy reimbursement in federal healthcare programs.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy in Richmond, Va., won the NACDS RxIMPACT “U” Advocacy Award. The annual award is presented to pharmacy school students and campuses that are actively engaged in pro-patient and pro-pharmacy grassroots advocacy.

VCU received the $2,500 award because 60 students and 9 faculty members have been engaged in pharmacy advocacy throughout the year, according to NACDS. In addition, VCU pharmacy students provided health screenings to the legislators and their staffs during RxIMPACT Day.