Pharmacy groups split over federal e-pedigree legislation

Pharmacy organizations are divided over whether to support new federal electronic pedigree legislation. The Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act of 2008 mandates national e-pedigree requirements. Recently, the start of a California e-pedigree rule was delayed from 2009 until 2011 (see page 74). The National Association of Chain Drug Stores urged Congress to "carefully review this legislation and refrain from mandating serialization, e-pedigrees, or track and trace requirements." The National Community Pharmacists Association, on the other hand, stated that it supported the "intent" of the bill, but insisted that the bill should include full funding of the costs of implementing the mandates. The Health Industry Distributors Association and the Healthcare Distribution Management Association issued statements offering their strong support for the legislation for creating a single, national pedigree standard.