NACDS applauds enactment of Iowa bill supporting patients’ access to essential pharmacist services
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is applauding the enactment of the modernization of Iowa’s Pharmacy Practice Act (House File 555), legislation that will help ensure patient access to healthcare services provided by pharmacists and pharmacies across the state. The measure was signed into law by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R), and will go into effect July 1, 2024.
Specifically, the Pharmacy Practice Act will implement a “standard of care” regulatory model and remove restrictions on pharmacy practice, so that Iowans maintain ready access to pharmacists’ full training and education. Importantly, the Iowa bill adds pharmacists to the list of “practitioners” in the state.
The Iowa Pharmacy Practice Act was previously modernized nearly 40 years ago, in 1986.
“NACDS commends Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Pharmacy Association and leadership of the Iowa General Assembly for their important work to modernize Iowa’s Pharmacy Practice Act, so that Iowa patients may continue to benefit from the essential services provided by their community pharmacists and pharmacies,” said Steve Anderson, president and CEO of NACDS. “During the recent public health emergency, pharmacies stepped up through regulatory flexibilities, allowing them to deliver a range of patient care services to the most vulnerable Americans. This new law will go a long way in helping to ensure continuity of care, and in supporting pharmacists as they work to deliver the quality and convenient healthcare services that Iowans deserve.”
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Pharmacies remain critical access points to needed care — existing within five miles of 90% of Americans. A recent poll commissioned by NACDS and conducted by Morning Consult found that 87% of adults in Iowa say it is very or somewhat easy to access pharmacies, ranking their accessibility the highest among healthcare destinations tested.
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