NACDS RxIMPACT announces Grassroots Awards during 2021 virtual program

The NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots advocacy program announced several grassroots recognitions during the Virtual 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill opening program on Thursday, March 4.

This year, NACDS presented both the 2020 and 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact of the Year Awards, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which closed Capitol Hill offices.

Randy Edeker, president and CEO of Hy-Vee, who is a past NACDS chairman and current NACDS board of directors member, received the 2020 NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact of the Year Award. Lynne Fruth, president of Fruth Pharmacy and current NACDS board of directors member, earned the award for 2021. 

The Key Contact Award recognizes pharmacy advocates who actively engage with members of Congress on pro-pharmacy legislative priorities.

NACDS said Edeker distinguished himself through his commitment to raising awareness among members of Congress and the federal executive branch on the critical need for direct and indirect remuneration, or DIR, fee reform. Edeker has organized various pharmacy tours at Hy-Vee with national leaders, and the organization said Edeker’s passion for DIR free reform continues to inspire action among pharmacy advocates and key legislators alike.

Fruth was recognized for her dedication to serving as a voice of the industry and for consistently engaging with key federal and state legislators on critical pharmacy issues that directly impact pharmacy value and viability, such as DIR fee reform and 340B. For over a decade, NACDS said Fruth has actively participated in nearly 100 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill meetings and has led myriad congressional pharmacy tours at Fruth Pharmacy. Fruth and her team were recently recognized by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., for their dedication to getting COVID-19 vaccinations to West Virginia communities.

NACDS also presented the 2020 and 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Leader of the Year Awards — a recognition provided to entire companies.

Southeastern Grocers was presented with the 2020 NACDS RxIMPACT Leader of the Year Award. Over the past five years, the company has hosted nearly 10% of all in-district pharmacy tours through the NACDS RxIMPACT in-district activities program. During the last in-person NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill event in 2019, advocates from four Southeastern Grocers Capitol Hill-Day teams met with leaders from Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina, and nearly half of Florida’s congressional delegation.

Hannaford Bros. received the 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Leader of the Year Award. Hannaford Bros. has attended every NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill event for the past 12 years, coordinated numerous congressional pharmacy tours over the past decade and continues to grow the company’s advocacy teams to reach more Capitol Hill offices. The company was recognized for its dedication to mentoring future leaders in the industry — and particularly for promoting Capitol Hill Day participation among the company’s pharmacists of the year and student pharmacists from the University of New England College of Pharmacy.

The NACDS RxIMPACT program also recognized seven Pioneers who participated in this year’s event. The Pioneers attended the first NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill in 2009. The Pioneers who also participated in this year’s 13th anniversary event included:

• Ernest Boyd, executive director, Ohio Pharmacists Association;
• Ron Fitzwater, CEO, Missouri Pharmacy Association;
• Jack Holt, president, Hi-School Pharmacy Services;
• Bill Ladwig, senior vice president of professional services, Lewis Drug;
• Rebecca Lichucki, director of clinical services, MarkeTouch Media;
• Craig Painter, executive chairman of the board, Kinney Drugs; and
• Steve Anderson, president and CEO, NACDS.