NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tour in Mississippi highlighted value, accessibility of pharmacy

Darren Herring, district director for House Armed Services Committee member U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), recently visited a Kroger in Tupelo, Miss., where he got a firsthand understanding of the vital role pharmacies continue to play in meeting the total health-and-wellness needs of Rep. Kelly’s constituents, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

The Kroger pharmacy team emphasized Mississippi pharmacies’ accessibility, particularly for those patients from rural communities surrounding Tupelo, noting especially how pharmacies are uniquely positioned to help ensure patients maintain ready access to COVID-19-related care services and day-to-day needs — such as COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, routine vaccinations, treatment for strep and flu, point-of-care testing, and screening for conditions, including hepatitis C, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

[Read more: NACDS receives ASAE's 2021 Power of A Gold Award]

NACDS said the discussion also included ways in which lawmakers can work to ensure Americans continue to benefit from these pharmacy-based services during public health emergencies and every day, including the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (HR 7213) and bipartisan legislation that would help improve patient access to consistent, timely and equitable pharmacist healthcare services.

The parties also discussed the TRICARE Pilot Program and DIR fee reform during the tour. Kroger pharmacy team members expressed appreciation for Rep. Kelly’s advancement of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act and its mandatory pilot program, which will test savings and beneficiary satisfaction of restoring full access to local pharmacies. They also lauded Rep. Kelly’s leadership on the ongoing issue of DIR fee reform and his recognition that more work must be done to help reduce seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs and preserve pharmacies’ viability.

[Read more: NACDS report highlights role local pharmacies, pharmacists play in patient-centered services]