NCPA’s Hoey, HHS head Becerra discuss community pharmacy priorities

The National Community Pharmacists Association CEO Doug Hoey, participated in a roundtable discussion with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and leaders of several other provider organizations to discuss the industry’s expanding role in health care.

Hoey covered four major priorities for independent pharmacists:

• Eliminating retroactive price concessions known as pharmacy DIR fees, which are imposed on pharmacies by pharmacy benefit managers and have increased by 91,500% in recent years, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
• Making permanent the emergency COVID-19 authorities allowing pharmacists in every state to administer tests and vaccinations under Medicare and Medicaid;
• Maximizing Medicare Part D reporting requirements on pharmacy performance standards.
• Developing Medicare Part D plan guidance for medical-at-home pharmacy services, so long-term care pharmacy can deliver the same type of in-home services that they currently deliver to nursing home patients. 

“We are grateful to Sec. Becerra for reaching out and starting a dialogue. As a member of Congress and as California’s Attorney General he was responsive to our members’ concerns, and we are pleased he is bringing the same openness to the Department of Health and Human Services. America’s 21,000 independent pharmacies have distinguished themselves during the COVID emergency as a crucial part of the national health care infrastructure. We look forward to working with Sec. Becerra and the administration to strengthen community pharmacy,” said Hoey.