NACDS kicks off first annual RxIMPACT Day
WASHINGTON More than 150 pharmacy advocates from more than 30 states, armed with personal stories about the critical role pharmacy plays in improving patient care and keeping healthcare costs down, conducted meetings with key lawmakers as part of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' inaugural RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill.
In addition to the efforts on the Hill Wednesday, NACDS is embarking on a grassroots letter-writing campaign to members of Congress. NACDS will reach out to more than 20,000 pharmacy advocates, including NACDS members, to encourage them to engage on healthcare reform with their respective elected officials in Washington.
“NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill is the cornerstone event of the association’s newly launched grassroots advocacy program," said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. "NACDS is pleased to welcome pharmacists and other industry advocates from across the country to Washington, D.C., [today]. Pharmacy is the face of neighborhood health care and provides convenient and accessible health care for patients in every state and congressional district. The timing of the healthcare reform debate could not afford a better opportunity for pharmacy to urge lawmakers to include pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies in those discussions.”
To further complement the Hill meetings, and to bolster healthcare reform messages, NACDS also took out a full-page, color advertisement in the Capitol Hill publication Roll Call. The ad provides an additional opportunity to show the value of pharmacies, and how they can help enhance healthcare quality, access and affordability.
Meanwhile, NACDS also bestowed Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., the NACDS Congressional Leadership Award for his commitment to the industry and for being an advocate for issues impacting pharmacy. NACDS instituted the annual award this year to honor a member of Congress who demonstrates leadership on pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policy issues. Rep. Ross was the keynote speaker at the event’s welcome dinner.
In response to the event, Drug Store News created a compilation of 10 stories from the print publication meant to profile what retail pharmacy is doing to lead healthcare reform, underwritten by PDX and Rx.com and titled “Community Pharmacy & Public Health: Profiles in Reform,” for members of the House and Senate. Drug Store News presented the guide for the first time at a special breakfast reception Wednesday, June 17, to kick-off the NACDS RxIMPACT Day.