Coster joins independent Rx team to spearhead government affairs, policy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. Retail pharmacy and policy veteran John Coster has joined the National Community Pharmacists Association as SVP government affairs, succeeding Charlie Sewell. His appointment to the independent pharmacy organization is effective immediately.

Coster, a licensed pharmacist and vocal advocate for the profession, is well known to pharmacy stakeholders and to policymaking staffs on Capitol Hill. He last served as VP federal affairs and public policy for Rite Aid Corp., and prior to that was the high-profile VP policy and programs for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Coster has also worked for former Senator David Pryor, D-Ark., and on the staff of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and within the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. He also served on the Task Force on Health Care Reform during the Clinton Administration. 

NCPA EVP and CEO Bruce Roberts praised Coster as a well-respected expert in pharmacy and public policy. “As a pharmacist himself, with extensive legislative and policy experience, John will be an outstanding addition to the NCPA team. We are pleased that a pharmacist will be a strong voice for community pharmacy on Capitol Hill and in the regulatory agencies,” said Roberts. 

Added NCPA president Holly Henry, “I look forward to having John Coster represent community pharmacy for NCPA in Washington, D.C. John’s expertise will give community pharmacy the competitive advantage it needs to be part of the overall health care dialogue.” 

Coster, who earned a degree in pharmacy from St. John’s University in New York, and his Masters and Ph.D. in Policy Sciences with a concentration in health from the University of Maryland Graduate School, remains a licensed pharmacist in New York, Maryland and Virginia.