NACDS' Anderson emphasizes deserving victory in recent policy wins

SAN DIEGO Steve Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, invoked Winston Churchill to emphasize three political imperatives necessary to elevate pharmacy’s stature as a political force, as part of his “State of the Association” remarks Monday morning.

“We cannot guarantee victory, but only deserve it,” Anderson said, quoting Churchill.

He emphasized political and legal victories for NACDS and other organizations, including the recent delay of cuts to Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements in California until at least Oct. 1, 2009.

The three political imperatives Anderson listed were creating a stronger political action committee for NACDS, enhancing grassroots outreach within the association’s staff structure and rallying member involvement in grassroots initiatives by extending the tagline, “Pharmacies. The face of neighborhood healthcare.”

“The challenge to ‘deserve victory’ is indeed ours,” Anderson said, in conclusion. ““We know that what we are fighting for improves lives and saves lives, and we know that there is no alternative than to commit our all to this calling.”