NACDS RxIMPACT Day proves 'impactful' as hundreds of pharmacy advocates take Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — More than 350 pharmacy advocates from 44 states met with members of Congress during the seventh annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill on Thursday.



Pharmacy advocates conducted more than 450 meetings with members of Congress, meeting with every member of Congress who serves on a Congressional healthcare committee, and with every member of Congress who was newly elected in November 2014.



Prior to heading out to their meetings, NACDS presented its Congressional Leadership Award to House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky. NACDS recognized Guthrie for his sponsorship of legislation — both in this Congress (H.R. 592) and the last Congress (H.R. 4190) — that enables Medicare beneficiaries to access pharmacist-provided patient care services.



“Living up to its name, NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill is highly impactful,” stated NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. “Decisions on policies made in Washington influence patient care in pharmacies everyday across the nation.  This annual event is an important opportunity for pharmacy advocates to engage directly with lawmakers on pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies, and to further reinforce the recognition by lawmakers of the evolving role of pharmacy in patient care.”



This year’s NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill program included prominent speakers. Amy Walter, national editor of The Cook Political Report, delivered the keynote address during the Welcome Dinner on Wednesday evening, providing timely insights on the current political landscape and predictions leading up to the presidential election in 2016.



“Pharmacists are uniquely positioned in their expanded roles in the healthcare delivery system to help meet the healthcare needs of all Americans,” stated Anderson. “Pharmacy has an important part to play – working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and providers - in providing patient care for those in need.”



U.S. Senator John Tester, D-Mont., and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., also submitted official comments to the Congressional Record in support of their constituents and community pharmacy in lead-up to NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill.



Further emphasizing the pharmacy’s reach in local communities — including every congressional district — a print ad was published Thursday in the Capitol Hill publication Politico. The ad illustrates pharmacy’s role in improving patient health, and urges Members of Congress to conduct a pharmacy tour in their congressional districts.



In addition, an ad sponsored by the Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition — of which NACDS is a member — was published Thursday in key Capitol Hill publications, including The Hill, National Journal, Politico and Roll Call. The ad urges lawmakers to support the bipartisan bill the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act.  PAPCC is comprised of organizations representing patients, pharmacists, and pharmacies, as well as other interested stakeholders.