Sen. Baucus honored by NACDS as Pharmacy Great Communicator
ALEXANDRIA, Va. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has named Senator and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus, D-Mont., a “Pharmacy Great Communicator” for his work to help ensure patient access to medications and fair reimbursement for pharmacies.
Baucus has introduced several crucial bills to the Senate, including the Fair Medicaid Drug Payment Act (S. 1951), the Pharmacy Access Improvement Act (S. 1954) and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (S. 3101). Discussing S. 3101 before the Senate on June 11, Baucus expressed his support for pharmacies and the role they play in patient care. “Pharmacies are an integral part of the health care infrastructure in America,” Baucus stated. “Prescription drugs play a huge role in medical treatment, and many people see their pharmacists more regularly than their physicians.”
The Pharmacy Great Communicator program was created to honor those who publicly highlight the value of community pharmacy. “Pharmacies are the face of neighborhood healthcare, and your comments highlight the importance of maintaining patient-pharmacist relationships,” said NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson, in a letter to Sen. Baucus. “We applaud you for your recognition of pharmacists and your support of quality healthcare.”
Past honorees include Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., for his work to combat illegal Internet pharmacies and the American Association of Retired Persons, for a poll published in the AARP Bulletin, which showed that pharmacists received outstanding “favorable” ratings among those surveyed. News & Observer reporter Sabine Volmer in Raleigh, N.C., was honored for her Dec. 21 article, “Personal service at your pharmacy; More stores stress the role druggists can play in helping customers get and stay healthy,” and NACDS’ own Mary Ann Wagner was named a Pharmacy Great Communicator in January in recognition of her contributions as a spokeswoman for chain pharmacy.