Content about Bruce Roberts

CLEVELAND — More than 20,000 RxAlly member pharmacies — including independent pharmacies, regional chains and Walgreens — will begin accepting a new federally qualified Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, SmartD Rx, beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Developed by Smart Insurance Company with the input of pharmacists, SmartD Rx will be offered to beneficiaries for the first time this fall during Medicare’s open enrollment period. 

LEESBURG, Va. — RxAlly has expanded its national network to include nine independent pharmacy organizations and 10 regional chains.

RxAlly, which launched a little less than three months ago, has grown its membership by more than 2,000 pharmacies totaling over 22,000.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The natural affinity that has sprung up between independent pharmacy and the generic drug industry — both viewed as underdogs in the relentless fight for market position and profits: one versus powerful chain and big-box retailers, the other versus the far more entrenched and well-funded branded drug industry — was never more fully realized than it was at the end of October, when the National Community Pharmacists Association introduced its new top manager to its members at the group’s annual meeting.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Independent pharmacy’s toughest champion will soon be unlacing his gloves. Bruce Roberts, who has led the National Community Pharmacists Association with boundless energy and passion for nearly nine years, will step aside June 25. His exit will mark the closing of a remarkable chapter in the inspiring, hard-fought saga of independent drug store retailing.

(THE NEWS: Head of NCPA to step down. For the full story, click here)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Was the massive effort by the White House and congressional Democrats to overhaul the nation’s expensive and confusing healthcare system nothing more than a wasted, year-long effort?

(THE NEWS: NCPA responds to President Obama's State of the Union Address. For the full story, click here)

NEW YORK For years now, pharmacy leaders at the state and national level have waged a long lobbying campaign to educate policymakers about the damage wrought to community pharmacies by ill-conceived Medicaid cost-cutting programs.