Content about NCPA

December 15, 2011
At the front-end

The National Community Pharmacists Association recently unleashed a new front-end program that has seen more than 20% growth in test pilots. Operating under the hood of that program is 35-year retail veteran Gabe Trahan, NCPA senior director of store operations and marketing. Drug Store News caught up with Trahan to discuss the kinds of tools that can be accessed as part of the new program.

AUDIO Q&A: DSN caught up with Gabe Trahan, NCPA senior director of store operations and marketing, to discuss the kinds of tools available in NCPA's new front-end program that has seen more than 20% growth in test pilots.

May 10, 2013
NCPA, McKesson to host three-day pharmacy ownership seminar

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday announced it will host its NCPA Ownership Workshop from May 17 to 19 at the Seattle Airport Marriott.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday announced it will host its NCPA Ownership Workshop from May 17 to 19 at the Seattle Airport Marriott. The Ownership Workshop, sponsored by McKesson and in part by Pharmacists Mutual and Live Oak Bank, gives prospective and current pharmacy owners an in-depth look at the industry and the financial, management and marketing skills needed to operate a successful pharmacy business. The three-day session also offers pharmacists 20 hours of continuing education credits.

May 9, 2013
NCPA favors Medicare Prescription Drug Program Integrity and Transparency Act

Bipartisan legislation that would let pharmacists devote more time to Medicare beneficiaries and less to adjudicating claims with pharmacy benefit management firms was introduced in the U.S. Senate and won the backing of the National Community Pharmacists Association earlier this week.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Bipartisan legislation that would let pharmacists devote more time to Medicare beneficiaries and less to adjudicating claims with pharmacy benefit management firms was introduced in the U.S. Senate and won the backing of the National Community Pharmacists Association earlier this week.

May 8, 2013
Independent pharmacists conduct more than 500 meetings with legislators on the Hill

More than 300 independent community pharmacists from across the country met in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill Wednesday for the 2013 National Community Pharmacists Association Conference on Legislation and Government Affairs.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  — More than 300 independent community pharmacists from across the country met in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill Wednesday for the 2013 National Community Pharmacists Association Conference on Legislation and Government Affairs. The pharmacists conducted more than 500 meetings with congressional offices.

May 7, 2013
NCPA gearing up for busy two days on Capitol Hill tackling issues critical to community pharmacy

The National Community Pharmacists Association is expecting its highest turnout in two years for the association's 2013 Legislative and Government Affairs conference being held Tuesday and Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — The National Community Pharmacists Association is expecting its highest turnout in two years for the association's 2013 Legislative and Government Affairs conference being held Tuesday and Wednesday. NCPA intends to address many key issues impacting community pharmacy with legislators during the two-day conference. 

May 7, 2013
NCPA highlights Taxpayers Protection Alliance report criticizing mail-order pharmacy

Federal prescription drug programs are more susceptible to waste, fraud and abuse because of the lack of transparency and oversight of mail-order pharmacy, proclaimed the Taxpayers Protection Alliance on Tuesday in a report called “The Expensive Truth Behind Taxpayer-Funded Mail Order Pharmaceuticals.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Federal prescription drug programs are more susceptible to waste, fraud and abuse because of the lack of transparency and oversight of mail-order pharmacy, proclaimed the Taxpayers Protection Alliance on Tuesday in a report called “The Expensive Truth Behind Taxpayer-Funded Mail Order Pharmaceuticals.” 

April 19, 2013
Bill Clinton to speak at NCPA show in October

Former president Bill Clinton will address the National Community Pharmacists Association's exposition in Orlando, Fla., this October, the group said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former president Bill Clinton will address the National Community Pharmacists Association's exposition in Orlando, Fla., this October, the group said Friday.

The NCPA's 115th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition will take place Oct. 12-16 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.

April 12, 2013
NACDS, NCPA oppose pursuing new Medicaid cuts, urge completion of current rulemaking

A proposal to further reduce Medicaid drug reimbursement that was included in President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget plan is “premature” and federal Medicaid officials should focus on modifying and completing already proposed regulations to set future federal upper limits for reimbursement of most generic drugs, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A proposal to further reduce Medicaid drug reimbursement that was included in President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget plan is “premature” and federal Medicaid officials should focus on modifying and completing already proposed regulations to set future federal upper limits for reimbursement of most generic drugs, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association argued on Friday.

April 3, 2013
NCPA responds to CMS call letter

The recent call letter released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addresses issues that can have an adverse effect on the program's cost and quality of care, a trade group representing independent retail pharmacies said Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The recent call letter released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addresses issues that can have an adverse effect on the program's cost and quality of care, a trade group representing independent retail pharmacies said Wednesday.

Commenting on the CMS' announcement, the National Community Pharmacists Association said it had prepared a detailed list for its members.

March 26, 2013
NCPA among industry associations rejecting proposal to reschedule hydrocodone

The National Community Pharmacists Association called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association last week called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

March 6, 2013
NCPA, NDPA praise unanimous passage of PBM transparency bill by N.D. state assembly

The National Community Pharmacists Association joined the North Dakota Pharmacy Association in support of a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill that was passed by the state assembly by a vote of 93-0 on Feb. 25.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday joined the North Dakota Pharmacy Association in support of a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill that was passed by the state assembly by a vote of 93-0 on Feb. 25. 

March 4, 2013
NCPA submits comments to CMS over wide range of issues

The National Community Pharmacists Association submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced. 

February 28, 2013
NCPA provides insight on addressing waste, fraud and abuse in health care to House subcommittee

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for its hearing on “Fostering Innovation to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Health Care.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for its hearing on “Fostering Innovation to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Health Care.” NCPA’s statement called for pharmacy audits to focus on true waste, fraud and abuse as opposed to clerical errors, and for policymakers to examine mail-order waste in federal health programs. 

February 25, 2013
NCPA survey: Closed-door LTC pharmacies dispense meds at 25% higher cost vs. retail

Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

February 13, 2013
NCPA outlines legislative priorities

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday announced its federal and state legislative priorities with the release of the Independent Community Pharmacy Checklist.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday announced its federal and state legislative priorities with the release of the Independent Community Pharmacy Checklist. The one-page document details the main legislative actions NCPA and its members will advocate for this year at the federal and state levels. 

February 12, 2013
NCPA to hold 45th annual Legislative Conference in May

The National Community Pharmacists Association announced it will hold its 45th annual Legislative Conference May 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday announced it will hold its 45th annual Legislative Conference May 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C.

February 7, 2013
Survey: Part D 'preferred pharmacy' provision driving rural seniors away from community pharmacy

A survey of community pharmacists suggests that "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A survey of community pharmacists suggests that "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities. The finding comes shortly after similar questions were raised at the January public meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Congress' advisory board on Medicare issues, the National Community Pharmacists Association noted Thursday. 

February 5, 2013
NCPA to FDA: Rescheduling hydrocodone combo products to create headache for legitimate pain patients

The National Community Pharmacists Association submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration urging the agency to preserve access to hydrocodone-containing pain relief products, as FDA considers moving the medications from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Schedule III list of controlled substances to the more restrictive Schedule II list.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration urging the agency to preserve access to hydrocodone-containing pain relief products, as FDA considers moving the medications from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Schedule III list of controlled substances to the more restrictive Schedule II list.

January 29, 2013
NCPA, NGA and NACS together file a 'friend of the court' brief in support of suit v. American Express

In an effort to quell the significant sway creditors wield in dictating terms with retail vendors, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the National Grocers Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores on Monday submitted a joint brief to the Supreme Court as amici curiae in the case of American Express vs. Italian Colors Restaurant.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In an effort to quell the significant sway creditors wield in dictating terms with retail vendors, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the National Grocers Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores on Monday submitted a joint brief to the Supreme Court as amici curiae, or "friends of the court," in the case of American Express vs. Italian Colors Restaurant. 

January 24, 2013
NCPA: Mandatory mail raising 'serious concerns' among seniors

Seniors have serious concerns regarding mandatory mail-order pharmacy requirements in prescription drug plans, according to a new national survey of 669 Medicare Part D beneficiaries released Thursday by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Seniors have serious concerns regarding mandatory mail-order pharmacy requirements in prescription drug plans, according to a new national survey of 669 Medicare Part D beneficiaries released Thursday by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

January 18, 2013
NCPA monitoring new state health insurance exchanges

This will be a big year for implementation of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, and the National Community Pharmacists Association will track the process closely on behalf of NCPA members and the patients they serve. NCPA recently submitted comments about the ACA’s Multi-State Plans, or MSPs, being designed by the Office of Personnel Management.

This will be a big year for implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the National Community Pharmacists Association will track the process closely on behalf of NCPA members and the patients they serve. NCPA recently submitted comments about the ACA’s Multi-State Plans, or MSPs, being designed by the Office of Personnel Management.

November 29, 2012
NCPA releases progress report on medication adherence initiative

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday released Moving Forward on a Solid Foundation: Year One Progress Report, which examines the success of the association's strategic initiative Pharmacists Advancing Medication Adherence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday released Moving Forward on a Solid Foundation: Year One Progress Report, which examines the success of the association's strategic initiative Pharmacists Advancing Medication Adherence. 

November 14, 2012
NCPA submits comments in support of compounding to congressional committees

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday submitted comments to two congressional committees holding separate hearings examining the meningitis outbreak at the New England Compounding Center, including the the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, respectively.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday submitted comments to two congressional committees holding separate hearings examining the meningitis outbreak at the New England Compounding Center, including the the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, respectively.

October 24, 2012
Ala. pharmacist appointed NCPA president for 2012-13

The National Community Pharmacists Association has a new crop of leaders for 2012-13, the group said Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association has a new crop of leaders for 2012-13, the group said Wednesday.

The new officers and board of directors, announced at the NCPA's 114th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition, are the group's governing body.

October 16, 2012
NCPA Digest: Business climate tougher for indies, but they still represent better bang for healthcare buck

The number of independents still is down from 2000, and margins of 2.9% represent the lowest in five years.

 SAN DIEGO — The number of independents still is down from 2000, and margins of 2.9% represent the lowest in five years. However community pharmacists have proven resilient and helped reduce healthcare costs by dispensing a record high number of lower-cost generic drugs in 2011 and reported more frequent interaction with physicians to promote the appropriate use of generics, according to the 2012 NCPA Digest, sponsored by Cardinal Health.