Content about National Association of Chain Drug Stores

January 31, 2012

PDUFA reauthorization goals draw support from NACDS

A goal to standardize risk evaluation and mitigation strategies and modernize the U.S. drug safety system in a proposed reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act has drawn support from the country's main chain retail pharmacy lobby.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A goal to standardize risk evaluation and mitigation strategies and modernize the U.S. drug safety system in a proposed reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act has drawn support from the country's main chain retail pharmacy lobby.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted written testimony Tuesday ahead of a congressional hearing on the reauthorization of PDUFA, originally enacted in 1992.

January 30, 2012

NACDS, NCPA urge guidance for states on Medicaid reimbursements

Two groups representing the retail pharmacy industry are urging the federal government to provide guidance to the states on how to adjust Medicaid dispensing fees to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Two groups representing the retail pharmacy industry are urging the federal government to provide guidance to the states on how to adjust Medicaid dispensing fees to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

January 19, 2012

NACDS Foundation announces grant opportunity to study impact of medication management services

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has announced a $750,000 grant opportunity to conduct research examining the impact of medication management services on patient health outcomes within existing medical homes or accountable care organization delivery models, and released a corresponding request for proposal.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has announced a $750,000 grant opportunity to conduct research examining the impact of medication management services on patient health outcomes within existing medical homes or accountable care organization delivery models, and released a corresponding request for proposal.

January 13, 2012

California Senate committee tables PSE Rx-only bill

The California State Senate Health Committee on Wednesday tabled a bill that would require a prescription for the purchase of a pseudoephedrine product, exempting children's liquid formulations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Senate Health Committee on Wednesday tabled a bill that would require a prescription for the purchase of a pseudoephedrine product, exempting children's liquid formulations.

The bill initially failed to pass the committee by a vote of 2-2 with five no-votes. Subsequently, the committee placed the bill up for reconsideration by a vote of 7-0 with two no-votes. No subsequent hearing date has been posted the Senate's website.

January 10, 2012

Sens. Conrad, Snowe raise bipartisan concerns over draft lists of Medicaid drug FULs

In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with 12 of their colleagues, have expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists for Medicaid generic drug reimbursement that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with 12 of their colleagues, have expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists for Medicaid generic drug reimbursement that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association commended the Senators for the effort.

January 4, 2012

Election analyst, professor Larry Sabato to address 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that election analyst and University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato will address attendees at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting on April 21 to 24 in Palm Beach, Fla.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that election analyst and University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato will address attendees at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting on April 21 to 24 in Palm Beach, Fla.

Sabato will offer remarks to NACDS Annual Meeting attendees during the business program on Sunday, April 22.

December 16, 2011

The Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2011 introduced in Senate, endorsed by NACDS

A new bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate seeks to protect consumers from Internet drug sellers posing as legitimate pharmacies.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A new bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate seeks to protect consumers from Internet drug sellers posing as legitimate pharmacies.

December 15, 2011

NACDS, NCPA commend Reps. Rogers, Braley for concern over draft FUL lists

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association issued a statement on Thursday announcing that they commend Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa; Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; and 38 of their colleagues who expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association issued a statement on Thursday announcing that they commend Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa; Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; and 38 of their colleagues who expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

December 14, 2011

NACDS aims to set record straight regarding PBM testimony at Senate hearing

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday challenged some of Express Scripts' and Medco's testimony during last week's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, most notably that PBMs are subject to state regulation in all states and that as a PBM the two companies have no influence on the design of prescription drug benefits.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday challenged some of Express Scripts' and Medco's testimony during last week's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, most notably that PBMs are subject to state regulation in all states and that as a PBM the two companies have no influence on the design of prescription drug benefits.

December 12, 2011

Pharmacists, nurses take top two spots in Gallup integrity survey

For the ninth consecutive year, pharmacists ranked in the top three of Gallup’s annual "Honesty and Ethics" survey, coming in just behind nurses, who took the lead.

PRINCETON, N.J. — For the ninth consecutive year, pharmacists ranked in the top three of Gallup’s annual "Honesty and Ethics" survey, coming in just behind nurses, who took the lead.

Pharmacists ranked second to nurses and ahead of doctors, moving up one place from last year’s survey. Among respondents, 73% rated the honesty and ethical standards of pharmacists as “very high” or “high.”

December 8, 2011

NACDS supports anticounterfeiting legislation

New legislation proposed in the Senate would strengthen penalties against people who traffic in counterfeit medications.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — New legislation proposed in the Senate would strengthen penalties against people who traffic in counterfeit medications.

Introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., S. 1886, the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act of 2011, would harshen laws against producing, buying or selling counterfeit drugs. The bill has received support from the chain retail pharmacy lobby.

December 6, 2011

Express Scripts, Medco grilled by Senate antitrust committee

George Paz, Express Scripts chairman and CEO, and David Snow, Medco Health Solutions chairman and CEO, were in a pair of hot seats Tuesday afternoon before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights.

WASHINGTON — George Paz, Express Scripts chairman and CEO, and David Snow, Medco Health Solutions chairman and CEO, were in a pair of hot seats Tuesday afternoon before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. Many of the questions posed by Senators on the subcommittee challenged the respective chief executives on how the proposed merger would negatively impact retail pharmacy and how the proposed merger would result in a dominant marketshare of the mail order pharmacy business.

November 30, 2011

Former President George W. Bush to deliver keynote at 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting

Former President George W. Bush will serve as the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Palm Beach, Fla., NACDS announced.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former President George W. Bush will serve as the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Palm Beach, Fla., NACDS announced.

November 30, 2011

NACDS Foundation Dinner generates more than $1.77M

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation raised more than $1.77 million for scholarships, research and charitable activities from 114 benefactors at the 13th Annual Dinner held Tuesday night in New York City.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation raised more than $1.77 million for scholarships, research and charitable activities from 114 benefactors at the 13th Annual Dinner held Tuesday night in New York City.

Funds generated by the dinner support improving patients’ health and quality of life by fostering understanding of prescription medicines, promoting medication adherence, enhancing patient care services at neighborhood pharmacies and educating future healthcare professionals.

November 28, 2011

Well-prepared is half sold: How to get your product noticed

Getting a product noticed by a retail buyer or a paying customer in today’s environment is difficult to say the least. Unless you are a Fortune 100 company or you are lucky enough to have a mega-media budget, just getting an appointment with a retail buyer can be difficult. Today’s buyers are so time-starved they have to be very selective in who and when they see new suppliers and products.

November 22, 2011

Provider groups file lawsuit to battle Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cuts

The recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prompted provider groups to file a lawsuit against the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the cuts did not follow proper legal channels.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prompted provider groups to file a lawsuit against the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the cuts did not follow proper legal channels.

November 21, 2011

NACDS names Kathleen Jaeger SVP pharmacy care, patient advocacy

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has appointed pharmacist and trade association veteran Kathleen Jaeger to fill the newly enhanced position of SVP pharmacy care and patient advocacy. She also will serve in a separate role as president of the NACDS Foundation.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has appointed pharmacist and trade association veteran Kathleen Jaeger to fill the newly enhanced position of SVP pharmacy care and patient advocacy. She also will serve in a separate role as president of the NACDS Foundation.

Jaeger will assume her new positions on Nov. 28, and will report to NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson.

November 18, 2011

NACDS, NCPA urge rejection of administration's Tricare plan in favor of more 'balanced' alternatives

NACDS and NCPA announced that they have sent joint letters to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction and the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, encouraging the rejection of an Obama administration proposal that would “saddle Tricare beneficiaries with higher prices and penalize their utilization of community pharmacists.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association announced that they have sent joint letters to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction and the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, encouraging the rejection of an Obama administration proposal that would “saddle Tricare beneficiaries with higher prices and penalize their utilization of community pharmacists.”

November 17, 2011

NACDS RxImpact Day pushed back due to congressional schedule

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that the dates of the 2012 NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., have been changed because of an alteration in the 2012 congressional calendar.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced that the dates of the 2012 NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., have been changed because of an alteration in the 2012 congressional calendar. The new dates for the two-day pharmacy advocacy event will be March 21 and 22, 2012.

The event was previously scheduled for the prior week in March, which now falls during a congressional district work period in which members of Congress will be in their home states and districts.  

November 15, 2011

NACDS bolsters staff with new communications manager

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hired healthcare policy reporter Ben Moscovitch to serve as communications manager.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hired healthcare policy reporter Ben Moscovitch to serve as communications manager.

November 11, 2011

Legislation aimed at closing tax loophole receives NACDS endorsement

Legislation that would level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers, including pharmacies, by closing a loophole that puts them at a disadvantage with online retailers has received praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Legislation that would level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers, including pharmacies, by closing a loophole that puts them at a disadvantage with online retailers has received praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wy., is the sponsor of the Marketplace Fairness Act and serves as the ranking Republican member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

November 8, 2011

Ohio Northern University honors three College of Pharmacy alumni

Ohio Northern University's Raabe College of Pharmacy gave three alumni its Distinguished Alumni Awards last week.

ADA, Ohio — Ohio Northern University's Raabe College of Pharmacy gave three alumni its Distinguished Alumni Awards last week.

November 2, 2011

NACDS joins retail groups in urging super committee to pass 'e-fairness' legislation

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Wednesday that it has joined other retail industry groups and companies in signing a letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the super committee, urging it to close a tax loophole to prevent harm to traditional brick-and-mortar retail businesses — including pharmacies — and to assist states in collecting $23 billion in uncollected state sales taxes that currently are due on Internet and catalog sales.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Wednesday that it has joined other retail industry groups and companies in signing a letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the super committee, urging it to close a tax loophole to prevent harm to traditional brick-and-mortar retail businesses — including pharmacies — and to assist states in collecting $23 billion in uncollected state sales taxes that currently are due on Internet and catalog sales.

October 31, 2011

Medi-Cal reimbursement cuts of 10% opposed by pharmacy

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association jointly spoke out Friday against cuts to California's Medicaid program Medi-Cal, which will be retroactive to June 1.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association jointly spoke out Friday against cuts to California's Medicaid program Medi-Cal, which will be retroactive to June 1.

October 21, 2011

NACDS expresses concerns with new FUL list for pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted on Friday comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the draft federal upper limit list published by CMS.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted on Friday comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the draft federal upper limit list published by CMS.