Advocates from 37 States to Demonstrate Pharmacy's Role in Healthcare Delivery during Fifth Annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill

PRESS RELEASE

March 5, 2013

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, White House Correspondent Chuck Todd to Address Attendees during Pharmacy Grassroots Advocacy Event in Washington, DC

Advocates will Urge Lawmakers to Explore Pharmacy through NACDS RxIMPACT Pharmacy Tour Program

Arlington, Va. — Approximately 300 community pharmacy advocates from 37 states will gather in Washington, DC for the 5th Annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill on March 13-14, 2013. These advocates will conduct hundreds of meetings with lawmakers to help advance pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policy and key issues related to healthcare reform.

“Now in its fifth year, the NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill has become the premier opportunity for pharmacy advocates to engage and educate lawmakers about what we in the industry already know — that pharmacy is the face of neighborhood healthcare,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “With a new Congress now in place, it is important for community pharmacy advocates to take this opportunity to educate new lawmakers about the pressing issues facing the industry.”

During this year’s NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill program, Chuck Todd, NBC chief White House correspondent will address attendees during the Welcome Dinner on March 13, providing timely insights on politics and policy in Washington.

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) will serve as the keynote speaker at the Breakfast Briefing on March 14. A freshman Senator, Sen. Murphy serves on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which has jurisdiction over key pharmacy issues.

The two-day NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill event brings together pharmacy executives, pharmacists, pharmacy operators, students and other pharmacy leaders. These advocates will provide important perspectives about the challenges facing community pharmacy and how policy decisions in Washington impact the day-to-day work of the nation’s pharmacy advocates.

Pharmacy advocates will also take this opportunity to urge Members of Congress to explore their local community pharmacies through pharmacy tours in their home states and congressional districts. The NACDS RxIMPACT Pharmacy Tour program provides lawmakers a first-hand look at the expansive services provided by their neighborhood pharmacy, including immunizations, disease state testing and medication counseling.

“The NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers and their staffs to help improve patient health and make pharmacy care affordable for patients and their families,” said Anderson. “Located in every congressional district providing accessible patient care, community pharmacies play a vital role in the healthcare delivery system,” said Anderson.

For those unable to attend NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill in person, a “Virtual Hill Day” program will enable pharmacy advocates to contact lawmakers through letters on key pharmacy issues.

For more information on NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, including registration and program information, please click here.