As Supreme Court Rules on Healthcare Reform Law, NACDS Remains Focused on Emphasizing Community Pharmacy's Ability to Save Lives, Reduce Costs

PRESS RELEASE

Alexandria, Va. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE today issued the statement below following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA):

"During the lengthy congressional debate and consideration of the healthcare reform legislation, NACDS seized the opportunity to raise awareness of community pharmacy’s tremendous value. Because pharmacy patient care reduces costs and improves lives, NACDS also pursued the goal of enhancing the use of pharmacist-provided medication therapy management in the Medicare program to prevent the avoidable reliance on costly forms of care resulting from not taking medications as prescribed, and the goal of creating a Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement system that is more fair and accurate.

"As we have said all along, healthcare reform remains a constant pursuit. With the Supreme Court’s decision today, the best approach for future progress continues to be saving lives, enhancing patient care and reducing healthcare costs. NACDS and the pharmacy industry we represent have the power and potential to help achieve these goals.

"NEHI has determined that Americans not taking their medications as prescribed are responsible for $290 billion in added healthcare costs annually. At the same time, the U.S. Surgeon General announced last year that 125,000 Americans die needlessly every year because they are not taking their medications as prescribed. This problem demands attention.

"The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2011 (S. 274) introduced by U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) and the Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act of 2011 (H.R. 891) introduced by U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Mike Ross (D-AR) both have bipartisan support. These commonsense bills can help patients understand the importance of taking their medications as prescribed, which can lead to improved health as well as lowering their healthcare costs.

“NACDS also remains committed to ensuring that Medicaid’s prescription drug program reflects a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy approach that ultimately is effective in maximizing health and reducing healthcare costs across the board.

"NACDS will continue to advance pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies that improve health and reduce costs. These objectives will remain top priorities following today's Supreme Court decision."