Kroger Has Joined the Patient Access to Pharmacists' Care Coalition

Kroger, along with pharmacy organizations and other companies, has joined the Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition (PAPCC) to develop and support federal legislation to recognize pharmacists as providers. Provider status would allow patients to have access to important and valuable services that pharmacists offer, including medication therapy management, immunizations, wellness screenings, and health coaching. Furthermore, provider status would give community pharmacists the opportunity to be compensated and recognized for providing these patient care services.

Kroger, as an organization, is supporting provider status efforts in multiple ways, including participation in the PAPCC and the formation of an internal advocacy work group. In the fall of 2013, the work group sent an online survey to all Kroger pharmacists to assess information about professional involvement and advocacy. Over 1700 pharmacists completed the survey. Here is a summary of the results:

• The majority of pharmacists believe that it is important or very important to be involved in professional organizations, and they are interested in becoming involved in professional organizations.
• However, only an estimated 40% of pharmacists are involved in pharmacy organizations.
• Cost was identified as a major barrier that prevents or prohibits pharmacists from being involved in professional organizations.

Kroger supports the individual advocacy efforts of its pharmacists by encouraging them to be active members of their local, state, and national pharmacy organizations. In addition, the American Pharmacists Association offers a discounted rate for Kroger pharmacists.

Cathy Kuhn, PharmD

Chair, Kroger Advocacy Work Group