NACDS: November Health Affairs Reads Like a Playbook for Using Pharmacists to Boost Patient Health

PRESS RELEASE

Arlington, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is hailing articles in the November 2013 edition of Health Affairs that urge greater reliance on pharmacy in new healthcare delivery models, and that recommend re-alignment of federal and state policies to empower pharmacy patient care.

“Articles in this edition of Health Affairs read like a playbook for leveraging the value, expertise and accessibility of community pharmacies, for the good of patients nationwide,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Pharmacists are well known for helping patients use medicines and stay healthy, and we are seeing greater and greater awareness of the innovative pharmacy services that can do even more to improve patient health and quality of life.”

With a theme of “Redesigning the Health Care Workforce,” the November 2013 Health Affairs includes articles on the role of pharmacists in accountable care organizations and other new healthcare delivery models; on the need to restructure scope-of-practice regulations for health professions; and on strategies to address the physician shortage.

“This edition of Health Affairs adds even more heft to the mounting support for the vision that pharmacies should be empowered to help shape the healthcare delivery system of tomorrow, in partnership with doctors, nurses and other allies in patient care. It builds on the substantial case for leveraging pharmacy’s strengths as the face of neighborhood healthcare,” Anderson said.