NCPA: Independent Pharmacy Partners Form New Consortium to Bolster Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

The National Community Pharmacists Association’s Innovation Center is announcing the formation of the Independent Community Pharmacy Consortium for Government Engagement, which is bringing together pharmacy services administrative organizations, wholesale distributors, and pharmacy management system vendors to streamline the engagement of community pharmacies in public health initiatives. Building on the vital role played during the COVID-19 pandemic, independent community pharmacies across the United States are taking proactive steps to enhance their readiness for future public health emergencies.

The consortium establishes a groundbreaking structure that facilitates swift and efficient cooperation between public health agencies and the nation’s nearly 19,000 independent community pharmacies. This network is especially crucial for ensuring access to health care, pharmacy, and public health services for the most vulnerable populations in both rural and urban settings.

“Our independent community pharmacies are an indispensable part of the health care and public health infrastructure, providing essential services to those who need them most,” said NCPA Innovation Center President Kurt Proctor. “Through this innovative partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to the nation’s readiness by ensuring that we can rapidly respond as a sector when the need arises.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 12,000 independent pharmacies were integral to the federal response programs for vaccinations, testing, therapeutics, and masks distributions, due in large part to the collaborative efforts of the consortium’s member organizations. Not all community pharmacies had the opportunity to participate in the federal programs, however, which the consortium is poised to change by creating avenues for more comprehensive engagement throughout future public health emergencies.

The entities involved in the Independent Community Pharmacy Consortium for Government Engagement will support and coordinate the response of their affiliated pharmacies, playing a pivotal role in the overarching public health response. This initiative is expected to improve the ability of independent pharmacies to serve their communities effectively during emergencies, while offering an “easy button” for government organization coordination.

The founding members of the consortium are AlignRx, Cardinal Health, Cencora, Epic, McKesson, and Pharmacy First. For more information about the consortium and its activities, please visit www.ncpa.org/consortium.