NCPA Supports Senate Bill Allowing Pharmacy Deliveries of Diabetes Testing Supplies

PRESS RELEASE

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Jan. 16, 2014) — New legislation to allow independent community pharmacies to provide same-day delivery of diabetes testing supplies (DTS) to Medicare beneficiaries should be enacted into law, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) urged.

The Diabetic Testing Supply Access Act (S. 1935) was introduced today by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and John Thune (R-S.D.). Since July 1, 2013 community pharmacies have been banned from delivering DTS to beneficiaries, including those who are homebound or in long-term care or assisted living facilities (ALFs). The restriction has drawn the ire of dozens of members of Congress and community pharmacists due to its inconvenience and potential harm to patients. Moreover, the costs of DTS to Medicare are equivalent regardless of whether they are delivered same-day by local pharmacies or through the mail.

“This winter has already brought sub-zero temperatures and perilous traveling and walking conditions to parts of the country,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. “Pharmacists have reported cases of seniors going out in hazardous circumstances and risking a debilitating fall or other accident to obtain diabetes testing supplies because the local pharmacy can no longer deliver them. Now more than ever, Congress should scrap this indefensible delivery ban. We thank Senators Moran and Thune for their leadership on this issue and for introducing this budget-neutral legislation.”

In July 2013, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced similar legislation in the House — The Diabetic Testing Supply Access Act (H.R. 2845).