Rx Innovators Connect at NACDS Tech Conference

How can pharmacists impact patient outcomes through medication adherence? What does the shift to electronic prescribing and electronic health records mean for pharmacies? In today’s reformed, technology-driven health care system, where does the community pharmacist stand?

These are just a few of the “big questions” pharmacy thought leaders will tackle in one-on-one meetings and educational sessions at the 2011 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference, taking place August 27-30 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

A springboard for ideas, the conference results in partnerships and strategies that shape the practice of pharmacy in chain drugstores, supermarkets, and mass merchants nationwide. It brings together 300 manufacturers with retail pharmacy executives representing more than 80,000 retail outlets and $200 billion in annual buying power.

The 2011 NACDS Pharmacy and Technology Conference also coincides with the 14th Annual Forum, where nationally recognized speakers will discuss the most pressing issues facing retail pharmacists today. This year’s forum, “Community Pharmacy: Partners for Improving Adherence and Patient Health Outcomes,” features insights from an exciting lineup of public health and pharmacy influencers:

• Charlene Frizzera, former US Health and Human Services Secretary and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and current senior advisor for Leavitt Partners
• Patty Kumbera, BPharm, co-founder and chief operating officer for Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care
• John Michael O’Brien, PharmD, director of field operations and policy for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s (CMS’s) Innovation Center
• Winston Wong, PharmD, associate vice president of pharmacy management at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

With more than 15 educational programs on offer, attendees from chain pharmacy, state boards of pharmacy, academia, and state and national pharmacy associations will have their pick of timely, relevant topics to choose from, including medication adherence, specialty pharmacy, health reform, medication therapy management, supply chain integrity, patient safety, and more.

Speakers hail from leading industry groups, such as CMS, Cardinal Health, Harvard University’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Surescripts, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Scheduled for the final day are 2 unique programs, “Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls of Social Media” and “The Navy Telepharmacy Project—A Global Experience,” that explore how new tools are reinventing the profession.

This robust programming, combined with ample opportunities for collaboration between retailers and suppliers, make the NACDS Pharmacy Technology Conference a highlight of the NACDS event calendar. According to conference chair Debbie B. Garza, RPh, Walgreens’ divisional vice president of government and community relations, “This conference delivers insights, education, and access that pharmacies and suppliers need to map the future of their businesses.”