The pharmacy team from the Rite Aid in Lima, Ohio, reported that Cameron Warner, acting district director for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), had a “terrific” and “informative” tour of the pharmacy on June 18. The team gave Warner a comprehensive demonstration of the inner workings of the pharmacy and recounted the broad-based significance the pharmacy services have in the community. The tour lasted more than two hours and the team said Warner was “engaged and eager” to learn more.
The team explained the outcome-based medication management therapy they are providing to patients and the impact those kinds of services can have in improving medication compliance, which can lead to improved health outcomes and cost effectiveness. They also discussed their immunization program, which they have taken to onsite locations at businesses, senior centers, churches and schools. The team explained provider status legislation (H.R. 4190) and the importance of improved access to pharmacist services provided by community pharmacy.
Three additional NACDS RxIMPACT in-district activities bring the 2014 tally to 65. The field representative for Senate HELP Committee Member Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) toured a Plymouth, Minn. Thrifty White Pharmacy; District Director for House Energy & Commerce Committee Member Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH) toured a Bowling Green, Ohio Walmart; and constituent liaison for House Energy & Commerce Committee Member Rep. Ben Luján (D-NM) toured a Santa Fe, N.M. Lovelace Pharmacy. Genoa Healthcare also hosted a pharmacy tour for Washington State Senator Linda Evans Parlette R.Ph., the only pharmacist currently serving in the state legislature.
In other news, the NACDS RxIMPACT training program hosted its 15th grassroots CE training at the Georgia Pharmacy Association Annual Convention. The trainings are designed to convey hands-on, engaged strategies for communicating with policymakers on pro-patient, pro-pharmacy issues.
