Published On: June 2, 2017304 words1.8 min readCategories: ArticleTags: ,

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NACDS RxIMPACT in-district activities hit a total of 40 for 2017. Among the recent pharmacy tours, Kroger Co. hosted its first NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tour this week with Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) (third from right) in Middletown, Ohio.

While members of Congress are currently on recess from Washington in their own congressional districts, NACDS RxIMPACT is making the most of these excellent opportunities to coordinate pharmacy advocates with lawmakers to educate them on pharmacy legislative priorities. Adding on to the recent 11 in-district events, this week NACDS RxIMPACT hosted four new activities, which brings the 2017 total to 40.

The pharmacy team at a Bartell Drug Co. in Seattle gave a staff member for newly-elected Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) a tour of the pharmacy and had a productive conversation about supporting H.R. 592—The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act—which would improve access to higher quality, more affordable healthcare. The pharmacy team provided details to the staff member about why supporting pharmacist provider status legislation is so important. They talked about Medicare beneficiaries, especially those in underserved areas, who face healthcare risks from poor medication regimens and lack of medication adherence.

Other pharmacy tours included the following: Kroger Co. hosted its first NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tour, welcoming to a Middletown, Ohio pharmacy Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH); H-E-B hosted a tour for Rep. John Carter (R-TX); and Southeastern Grocers LLC hosted pharmacy tours in Jacksonville, Fla., for the district director for Rep. Alfred Lawson (D-FL) and the district director for Rep. Charlie Crist (F-FL).

As lawmakers continue to grapple with finding solutions in the ongoing healthcare debate, the participation in NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tours gives members of Congress and their staff members an essential and firsthand understanding of the significant role pharmacy plays in providing affordable and accessible healthcare services to people in all parts of the country.