The pharmacy team at a Rite Aid in Plymouth, Mich., hosted newly-elected Rep. Dave Trott (R-MI) on an NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tour on May 7. NACDS.org visited with Rite Aid Corporation Pharmacy District Manager Rhonda Morris to find out what the congressman learned about pharmacy he didn’t know before.
…[pharmacists] are actually going to play a part in helping to fill the healthcare void for medically underserved populations.
Q: What stood out to you during the pharmacy tour?
A: The congressman and staff said it was their first time actually behind a pharmacy counter, and they were thrilled to see what goes on.
Q: What did the congressman learn that he didn’t know before?
I think what impressed him most is how not only do we fill prescriptions, but in this process we integrate clinical services to ensure that people get the maximum benefit out of their medications.
Q: What kind of impact do you think the visit will have on how the congressman views pharmacy’s role in a shifting healthcare landscape?
I think his firsthand look at what actually goes on in a pharmacy and what we actually do in terms of all the services we provide to make sure that people live happier and healthier lives, will be a positive impact on his impression of what pharmacists do on a day-to-day basis.
Q: What do you think biggest takeaway for the congressman was?
A: I think the biggest takeaway was when we were discussing how we integrate clinical services into the fill process. We had the opportunity to mention H.R. 592, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, which enables Medicare beneficiaries to access pharmacist-provided patient care services. When we discussed the bill, Rep. Trott made a direct connection that pharmacists do a lot more than count and pour—they are actually going to play a part in helping to fill the healthcare void for medically underserved populations.
