Washington, D.C. – Now in its eighth year, the 2016 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill kicked off today by showcasing both quantity and quality in grassroots advocacy and political engagement.
The event that is bringing nearly 400 pharmacy advocates to Capitol Hill on March 16 and 17 to meet with approximately 90 percent of the U.S. Congress also is recognizing with a series of awards those who help to set the standard for advancing and telling the story of pharmacy patient care.
“The awards presented today at NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill send the clear message that grassroots advocacy and political engagement are essential for pharmacy patient care,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “We always knew that bringing these white-coated pharmacists to Capitol Hill would send a powerful message. The fact is that this annual event also is creating an opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond to tell pharmacy’s story to elected officials.”
The first day of NACDS’ signature advocacy event featured the presentation of the following awards:
- Steve McCann, vice president of pharmacy for SUPERVALU INC., won the 2016 NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact of the Year Award. McCann demonstrated exceptional commitment to the NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact program – through which advocates become a go-to source of pharmacy information for particular members of Congress and make it a priority to engage in grassroots events with those legislators. McCann completed the NACDS RxIMPACT Key Contact PLUS training program – which is billed as the ultimate level of advocacy training.
- Mike Duteau, vice president of business development and strategic relations for Kinney Drugs, Inc. and Daniel Miller, senior vice president of pharmacy operations for Rite Aid Corporation are being recognized for demonstrating exceptional leadership within the Chairman’s Inner Circle on behalf of the NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC). The bipartisan NACDS-PAC supports pro-patient, pro-pharmacy Congressional candidates and the Chairman’s Inner Circle is comprised of senior representatives from NACDS member companies who engage with NACDS-PAC at a level of exceptional leadership.
- Arathi Pillay of Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy won the 2016 NACDS RxIMPACT Student Ambassador Award, recognizing her published articles that captured the power of her participation in last year’s NACDS RxIMPACT “U” Academy – a component of NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill that is tailored to student pharmacists.
Among interesting statistics about the 2016 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill:
- 42 percent of attendees have not attended a prior NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill.
- 31 percent of NACDS chain member companies are represented at the event.
- Compared with the 2015 event, chain personnel participation is up 5 percent.
- 43 states are represented.
- 43 colleges and schools of pharmacy are represented – the highest level yet.
In other news demonstrating the magnitude of the event, a statement about NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill by U.S. Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA) was published in the Congressional Record on Monday, March 14. “This is a special day where we recognize pharmacy’s contribution to the American healthcare system,” Rep. Loebsack said in the statement. “Patients have always relied on their local pharmacist to meet their healthcare needs. The local pharmacist is a trusted, highly accessible healthcare provider deeply committed to providing the highest quality care in the most efficient manner possible.”
In addition, Ron Fournier, senior political columnist for National Journal, delivered remarks at today’s Welcome Dinner.
