One of many themes that emerged from the NACDS Total Store Expo (TSE) was the importance of advocating for pharmacy. NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, outlined several programs under the aegis of the NACDS RxIMPACT program, including RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill.
Pharmacy provider status legislation has 60 percent of Congress not only just supporting it, but cosponsoring the legislation.
During the signature grassroots advoacy event, nearly 500 people industry advocates go to Capitol Hill to communicate pro-patient, pro-pharmacy messages to members of Congress. At this year’s conference in March, advocates met with 480 Congressional offices, which is 90 percent of the entire Congress. NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy tours also get members of Congress into stores and aware of pharmacy legislative priorities.
NACDS is currently supporting legislation, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (H.R. 592/S. 314), which would enable pharmacists to provide services to Medicare patients in underserved communities. Pharmacy provider status legislation has 60 percent of Congress not only just supporting it, but cosponsoring the legislation. Anderson also noted the NACDS RxIMPACT Get-Out-the-Vote campaign, which has successful video ads—“Momentum” and “Effective”—designed to engage advocates and increase voter participation, is pivotal in increasing voter participation and advancing pharmacy issues on Capitol Hill. The ads–branded with #PharmacyVoter–are popular on YouTube.
Some attendees told NACDS staff that the first time they had seen the ads was during the TSE Business Program. Those new to the ads, and those who have seen them but have not yet used them within their companies, are invited to do so to encourage staff to volunteer and vote for the candidates of their choice.
