NACDS holds meetings with more than 85% of U.S. Congress

WASHINGTON — More than 350 pharmacy advocates from 44 states met with members of Congress during for this year’s NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores said Thursday that pharmacy advocates — including pharmacists, pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and others — held more than 450 meetings with lawmakers and other officials.  NACDS noted that advocates met with every member of Congress who serves on a health care committee and with those who were newly elected in November.

Hy-Vee’s Randy Edeker (l.), the incoming NACDS chairman, meets with House Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (r.), with NACDS CEO Steve Anderson looking on.

“Living up to its name, NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill is highly impactful,” NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said in a statement. “Decisions on policies made in Washington influence patient care in pharmacies everyday across the nation.  This annual event is an important opportunity for pharmacy advocates to engage directly with lawmakers on pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies and to further reinforce the recognition by lawmakers of the evolving role of pharmacy in patient care.”

Before the congressional meetings on Thursday, NACDS presented its Congressional Leadership Award to Rep. Brett Guthrie (R., Ky.), vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. Guthrie was honored for his sponsorship of legislation, specifically H.R. 592 (current Congress) and H.R. 4190 (last Congress), that broadens Medicare beneficiaries’ access to pharmacist-provided health services.

“Pharmacists are uniquely positioned in their expanded roles in the health care delivery system to help meet the health care needs of all Americans,” Anderson commented. “Pharmacy has an important part to play — working collaboratively with other health care professionals and providers — in providing patient care for those in need.”

Sen. John Tester (D., Mont.) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R., Ga.) also submitted comments to the Congressional Record in support of their constituents and community pharmacy in the lead-up to RxImpact Day.

Also on Thursday, NACDS ran a print ad in the publication Politico that highlights pharmacy’s role in improving patient health and urges members of Congress to tour pharmacies in their districts. Another ad sponsored by the Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition (PAPCC), of which NACDS is a member, was published in publications including The Hill, National Journal, Politico and Roll Call that calls on lawmakers to support the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (S. 314, H.R. 592).

At the RxImpact Day Welcome Dinner on Wednesday evening, Amy Walter, national editor of The Cook Political Report, delivered the keynote address and provided insights on today’s political landscape and predictions leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

NACDS also recognized pharmacy leaders for their advocacy efforts, including the presentations of the first NACDS RxImpact Key Contact of the Year Award to Ryan Swensen, a pharmacy manager for Shopko Stores Operating Co.  The award recognizes a rank-and-file pharmacist who actively engages on behalf of pharmacy with his or her local member of Congress.

Swensen hosted a pharmacy tour with then-Rep. Jim Matheson (D., Utah) and, during the RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, met with his district’s new congressional representative, Rep. Mia Love (R., Utah), to discuss key issues impacting pharmacy, according to NACDS.

“Ryan’s engagement on behalf of pharmacy is exemplary,” Anderson stated.  “His efforts to showcase the value of pharmacy surpass the standard of pharmacy advocacy, and is therefore rightfully deserving of the new NACDS RxImpact Key Contact Award.”

Earlier on Thursday, NACDS honored Jonathan Lee, a pharmacy student at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, as the 2015 NACDS RxImpact Ambassador for his mentorship and serving as a role model in encouraging pharmacy students to participate in this year’s RxImpact Day.

“As the future of their profession, students play a pivotal role in pharmacy advocacy,” Anderson noted.  “Jonathan is truly an ambassador for pharmacy and a role model for pharmacy students in how to become engaged in the policy-making process. We applaud his efforts to stand up for pharmacy.”