ARLINGTON, Va. — Deepti Loharikar, a public health policy expert, has joined the National Association of Chain Drug Stores as director of federal and state public policy. She reports to Kevin Nicholson, vice president of public affairs and regulatory affairs.

Deepti Loharikar

In her role at NACDS, Loharikar will provide policy expertise on pharmacy issues at the state and federal levels. She will serve as the public policy expert on drug and patient safety, Internet pharmacies, consumer drug safety initiatives and related issues, providing policy analysis on proposed and enacted legislation and regulations.

Loharikar will also prepare and deliver testimony and regulatory comments, and develop other advocacy materials in support of key issues that impact chain pharmacy.

“No stranger to the intersection of law and public health policy, Deepti brings a wealth of experience to her position at NACDS,” said NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson. “Deepti’s expertise in health policy, combined with her legal background, makes her an effective legislative and regulatory advocate for chain pharmacy.”

Loharikar came to NACDS from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she oversaw the development and implementation of long-term strategies for the consumer-oriented and operated plan (CO-OP) insurance program. In addition, she previously served as a health policy analyst for the office of rural health policy at HHS.

Prior to her work for the federal government, Loharikar practiced law at a law firm in New Jersey and with the Department of Justice in Washington.