WASHINGTON — Rep. Marion Berry (D., Ark.) has recived the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Congressional Leadership Award for his strong commitment to and lifetime support of pharmacy.

NACDS said Thursday that it presented Berry — the only licensed pharmacist in Congress — with the award during its annual RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill event this week.

The association noted that Berry has been a champion for pharmacy’s health care priorities, ranging from Medicaid average manufacturer price (AMP) reform to preserving seniors’ access to durable medical equipment (DME) through neighborhood pharmacies.

"As over 250 pharmacy advocates descend on Washington, D.C., for RxIMPACT Day to meet with their respective members of Congress to advance pharmacy’s priorities, it is only fitting we recognize one of our most vocal advocates in Congress: Rep. Marion Berry," NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said in a statement.

NACDS said Berry is an influential member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, and founder and co-chairman of the House Prescription Drug Task Force. First elected in 1996, Berry plans to retire at the end of the current term.

"It is an honor to spotlight one of pharmacy’s true allies on Capitol Hill," Anderson commented. "Rep. Berry’s commitment, leadership and voice will be missed by pharmacy and by all who are concerned about health care delivery."