ALEXANDRIA, Va. — J. Anne Foley is joining the the National Association of Chain Drug Stores as the new director of political affairs.

NACDS said Monday that as part of the association’s government affairs and public policy department, Foley will lead proactive political programs, including the bipartisan NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC), which supports the campaigns of pro-pharmacy members of Congress and candidates. She will report to Paul Kelly, vice president of federal affairs.

Foley joins NACDS from the Credit Union National Association, where she managed the credit union trade group’s political programs. Before that, she worked for the National Mining Association in government and political affairs.

"We are delighted to welcome Anne to NACDS. She joins an NACDS team and NACDS membership that is highly engaged in the political process," NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said in a statement. "Anne’s expertise in managing political programs, as well as her political advocacy and fundraising experience, will help to further engage NACDS members politically to achieve pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies."

According to NACDS, one of Foley’s tasks will be to enhance collaboration between NACDS-PAC and other association programs, including grassroots and state affairs, to help raise the association’s political visibility at the federal and state levels. She is also charged with developing a growing fundraising capability.

NACDS-PAC aims to educate candidates about pharmacy’s role of pharmacy in the health care system and to support candidates whose public policy positions help advance pharmacy patient care, the association said.

"NACDS is committed to building on the remarkable momentum of NACDS-PAC, which set its new fundraising record in 2009 — a solid accomplishment in a nonelection year," Anderson commented. "With 30% of contributions from new participants, the growth and future potential of NACDS-PAC is strong. In addition, we look forward to making another announcement regarding NACDS’ political engagement during the upcoming NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference on August 28 to 31."