ARLINGTON, Va. — This year, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill will literally bring a nationwide voice to Washington, D.C.

Steve Anderson, president and chief executive officer of NACDS, said Thursday that the 2018 NACDS RxImpact Day scheduled for March 7 and 8 will include pharmacy advocates from all 50 states — a first for the grassroots lobbying event, which also is marking its 10th anniversary.

“Already, throughout the past decade, the event has proven itself as an effective focal point for pharmacy’s story as the face of neighborhood health and wellness. This is the event that has built the reputation of reaching 90% of U.S. House of Representatives and Senate offices,” Anderson stated. “Still, there is something extra special about reaching the 50-state mark. In addition, you already have achieved an additional new record: a new high-water mark of 36% of NACDS chain members will participate in 2018.”

Anderson also noted that NACDS chain members operate pharmacies in all congressional districts, which dovetails with the fact that nine in 10 Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy.

“This statistic would not be nearly as powerful, however, were it not for the commitment of NACDS members to actually engage in NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill and in other aspects of the NACDSRxImpact grassroots advocacy program,” he added. “Pharmacy’s accessible presence tells the story every day in neighborhoods across America. Pharmacy’s engagement in NACDS RxImpact takes the vital next step of driving the message home with members of Congress.”

The broader contingent of pharmacy advocates, too, comes at an opportune time. In 2017, NACDS had to cancel RxImpact Day because of a nor’easter that slammed the District of Columbia and the surrounding region. The storm not only presented safety issues but also shook up the congressional calendar, since members of Congress were delayed in arriving in the nation’s capital, the association said.