ARLINGTON, Va.— The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today welcomed the White House’s release of the 2019 National Drug Control Strategy, and expressed in particular the Association’s commitment to collaboration as part of the solution to the opioid-abuse epidemic.

“We have an opportunity to continue to build on longstanding and ongoing efforts to prevent drug abuse, as well as to build on the enactment of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act in October 2018,” said NACDS president and chief executive officer Steven  Anderson.

“The new law is consistent with all four areas of NACDS’ public policy recommendations, which relate to initial-fill limits for acute pain, to prescription drug monitoring plans (PDMP), to drug disposal, and – in a very significant way – to mandatory electronic prescribing. NACDS recognizes and appreciates that the 2019 National Drug Control Strategy signals continued momentum by including initial fill limits, PDMPs and drug disposal. We look forward to working with the administration and with all levels and all branches of government to continue to advance NACDS’ policy recommendations, which have been developed based on pharmacists’ experiences on the front lines of healthcare.”

A new survey conducted in January 2019 by Morning Consult and commissioned by NACDS found that 6-in-10 voters – across political ideologies – support seven-day initial-fill limits on certain opioid prescriptions; mandatory electronic prescribing; and enhanced access for Medicare patients to pharmacist-provided services that help prevent, detect and treat potential opioid abuse. Opposition to these policies is extremely low, as 2-in-10 voters express uncertainty or lack of opinion on the issues.

Overall, 7-in-10 voters support “advancing policies that leverage pharmacies’ role as working partners for stronger and safer communities – such as working to address the opioid-abuse epidemic.”

In addition to advancing its public policy recommendations, NACDS and pharmacies maintain longstanding and ongoing initiatives to prevent opioid abuse, including compliance programs; advancing e-prescribing; drug disposal; patient education; security initiatives; fostering naloxone access; stopping illegal online drug-sellers and rogue clinics; and more.

NACDS’ Chain Pharmacy Community Engagement Report indicates that opioid abuse prevention stands as one of the top priorities for NACDS members among their community engagement initiatives.