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NCPA CEO Roberts to leave for new position

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Bruce Roberts, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the National Community Pharmacists Association, plans to step down from the post in June to join prescription benefit facilitator BeneCard PBF.

The search for a new executive is under way, and in the interim NCPA senior VP and chief operating officer B. Douglas Hoey will serve as acting executive VP and CEO, the association said.

 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Bruce Roberts, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the National Community Pharmacists Association, plans to step down from the post this summer to join prescription benefit facilitator BeneCard PBF.

NCPA said Wednesday that plans call for Roberts to depart June 25. The search for a new executive leader is under way, and until a replacement is named NCPA senior vice president and chief operating officer B. Douglas Hoey will serve as acting executive vice president and CEO after Roberts’ exit, according to the association.

"After nearly nine years at the helm of NCPA, the time seems right to turn over the reins of the association," Roberts said in a statement. "I’m proud to have led a team that has done so much to position community pharmacy in a more favorable light in our health care system.

"The stronger voice we’ve developed for NCPA in the political arena is producing policies that help local pharmacists continue to care for their patients," he added. "With NCPA on solid footing and well-positioned to do great things in the coming years, I have decided it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter."

NCPA president Joseph Harmison, an Arlington, Texas, pharmacy owner, noted that Roberts helped the association become an effective advocate for community pharmacists and a source of market-oriented solutions to support its members.

"Bruce Roberts’ vision and passion for independent community pharmacy have greatly benefitted NCPA members and his service has been deeply appreciated," Harmison commented. "On behalf of NCPA’s Executive Committee, I and many others wish him all the best and know that he will continue to be an energetic supporter of community pharmacists and their patients."

NCPA represents the owners of more than 22,700 independent community pharmacies, pharmacy franchises and drug store chains.

Roberts will join BeneCard PBF as president and CEO, NCPA reported. As a prescription benefit facilitator (PBF), BeneCard is a transparent alternative to the traditional pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) model, the association said.

"In joining BeneCard, I hope to bring about meaningful change in the world of the pharmacy benefit management," Roberts stated. "BeneCard’s success in the marketplace demonstrates that there is a better way, built on core principles such as absolute transparency and an aligned interest between the beneficiary, plan and the pharmacy. I see this next chapter as a logical extension of the work we’ve done at NCPA over the last eight years. That is, to bring about positive change to advance pharmacy’s role in our health care system and reversing the commoditization of what we do as pharmacists." 

Commenting on Roberts’ departure from NCPA, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson cited Roberts’ efforts in helping community pharmacy present a united political front on key industry issues.

"For the past three years, I have thoroughly enjoyed my excellent working relationship with Bruce," Anderson stated. "He has been a true partner as, together, NACDS and NCPA advanced the agenda of community pharmacy.

"The ideal example of our pro-patient, pro-pharmacy work together is the earning of a preliminary injunction blocking the damaging Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement cuts under the average manufacturer price (AMP) model," he explained. "That injunction is blocking $5.5 million in cuts each day it is in place and has blocked a total of $4.48 billion in cuts from Jan. 1, 2008, through today. We also have worked hand in hand for the legislative action that is needed to address this problem for the long term while advancing a greater role for pharmacy in health care delivery, a pursuit that has borne fruit and that will require an ongoing focus.

"I certainly wish Bruce well in his new and exciting endeavor," Anderson added.

*Editor’s Note: Steve Anderson comment added on March 25.


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