A new report on the cost of dispensing prescription medications brings into sharp focus the difficult economic challenges faced by retail pharmacy operators. It should come as no surprise that the study — conducted by Abt Associates and the MPI Group for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association and
This space in the last issue of Chain Drug Review was devoted to the alarming results of a survey conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association that show 58% of independent drug store owners think it is either somewhat or very likely that continued downward pressure on pharmacy reimbursements, particularly DIR fees, will force them
BOSTON — Leaders of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores thanked attendees at the organization’s Total Store Expo for their dedication around such issues as direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee reform and opiate misuse. “We have big issues. We have big ideas. So thank you for your role in addressing and advancing them
Titration. In chemistry, it’s adding a reactant to a solution until a chemical reaction is achieved. The titration process might take numerous drops of reactant before its concentration is high enough to observe a noticeable change. That chemical reaction is an apropos analogy for the current misaligned pharmacy payment model and its pathway to change.
WASHINGTON — Advocates of direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee reform are intensifying pressure on the White House to reverse the May rule that left the existing drug pricing system intact. In a letter sent early last month to President Trump, organizations representing a broad range of pharmacies and pharmacists said action by the administration,
WASHINGTON — Pharmacy organizations have decried the government’s refusal to reform direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees in its new drug pricing rule. “We are disappointed and frustrated that this final rule fails to finalize pharmacy DIR reform as proposed, to the detriment of seniors and community pharmacies,” said a statement from the National Association
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee on Friday expressed dismay that a new Medicare rule did not provide relief from pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees that inflate senior citizens’ prescription drug costs. A proposal advanced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and supported by Hy-Vee was not included in the final rule published on
ARLINGTON, Va. – Morning Consult Friday published an opinion piece by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) entitled “DIR Fee Reform: Lining Up Another Win for Patients on Drug Costs.” The op-ed emphasizes the threat of DIR (direct and indirect remuneration) fees and lays out the ways in which DIR fee reform will
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has submitted extensive and thoroughly documented comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in support of the agency’s proposal to reform direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees — reform that relates directly to reducing patients’ out-of-pocket drug costs. NACDS issued its comments
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed appreciation to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for provisions in the final 2019 Medicare Part D rule and in the 2019 Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter, which the agency released earlier this week. The agency signaled the potential for future
