Local Pharmacists Participate In National Community Pharmacists Association
40th Annual Legislative Conference - May 21st 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2008) – Richard Brisson, R.Ph. and Philip Falzarano, R.Ph. of PharmaHealth Pharmacy in Dartmouth and New Bedford, Mass. recently returned from Washington, D.C., for the National Community Pharmacists Association's (NCPA) 40th Annual Conference on National Legislation and Government Affairs. The conference was held May 19-21 and was attended by nearly 500 pharmacists from around the country.
"Washington, D.C., needs to hear from pharmacists who are working day to day in the pharmacies on the frontlines of America's health care system, dealing with the issues important to our industry. That's why we made the trip to our nation's capital, so that we could tell them first-hand about the concerns we have in our home state and how Congress can ensure we can continue providing our services to our patients," said Richard Brisson, R.Ph. of PharmaHealth Pharmacy.
Conference participants heard from members of Congress on topics crucial to community pharmacies, including fair reimbursement to pharmacies for Medicaid prescription drugs, prompt payment to pharmacies for Medicare Part D claims, and regulation of drug middlemen who administer prescription drug benefits to assure fair prices for patients. Without the legislative solutions that have been introduced in both the House and Senate on each of these issues, community pharmacies will continue to experience a financial crunch that could lead to a reduction in services or even the closing of their business. Under either scenario, access to prescription drugs and the accompanying services are reduced, which threatens the health of patients. The conference offered community pharmacists an opportunity to meet face to face with members of Congress. Among the highlights of the meeting were presentations by a bipartisan and distinguished groups of members from Congress that included Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Bob Corker (R-TN), and Mark Pryor (D-AR). In addition, attendees heard from Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Marion Berry (D-AR), Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Chris Carney (D-PA), Walter Jones (R-NC), Nancy Boyda (D-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bruce Braley (D-IA), and Lee Terry (R-NE).
The National Community Pharmacists Association, founded in 1898, represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 pharmacies. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines.
PharmaHealth Pharmacy, formerly The Medicine Shoppe, has been locally owned and operated since 1977. With four locations in the Greater New Bedford Area, the neighborhood pharmacy also offers free delivery throughout the SouthCoast of all medications and supplies.
