Pharmacy Organizations Brief Congress on Medication Therapy M...( Pro-Pharmacy...),Health

Pro-Pharmacy, Pro-Patient Services Encouraged in Healthcare Reform Legislation

Washington, D.C. (Vocus) June 9, 2009 -- Today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) held a timely Congressional briefing on the benefits of pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM). NACDS' Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs and Chief Pharmacist Edith Rosato, RPh, moderated the briefing, which included participants from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Mirixa, and the University of Iowa. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) also addressed the informational briefing.

"As the face of neighborhood healthcare, pharmacists are medication experts, and are uniquely in tune with their patients' medication needs and requirements," said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. "Pharmacist-provided medication therapy management enhances the pharmacist-patient relationship, improves communication and dialogue, encourages proper patient adherence to medication regimes, and provides unique and individual healthcare services, especially to those patients who suffer from chronic disease."

The briefing panel of experts discussed patient-care benefits of MTM, the practical impact on providing healthcare to rural and underserved populations, and the cost-savings potential for inclusion within comprehensive healthcare reform legislation.

"Pharmacists are much more than the purveyors of a commodity," said NCPA Executive Vice President and CEO, Bruce T. Roberts, RPh. "They offer a wide array of services that can maximize the benefits of medications for patients. That's why we strongly supp
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