National Community Pharmacists Association's Statement On Medicare Part D Cost-Savings Plan

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 24 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The nation's drugmakers have pledged tens of billions of dollars to reduce seniors' out of pocket Medicare Part D drug costs, President Barack Obama announced today. In response, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive Vice President and CEO Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, issued the following statement:

"We commend the White House, Congress and PhRMA for working to lower prescription drug costs for seniors, especially when dealing with the so-called Medicare Part D 'donut-hole'. Independent community pharmacies across the country are on the front lines keeping our seniors healthy by maximizing the safety and therapeutic value of their medications. We share the goal of lowering drug costs but want to learn more about this program to ensure community pharmacies are treated fairly and can continue serving patients.

"Community pharmacies are the interface between Part D plans and Medicare beneficiaries. We spent countless hours mitigating the rocky transition when Medicare Part D launched in 2006 and we want to be sure this program has a smoother transition. As a result we will be reaching out to Congress and the White House to learn the answers to important questions pharmacies and our patients have, so that we can offer solutions that will improve the implementation process this time around.

"For example, we want to know when the program will start, how the discounts will be calculated, who will pass them along, and how the pharmacist will receive full reimbursement for prescriptions that are dispensed. Community pharmacies must play an important role if health care reform and cost savings proposals such as this are going to be successful."

Source
The National Community Pharmacists Association