NCPA Statement On Senate Introduction Of DME Accreditation Legislation

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 05 Mar 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Senators John Tester (D-MT) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) have introduced S. 511, the Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2009, a bill that adds pharmacists to a list of 17 medical professionals that are exempted from new accreditation requirements for Medicare Part B Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS). In response to the bill's introduction, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive Vice President and CEO Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, and NCPA President Holly Henry, RPh, issued the following statement:

"Pharmacists keep patients healthy, not only by dispensing much needed medication, but by providing the medical supplies necessary for their patients' health. Senators John Tester and Sam Brownback are to be commended for their leadership in introducing S. 511. This much needed bill demonstrates that these Senators are committed to our nation's patients and maintaining the ease of services provided by their community pharmacists."

Community pharmacists are professionally trained with the expertise and government oversight as state-licensed medical professionals and businesses that can be sanctioned for any violations of Medicare regulations. The accreditation fees and implementation costs are at least $5,000 to $7,000 per pharmacy and reoccur every three years. If pharmacists stop participating in the Medicare Part B program, patients will have to travel longer distances to get these supplies, which is especially problematic in rural states like Montana and Kansas where the local pharmacy is often the sole health care provider in a community. Even worst patients could turn to using mail order and Internet operations where fraud is more prevalent - which undermines the primary purpose of accreditation.

A companion bill, H.R. 616, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Marion Berry (D-AR) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in late January. It currently has 45 cosponsors.

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.

National Community Pharmacists Association

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