Pharmacists' Work to Improve Health, Cut Costs Featured in New NCPA Video

Debuts at NCPA Convention, www.WhoRunsMyDrugPlan.com

News provided by

National Community Pharmacists Association

Oct 16, 2012, 01:51 ET

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent community pharmacists work with patients to achieve positive health outcomes, reduce health care expenses and provide a range of essential, niche services – a fact dramatized in a new video released today by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). The video was first screened at NCPA's 114^th Annual Convention & Trade Exposition and is featured on the educational website WhoRunsMyDrugPlan.com.

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The new NCPA video depicts an independent community pharmacist with a strong relationship with patients; who monitors patients' full medication regimen to prevent drug interactions; promotes the appropriate use of generic drugs to lower costs; encourages the taking of medication as directed, or "adherence"; helps patients navigate the red tape imposed by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs); and provides access to additional health services, such as immunizations.

"Every day independent community pharmacists help patients get the full medical and economic value from their prescription drug benefit," said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. "This video captures many of the contributions local pharmacists make to U.S. health care and the hurdles PBMs erect that can undermine that care. Studies have shown that, when properly utilized, community pharmacists can improve health outcomes and reduce costs. We encourage health plan sponsors and policymakers to support patient choice so that they can select a pharmacy provider that best meets their health needs and those of their family."

Patient surveys conducted by Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates and others have consistently documented superlative customer satisfaction for those who rely on independent community pharmacists. According to the 2012 NCPA Digest, sponsored by Cardinal Health, small business community pharmacies set another record in 2011 for the proportion of cost-saving generic drugs that they dispense. The survey also found pharmacists are increasingly consulting with and relied upon by physicians for their expert medication counseling and advice. In addition, the Digest found most independent pharmacies offer a formal adherence program to boost patient medication compliance. The improper use of prescription drugs results in as much as $290 billion in additional health care costs, according to NEHI.

The video is the third in the NCPA series. On Sept. 12, 2012, "Mail Order Madness" was released, giving additional voice to those patients who are dissatisfied with mandatory mail order plan designs. The first video, "The Third Wheel", was released July 11, 2012 in conjunction with the launch of the www.whorunsmydrugplan.com website and parodies how PBMs can negatively affect the cost and value of prescription drug benefits.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA®) represents the interests of America's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies. Together they represent a $93 billion health care marketplace, dispense nearly 40% of all retail prescriptions, and employ more than 315,000 people, including 62,400 pharmacists. Independent community pharmacists are readily accessible medication experts who can help lower health care spending. To learn more go to www.ncpanet.org or read NCPA's blog, The Dose, at http://ncpanet.wordpress.com.

Related Links:
Website about PBMs
NCPA home page

SOURCE National Community Pharmacists Association