NCPA Launches Grassroots Patient Coalition

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists
Association has launched a grassroots lobbying effort that it
hopes will drive the community pharmacy message to Congress.

The organization, which represents 23,000 community pharmacies,
said patients can sign up to become grassroots activists through
their local pharmacies at a Web site called Fight4Rx.org. According to the
NCPA, pharmacies on average interact with over 100 patients per
day. Already, 1,000 pharmacies have begun recruiting patients,
“putting the initial goal of 50,000 Fight4Rx patients by the end of
2009 well within reach,” the NCPA said.

The site includes briefs on pharmacy patient issues, Medicare
and health care news updates, and a video featuring pharmacy
experts. Patients will also get a monthly e-mail newsletter.

“When necessary, Fight4Rx will encourage patients to contact
their elected officials” via an 800 number or e-mail, the NCPA
said. According to a report in
The Politico, those issues might include preventing
Medicare and Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement cuts, allowing small
pharmacies to negotiate drug prices directly with the government
and stopping mandates that would require patients in government
health programs to use mail-order pharmacies.

The campaign will also include television ads featuring local
pharmacies in various markets and ads on consumer health Web sites,
the news report said.

“I believe the Fight4Rx online community will lead us to fair
and common-sense health care policies in the United States by
empowering patients to let their voices be heard in establishing
the pharmacy home of their choice,” said Holly Henry, RPh, NCPA
president.