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.