Support grows for pharmacy exemptions
By Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
Updated Wed July 29, 2009
Efforts to exempt community pharmacies from the fast-approaching accreditation and surety bond requirements gained momentum this week when three groups offered their support. The National Federation of Independent Business, the National Rural Health Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators have all sent letters to the appropriate Senate and House committees, encouraging their members to support bills that would exempt pharmacies from the Sept. 30 accreditation requirement and the Oct. 1 surety bond requirement. Industry stakeholders worry that the requirements will force some pharmacies to stop selling HME, affecting access, especially for beneficiaries in more rural areas. A draft healthcare reform bill in the House proposes exempting pharmacies that sell diabetes supplies, canes and crutches from the accreditation requirement.
Liz Beaulieu
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