Tag: National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
NCPA says PBM reform provisions included in pending CR
December 18, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association says that a continuing resolution that Congress is readying includes provisions for two of its top priorities for reforming pharmacy benefit managers: it would require PBMs to reimburse pharmacies at national average drug acquisition cost plus the state’s fee for service dispensing fee for all Medicaid managed care programs in all 50 states; and it would require CMS to establish reasonable and relevant contract terms,...
The reluctant pharmacist: Tripp Logan seeks to make health care accessible
November 22, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
CHARLESTON, Mo. – Ask Richard “Tripp” Logan, the Independent Pharmacist of the Year, how he got into pharmacy, and he’ll tell you “reluctantly.”
“I grew up in the (family) practice, but I had plans to do other things when I left,” said Logan, a second-generation pharmacist with L&S Pharmacy in Charleston, Mo. “I gradually got kind of roped back into coming home and I ended up with a degree in pharmaceuticals and came back to our practice...
NCPA applauds judge’s ruling in CVS case
November 18, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association applauds a decision by a federal judge in Arizona in a class action case against CVS that a court, not an arbitrator, should decide whether a plaintiff’s claims against the company must be sent to arbitration. Judge John J. Tuchi of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona agreed with Osterhaus Pharmacy that a provision in its contract with CVS that all disputes must be decided by an arbitrator is unconscionable,...
In brief: NCPA Digest shows ‘ominous pressure,’ Parachute integrates with athenahealth, COPD Action Alliance launches
October 30, 2024HME News Staff
COLUMBUS – Independent pharmacy represented a $94.9 billion marketplace in 2023, with gross profit margin falling to 19.7%, its lowest point in the 10-year lookback window of the NCPA Digest.
This reflects factors like low or below-cost third-party reimbursements and inflation (which showed up in wages and overhead costs), according to the NCPA.
Other highlights from the 2024 NCPA Digest include:
Independent community pharmacies represent 35% of all retail pharmacies...
NCPA report shows ‘ominous amount of pressure’
October 28, 2024HME News Staff
COLUMBUS – Independent pharmacy represented a $94.9 billion marketplace in 2023, with gross profit margin falling to 19.7%, its lowest point in the 10-year lookback window of the NCPA Digest. This reflects factors like low or below-cost third-party reimbursements and inflation (which showed up in wages and overhead costs), according to the NCPA. Other highlights from the 2024 NCPA Digest include:
Independent community pharmacies represent 35% of all retail pharmacies in the United...
NCPA awards Pharmacist of the Year, other awards
October 28, 2024HME News Staff
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The National Community Pharmacists Association announced the winners of several awards at its recent annual conference, including Richard “Tripp” Logan, L&S Pharmacy in Charleston, Mo., as the 2024 NCPA Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year. The annual award, which is given to a pharmacist who exhibits exemplary professional leadership, service to community and commitment to independent pharmacy, is named in honor of Willard B. Simmons, a former...
In brief: Geriatric Medical buys DDP, ResMed talks strategy, NCPA launches new PBM ad
October 2, 2024HME News Staff
WOBURN, Mass. – GMSS, the parent company of Geriatric Medical & Surgical Supply, has acquired DDP Medical Supply, significantly expanding its footprint and forming what it says is “the nation’s leading medical supply distribution networks focused on chronic, post-acute and home care providers.”
Both companies will maintain their unique brands and market-focused solutions, while benefiting from increased scale, enhanced distribution infrastructure and expanded service...
NCPA releases new PBM ad
September 30, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has released a new digital ad as part of its ongoing campaign to push lawmakers to enact pharmacy benefit manager reform. In the ad, Bil and Shanon Schmidtknecht of Wisconsin speak out against PBMs after their 22-year-old son, Cole, went to get his Advair prescription refilled at a chain pharmacy early this year — a medicine he had been taking for a decade — and was told it was suddenly more than $500. He had to make...
In brief: e-prescribe push, PBM guardrails & data collection efforts
September 6, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare is bringing together a group of e-prescribing vendors to develop resources, including an upcoming webinar, to educate suppliers and other key audiences.
In the group: Brightree, DMEscripts, Parachute Health and Tomorrow Health.
“Our board members and industry partners have invested heavily in e-prescribing transformation as a means to lower operating costs and to improve delivery of care and patient safety for all providers,” said John Brady,...
NCPA urges CMS to implement PBM guardrails
September 5, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is pushing CMS to issue fair and common-sense contracting guardrails between Medicare Part D plans/pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies. Medicare Part D makes up 36% of the average independent pharmacy’s business and current contracting practices that reimburse pharmacies less than their costs to acquire medications, dispense prescriptions, and earn a reasonable profit are having a disproportionately negative effect...