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Inside This Issue - News
The prospects for meaningful health care reform are better than at any time since President Clinton’s first term, creating an opportunity for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its allies in community pharmacy to achieve two long-sought-after goals. One of the most notable achievements of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has been its success in the ongoing battle to protect retail pharmacy operators and their patients from potentially devastating cuts in Medicaid reimbursements. On June 17 members of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores will make the case for community pharmacy in a series of meetings with senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill. This quarter CVS Caremark Corp. is slated to begin piloting its Consumer Engagement Engine, a data integration and intelligence solution that is designed to boost prescription drug adherence and effectiveness by providing a comprehensive view of the customer. Though no longer involved in management, Murray Koffler, Shoppers Drug Mart’s (SDM’s) founder and a major shareholder, usually makes a cameo appearance from the floor at the company’s annual meeting. This year was no exception. Rite Aid customers whose English speaking skills are limited can now utilize telephone interpreters to consult with pharmacists in more than 175 languages. Both sides in the closely watched Medicaid average manufacturer price (AMP) case have asked the federal judge deciding the matter to delay further action until July 1. The qualities that have enabled USA Drug to thrive as a regional chain were much in evidence at the opening of a relocated store here. Washington state officials say they will continue to seek a reduction in the state’s Medicaid prescription reimbursement rate — only not as severe a cut as was originally proposed.
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