TAMPA, Fla. — Care Pharmacies has joined the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) as a founding corporate member.
NASP said Tuesday that its founding members represent all practice areas in the industry, including specialty pharmacies, pharmaceuticals companies, health care services, group purchasing organizations and manufacturers.
"We are excited to join NASP in its mission to improve patient outcomes," Michael Wysong, chief executive officer of Linthicum, Md.-based Care Pharmacies, said in a statement. "Our strength in the specialty pharmacy space coupled with NASP’s desire to support specialty pharmacy through its professional certification programs made our partnership a natural fit."
A member-owned and operated cooperative of community and specialty pharmacies, Care Pharmacies currently has more than 85 locations. The company was recognized by the National Retail Federation as the nation’s sixth-fastest growing retailer in 2012.
After expanding its store base by more than 50% in 2011, Care Pharmacies added another 15 locations in 2012. And with the addition of new pharmacies, the company has extended its footprint to encompass eight states — including New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont — as well as Washington, D.C.
"We are honored and excited to welcome the support from Care Pharmacies as a founding member and their commitment to building an association that has a strong vision and an overall goal of bridging the gaps in our industry to improve patient outcomes," stated Gary Cohen, NASP Founder and CEO. "We believe strongly that collaboration is essential to address current challenges and identify opportunities for the future."
Launched last fall, the nonprofit NASP represents specialty pharmacy professionals in all practice settings and aims to establish a strong voice in the specialty pharmacy industry by improving communication among stakeholders via forums for members to network and collaborate on a national level. NASP describes its mission as providing educational programs, certification curriculum and professional networking forums for specialty pharmacy health care professionals to promote the safe, appropriate use of specialty medications and improve clinical and economic outcomes for patients. Through the Specialty Pharmacy Education Center (SPEC), NASP offers education needed to earn and maintain professional certification through the Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board (SPCB).
