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Alexandria, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association’s Innovation Center has announced the formation of the Independent Community Pharmacy Consortium for Government Engagement. This new initiative unites pharmacy services administrative organizations, wholesale distributors, and pharmacy management system vendors to streamline the participation of independent pharmacies in public health programs.
Independent community pharmacies, which played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, are taking proactive measures to bolster their readiness for future health crises. By creating a network of nearly 19,000 independent pharmacies, the consortium aims to enhance cooperation with public health agencies and ensure equitable access to vital healthcare services in underserved rural and urban areas.
“Our independent community pharmacies are an indispensable part of the health care and public health infrastructure, providing essential services to those who need them most,” said Kurt Proctor, President of the NCPA Innovation Center. “This innovative partnership reinforces our sector’s readiness to respond swiftly when the nation calls.”
During the pandemic, over 12,000 independent pharmacies contributed to federal response efforts, including administering vaccines, providing testing, distributing masks, and dispensing therapeutics. However, many community pharmacies could not participate due to limited engagement channels. The new consortium addresses this gap by fostering a unified approach to public health collaboration, creating more opportunities for pharmacies to serve their communities during emergencies.
The consortium’s founding members include AlignRx, Cardinal Health, Cencora, Epic, McKesson, and Pharmacy First. These organizations will coordinate their affiliated pharmacies to provide government agencies with an efficient “easy button” during public health emergencies.
This initiative ensures independent pharmacies can more effectively deliver critical services while simplifying coordination for public health authorities.
For more details about the consortium, visit www.ncpa.org/consortium.
