The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has a new resource for state pharmacy associations who need policy and legal help.
The new NCPA State Panel of Experts “features an array of demonstrated experts in today’s most relevant legislative, regulatory and legal issues,” the organization said in a Jan. 29 announcement. “Areas of focus include ERISA [Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974] and health plan benefit design, enforcement of PBM [pharmacy benefit manager] regulations and other legal issues, Medicaid programs, drug pricing and supply chain issues, and communications and grassroots support.”
“Whether they’re fighting to change the pharmacy payment model and abusive PBM practices, pushing to advance pharmacists’ ability to practice at the top of their license, or serving the interests of their members in any other way, state pharmacy associations across the country do remarkable work, especially considering the limited resources and bandwidth they may have,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA. “In addition to our federal and regulatory efforts, NCPA has also historically invested in state efforts to support independent pharmacy. We’re pleased to be adding this more formalized, free tool to support the work of our state colleagues.”
The organization added that the State Panel of Experts is a “complimentary addition to the support already offered by NCPA’s state government affairs team.” State associations in need of assistance can complete a brief intake survey, which “will be reviewed by NCPA staff to confirm scope and expert availability and, upon approval, NCPA will coordinate next steps directly with the selected expert and the relevant association.”
