Dear Colleague,

Health care reform legislation may be on life support, but NCPA is making progress to ensure that key components of it critical to community pharmacy survive. A case in point: DME accreditation.

Dear Colleague,

We're been getting widespread anecdotal reports for weeks now that independents can't get generic Valtrex (valacyclovir) through wholesalers, but the mega-chains are buying it directly from Ranbaxy, the manufacturer. (If you have evidence of this, please send it to me).

Dear Colleague,

Inevitably, Haiti is fading from page one in our newspapers and the top story on the evening news. The enormous spike in charitable contributions is falling. The critical needs of the Caribbean nation, however, will endure for months, if not years, to come.

Dear Colleague,

"Take a deep breath." That's the best advice coming out of the capital this week about the fate of health care reform legislation. Close behind is, "Don't believe any predictions until you've taken that deep breath—or three."

Dear Colleague,

On Capitol Hill it's crunch time for health care reform as negotiations between House and Senate Democratic leaders and White House officials, including President Obama, seem to be heading to a conclusion. Details, especially on the "smaller" provisions, are scant so far. But among those smaller provisions are a number of critical importance to community pharmacists and their patients.

Dear Colleague,

We're preparing to launch a worthy initiative next week that potentially can bring new customers to your pharmacy while protecting the environment: a medication return program.

Dear Colleague,

This holiday season there is much that community pharmacy can be thankful for—or at the very least encouraged by. I certainly know times are tough for the 15 million unemployed Americans, and there are pharmacy owners who are struggling, too. I know too that I'm a perpetual optimist, but sometimes the problems do seem to over shadow the progress.

Dear Colleague,

We received some very important news from the Pentagon yesterday when it issued an interim final rule designating pharmacies as providers for H1N1, seasonal flu, and pneumonia vaccinations under its TRICARE program, which covers 9.5 million patients. The policy change is effective immediately. It is expected to be fully implemented later this month, and brings TRICARE in line with other insurers that have covered pharmacist-administered vaccinations for years.

Dear Colleague,

This morning I had separate face-to-face meetings with two of the most influential legislators in Congress: Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the House majority leader, and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Hoyer is the second-ranking Democrat in the House after Speaker Pelosi. Waxman leads one of the three House committees that crafted the health care reform bill (H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act) that passed the House last month. Accompanying me in the meeting with Hoyer was Howard Schiff, executive director of the Maryland Pharmacists Association, and John Coster, NCPA sr. v.p. for government affairs.

Dear Colleague,

Last Monday brought two very positive developments at the FTC regarding its investigation of the CVS Caremark merger and oversight of PBMs in general. Namely, NCPA leadership met FTC Chairman Jon Liebowitz about the investigation and, later, President Obama nominated two new commissioners, including Julie Brill, a staunch consumer advocate who has kept a keen eye on PBMs over her distinguished public service career.

Dear Colleague,

Communicating with diverse audiences about our role in the health care system is critical as the reform debate in Washington now moves from the House to the Senate. Hoops, hurdles, and pitfalls abound. When—or even if—legislation will hit the President's desk isn't knowable right now.

Dear Colleague,

You've told us that many of you are striving to help your prescribers and patients cope with the shortages of Tamiflu suspension by compounding it from capsules. You're struggling to get Ora-Sweet and cherry syrup, but most of all you're struggling with PBMs that are not allowing some claims to be processed for payment and/or not reimbursing you for compounding the vitally needed medication.

Dear Colleague,

At our annual convention in New Orleans last week, I asked for help: Help in increasing the ranks of our members; help in increasing our grassroots strength; and help in increasing contributions to our PAC and LDF. I also asked for help in launching our first Pharmacist Action Day on Capitol Hill.