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Audio Recording of NCPA Conference Call on Introduction of the "Saving Our Community Pharmacy" Bill is Now Available

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 25, 2007)—The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) held a telephone news conference with Reps. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) to discuss the introduction of the Saving Our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007, that will change the flaws in the final rule for Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement for generic prescription drugs. Click here for an audio file recording of the call.

The CMS final rule issued on July 6 utilizes the "Average Manufacturer Price"-based reimbursement formula for Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement for generic prescription drugs. According to a Government Accountability Office report, this formula will compensate pharmacies on average 36 percent below their acquisition cost to purchase generic prescription drugs under Medicaid.

The bill, to be introduced today by Reps. Boyda and Emerson, redefines the benchmark for pharmacy reimbursement so it accurately reflects pharmacy acquisition costs; excludes all sales from mail order facilities and pharmacy benefit manager price concessions and rebates that are not provided to retail pharmacy; and includes provisions to drive generic utilization that would increase government savings.

The speakers on the recording in order of their appearances and focus of their presentations were:

• Charles Sewell (Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, NCPA) provided an overview of community pharmacies and the services they provide and described the new AMP regulation and its negative impact on community pharmacies.
  
  
• Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.)
  
  
• Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.)
  
  
  • Each congresswoman described her district, her experience with health care and pharmacies along with thoughts regarding the new bill and the impact on constituents if their community pharmacies no longer offered Medicaid services or closed due to extremely low reimbursement.
  
  
• Paul Kelly (Vice President, Government Affairs, National Association of Chain Drug Stores) shared his support of community pharmacies and the legislation introduced by Reps. Boyda and Emerson.
  
  
• Brian Caswell (Wolkar Drug, Baxter Springs, KS) detailed the challenges he faces in one of the poorest areas in America with a high Medicaid population.