The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is offering a "Diabetes Supply Center" through Pharmacist e-Link™ at www.pharmacistelink.com/accu-chek. The Web site is designed to provide pharmacists with the information needed to best serve patients with diabetes, while at the same time make diabetic supplies a viable part of their business. The site helps pharmacists navigate the regulatory process for competitive bidding, accreditation or surety bonds; provides business tools; articles catering to pharmacists, the latest news, expert opinion forums (blogging); and includes a regular newsletter.

"Many independent community pharmacies are caught between the need to serve their patients with diabetes and navigating an excessive amount of government regulation and costs if they want to continue selling medical supplies such as diabetes testing strips," said NCPA President Holly Whitcomb Henry, RPh. "NCPA is proud to partner with Roche Diagnostics to help community pharmacies better confront all of these challenges through the wide array of information found at the Diabetes Supply Center on Pharmacist e-Link. This online tool will not only benefit your business, but most importantly your patients."

Luc Vierstraete, Head of Roche Diagnostics Care North America added, "The role of pharmacists continues to grow and evolve and Roche recognizes their important role in the health care community. Patients look to their pharmacists for help with their personal health care management, as well as the delivery of health care education. We are proud to partner with NCPA and applaud its efforts toward improved patient outcomes."

An American Diabetes Association study of 2007 found 17.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in America at a cost of $174 billion. The average patient spends approximately $2,500 at community pharmacies for diabetes medications and supplies. Those numbers dictate that community pharmacies are able to comply with all the regulations and also incorporate the best practices to their business model to ensure their patients' interests are best served. The Diabetes Supply Center is a one-stop location for all of the relevant information that is constantly updated.

Launched in 2003, Pharmacist e-Link^TM, www.pharmacistelink.com, is the preferred online resource for pharmacists. Pharmacist e-Link provides pharmacists in all practice settings with the latest news and product information, free continuing education, professional tools and resources, and business opportunities. A service of the National Community Pharmacists Association, Pharmacist e-Link now reaches more than 50,000 subscribers with twice weekly customized e-mail messaging and other services.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA®) represents America's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 community pharmacies, pharmacy franchises, and chains. Together they represent an $84 billion health-care marketplace, employ over 300,000 full-time employees, and dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines.

Roche Diabetes Care is a pioneer in the development of blood glucose monitoring systems and a global leader for diabetes management systems and services. For more than 30 years, Roche has been committed to helping people with diabetes live lives that are as normal and active as possible and has been helping healthcare professionals manage their patients' condition in an optimal way. Today, the ACCU-CHEK portfolio offers people with diabetes and healthcare professionals innovative products, services and comprehensive solutions for convenient, efficient and effective diabetes management—from blood glucose monitoring through information management to insulin delivery. The ACCU-CHEK brand encompasses blood glucose meters, infusion pumps, lancing and data management systems. For more information, please visit accu-chek.com.