Jan 22, 2009
Poses Threat to Medicare Beneficiaries’ Access to Supplies and Pharmacy Counseling

Alexandria, Va. – Pharmacy groups lauded the introduction of legislation by Reps. Marion Berry (D-AR) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) to stop unnecessary regulations that could limit Medicare beneficiaries’ access to durable medical equipment (DME) from neighborhood pharmacies.   

The bill recognizes pharmacists’ role as healthcare providers who offer valuable services to Medicare beneficiaries. Pharmacies are already licensed and highly regulated by state and federal authorities. This legislation would exempt pharmacy suppliers from accreditation requirements for the Medicare Part B durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) program by including pharmacists and pharmacies in the list of healthcare providers that CMS has already exempt from meeting the quality standards for DMEPOS accreditation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued guidance for exempting certain suppliers from the new accreditation requirements. However, CMS decided not to include licensed professional pharmacies and pharmacists.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) representing pharmacists, community pharmacies and state pharmacy organizations nationwide - express their support for the legislation and thank Reps. Berry and Moran for their leadership in helping to find a legislative solution to what could become a patient access problem.

While pharmacy supports CMS’ efforts to reduce waste, fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare, unnecessary pharmacy accreditation is not the solution. Not only are there significant costs associated with the accreditation process that can create huge financial barriers for pharmacies and pharmacists that are already state-licensed, more importantly, the process poses a threat to patients’ access to DME supplies and counseling from their pharmacist. Requiring accreditation for state-licensed, retail pharmacies is duplicative and unnecessary.

"APhA commends Reps. Berry and Moran for taking this important step to ensure that pharmacies and pharmacists are not burdened by undue regulations that could limit or prevent them from playing a critical part in chronic disease management," said John A. Gans, APhA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer. "Without this legislation, patients, particularly in rural areas, may have difficulty obtaining necessary medical equipment and access to pharmacist counseling.”

"Our nation's pharmacists, whether they provide service in a supermarket or elsewhere, are a critical link in our healthcare system by helping Americans with medication counseling and medical equipment guidance unique to an individual's condition," said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer, Food Marketing Institute. "Imposing additional accreditation requirements on pharmacists will hinder patient care and access for thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on their local pharmacist as part of their approach to their personal healthcare needs."

“As the most accessible healthcare providers, pharmacies and pharmacists play a crucial role in the management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and are an essential provider of diabetic supplies and Medicare Part B medications,” said NACDS President and CEO, Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “We appreciate the efforts of Reps. Berry and Moran to help prevent the implementation of regulations that may threaten patients’ access to the crucial supplies and equipment to manage their diseases effectively.”

“America’s most vulnerable citizens - Medicare beneficiaries - rely on pharmacists in every community nationwide to help assure their timely access to and personal guidance on appropriate use of DME supplies,” said Rebecca P. Snead, NASPA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer. "Prompt passage of this legislation is necessary to ensure continued access to pharmacists’ services and to avoid placing an increased burden on patients.”

“Pharmacists have been unfairly signaled out for this DMEPOS accreditation rule, but patients will be the ones who truly lose out if this isn’t changed,” said Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, executive vice president and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), “Representatives Marion Berry and Jerry Moran, who are strong allies of community pharmacies, are offering a solution with H.R. 616. They understand the current policy could prevent patients, especially in underserved areas, from accessing medical supplies that help navigate health challenges such as controlling diabetes.”

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The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 63,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, health systems, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the uniformed services.

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its 1,500 member companies — food retailers and wholesalers — in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate approximately 26,000 retail food stores and 14,000 pharmacies. Their combined annual sales volume of $680 billion represents three-quarters of all retail food store sales in the United States. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 companies from more than 50 countries. FMI’s associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) represents traditional drug stores,
supermarkets, and mass merchants with pharmacies. Its more than 160 chain member companies
include regional chains with a minimum of four stores to national companies. NACDS members
also include more than 1,000 suppliers of pharmacy and front-end products, and 85 international
members representing 28 countries. Chains operate 39,000 pharmacies, and employ a total of
more than 2.5 million employees, including 118,000 pharmacists. They fill more than 2.5 billion
prescriptions yearly, and have annual sales of over $750 billion. For more information about
NACDS, visit www.NACDS.org.

The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) promotes leadership, sharing, learning, and policy exchange among pharmacy leaders nationwide, and provides education and advocacy to support pharmacists, patients, and communities working together to improve public health. NASPA was founded in 1927 as the National Council of State Pharmacy Association Executives (NCSPAE).   

The National Community Pharmacists Association, founded in 1898, represents
the nation’s community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000
pharmacies. The nation’s independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises,
and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription
medicines. To learn more go to www.ncpanet.org.