Outgoing NACDS Chairman of the Board and Senior Vice President, Pharmacy, Health and Wellness, Albertsons Companies, Mark Panzer, described NACDS’ focus on waging creative, proactive, and ever-more-sophisticated campaigns on crucial issues confronting the pharmaceutical industry.

In concert with NACDS President and CEO Steve Anderson, Panzer detailed NACDS’ advocacy for an approach to direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee relief put forward by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. The measures would help close a loophole that leads to unpredictable and unfair reimbursement for pharmacies and increases patients’ out-of-pocket prescription-drug costs.

“We are being asked to do more without being adequately compensated for the work and patient care we provide,” Panzer said. “We need to continue to highlight this every chance we get. We need to work towards solutions that enhance patient care and outcomes, while at the same time compensating retail pharmacy at rates that are fair and equitable.”

He added, “Over the past decade-plus, NACDS has been putting more points on the board. But over the past couple of years we all knew that we had to kick it up a notch or two. The stakes always seem to rise.”

Referring to the popular book Good to Great by Jim Collins, Panzer said, “When you hear about the campaigns that NACDS is waging, on DIR fee reform, reimbursement, scope of business or practice, and opioid-abuse prevention, that is Good to Great in action.”

Summarizing observations from his term as NACDS chairman, Panzer said to NACDS chain and supplier members: “Commit to your company’s success. Commit to the industry’s success. Commit to your success. Commit to the success of the customers and patients we serve together. Definitely commit to NACDS, because NACDS is committed to you.”

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