CDC Forum Emphasizes Pharmacy's Key Role in Public Health

PRESS RELEASE

NACDS lauds CDC for highlighting pharmacy’s impact in improving patient health

Arlington, Va. (October 22, 2014) — Recognizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for highlighting the key role of pharmacy in improving patient health, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) commended the CDC for their pharmacy-focused public health forum which took place yesterday at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

The CDC’s Public Health Grand Rounds is a monthly webcast created to foster discussion on major public health issues. The October program, “How pharmacists can improve our nation’s health,” highlighted the expanded role of pharmacists in the healthcare delivery system. During yesterday's Grand Rounds forum, pharmacists in the public health sector, academia and pharmacy organizations provided presentations that demonstrated the role of pharmacists in helping to improve health outcomes, including pharmacists’ role in collaborative and team-based care models and how pharmacists help improve medication adherence for patients with chronic diseases.

“We appreciate the CDC highlighting pharmacy’s continued and expanding role in the healthcare delivery system during the Grand Rounds webcast,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “As healthcare professionals, pharmacists serve an important role as part of a patient’s health care team, especially those with chronic conditions, who look to their pharmacists not only for the dispensing of their much-needed medications, but also how to take those medications correctly.”

“Pharmacists are widely trusted and extremely valued by patients, making them uniquely positioned to provide patient care services amid the changing landscape of healthcare,” said Anderson.

Each CDC Grand Rounds session focuses on key challenges related to a specific health topic, and explores cutting-edge scientific evidence and potential impact of different interventions. The Grand Rounds sessions also highlight how CDC and its partners are already addressing these challenges and discuss the recommendations for future research and practice.

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NACDS represents traditional drug stores and supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate more than 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS’ 125 chain member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies. Chains employ more than 3.8 million individuals, including 175,000 pharmacists. They fill over 2.7 billion prescriptions yearly, and help patients use medicines correctly and safely, while offering innovative services that improve patient health and healthcare affordability. NACDS members also include more than 800 supplier partners and nearly 40 international members representing 13 countries. For more information, visit www.NACDS.org.