Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Benson, AZ Earns Community Pharmacy Accreditation from the Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation

Press Release

Medicine Shoppe International and the Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation (CPPA) today announced that its Benson, AZ location has received community pharmacy accreditation. Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, a Cardinal Health company, is one of the largest franchisers of community pharmacies in the United States.

Community pharmacy accreditation by CPPA signifies to patients, payers and providers that the pharmacy is recognized for an advanced level of patient care services, quality, and safety. The voluntary accreditation process required Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Benson, AZ, to demonstrate compliance with a comprehensive set of practice standards. During the consultative process, CPPA evaluated the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Benson, AZ, on practice management, patient care services, and quality improvement.

“During the accreditation process our eyes were opened many times as to why this process was so important to our pharmacy practice,” said Marla Trepanier, RPh, owner, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Benson, AZ. “We learned the importance of strengthening our current mission statement, policies and procedures and having all our employees trained better on these. We also changed our way of thinking about our place in our community's healthcare landscape, which led us to implement new community healthcare programs and to reach out to the community in different ways. I feel that our overall standard of care has increased since we have started this process.”

“Medicine Shoppe International is very proud to see one of our outstanding pharmacies earn the community pharmacy accreditation,” said John Fiacco, RPh, vice president of Medicine Shoppe International. “The Benson Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy’s commitment to a high level of service and patient care is showcased daily in their store, so this accreditation is an ideal way to recognize a true leader in the industry.”

CPPA recognizes pharmacy practices for providing patient care services that improve health outcomes and contribute to lower health care costs. The CPPA mission, unique among accreditors, is to raise the level of pharmacy-delivered patient care services through accreditation and thus, serve the public health.

“Pharmacies that can provide an advanced level of patient care services are a necessary part of the evolving health care system,” said Lynnae M. Mahaney, BSPharm, Executive Director, Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation. “By achieving CPPA community pharmacy accreditation, Medicine Shoppe Arizona demonstrates to patients it provides a high level of patient care as well as a commitment to consistent care, quality, and accountability.”

CPPA is a partnership established by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) to oversee accreditation of pharmacy practice sites. CPPA develops pharmacy practice standards and accredits those pharmacy practices that meet the accreditation criteria.

For more information about the CPPA accreditation process, including standards, a self-assessment tool, and application materials, visit http://pharmacypracticeaccredit.org.

About the Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation

The Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation (CPPA), a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit organization, was launched in 2012 as a partnership among the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) to create national, voluntary accreditation programs that meet the public’s need for specific, predictable, and measurable pharmacy-based patient care services. CPPA offers the general public and users of pharmacy services a means of identifying pharmacy practices that satisfy the accreditation criteria and are focused on advancing patient care, safety and quality. For more information, visit http://pharmacypracticeaccredit.org.

About Medicine Shoppe International

Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. (MSI), a Cardinal Health Company, is distinguished for its commitment to providing expert, personalized health care. MSI is one of the largest franchisors of independent community pharmacies in the U.S. with over 500 Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy** locations across the United States, and more than 200 international pharmacies.

** MSI acquired Medicap Pharmacies Incorporated in 2003, which franchises independent community pharmacies in the U.S. under the Medicap Pharmacy trade name.

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $103 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and improving quality. Ranked #26 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com and @CardinalHealth on Twitter.

The Cardinal Health Pharmacy Accreditation Support program supports a pharmacy’s efforts to satisfy the requirements for the Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation (CPPA).