Miami, FL (1888PressRelease)
October 10, 2009 - In a recent unprecedented meeting, Good Neighbor Pharmacies presented health care concerns to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office in Tampa. While Senator Nelson remained in Washington for the health care debate, leaders of the Good Neighbor Independent Pharmacy Group discussed a series of issues with Nelson’s regional representatives Digna C. Alvarez, and Shahra Anderson.
Good Neighbor Pharmacies represent independent owners with the Good Neighbor Pharmacy (GNP) brand in conjunction with the Amerisource-Bergen distribution chain and local community leaders. Ron Brooks, regional sales manager for Amerisource-Bergen, pointed out that there is no other group that is so close to health care as are the independent pharmacists. “Our group of independent pharmacists can help contain the cost of health care. We help patients by providing advice without adding costs. Independent pharmacists need to provide input on what works best for the patients—and with each pharmacy having contact with over 5,000 patients—we are a growing health care force”, said Brooks.
Dan Fucarino of Carrolwood Pharmacy inTampa who hosted and organized the lengthy session presented a forceful message with his fellow pharmacists from around the state regarding health care issues now before federal legislators. “We are very passionate about health care. Our independent team of over 3000 Good Neighbor Pharmacies is involved and activated. Good Neighbor Pharmacies are the direct line to the patients by the tens of thousands each day. Patients see us far more often than they do the doctors, and we are more approachable than any segment in health care,” Fucarino said.
The first set of issues centered on the requirement of mail order pharmacies, new expensive accreditation requirements, legislation for servicing Medicare patients, and the stress of over legislation requiring large investment from pharmacies for durable medical equipment. Frank Maluda of Romanos Pharmacy in Coral Springs pointed out that legislators should be very cautious about any requirements in new health care reform requiring the use of mail order pharmacies. Malude said, “Local pharmacies see our patients frequently and many require immediate attention. The number of times we need to help patients because their mail-order prescription is delayed impacts my business. We do all we can to help all patients and legislative requirements for mail order pharmacies are not in the best interest of the patients.”
Leke Alli of Bears Pharmacy in Tampa expressed concern about new requirements for expensive accreditation at the national level in addition to the Florida legislative requirements for servicing Medicare patients. He pointed out that he and others are extensively monitored by Florida regulations and new federal laws for durable medical equipment are prime examples of over-legislation. Alli said, “We are already licensed by the state and certified pharmacists are not part of any Federal Medicare or DME issues. The $7000 minimum investment for certification requirements is excessive and squeezes the independent pharmacists.”
Other concerns discussed focused on the need for more oxygen therapy coverage, large chain partnerships with insurance companies, and the new substantial role of independent pharmacies. Theresa Tolle of Baystreet Pharmacy in West Palm Beach spoke on the need for extension of oxygen therapy coverage. Tolle said, “If a patient is on oxygen therapy, Medicare re-imbursement only continues for 3 years. Independent pharmacies are very conscious of the needs of our patients, but since oxygen is a drug—the status as a provider needs to be continued with long-term re-imbursement.” She added, “We are the safety net. We will provide the health care, but we should be reimbursed in any new health care legislation.”
Michael Steiner of Tri-Med Pharmacy in St. Petersburg expressed concerns about new and very large pharmaceutical firms now in partnership with mutually owned insurance companies. Steiner said, “It has been proven by the federal general accounting office, that mail order is the ‘most expensive’ pharmacy supply line. Now these large firms have teamed up with insurance companies and are not keeping pharmacy patients separate from insurance companies. They are doing joint mailing enticements, and they are not adhering to federal anti-trust legislation and are directly contacting customers as part of these monopolistic mergers in the industry. In the agreements with the federal government regarding the mergers, these large companies agreed to keep these companies separate in all aspects—and it is clear they are not doing this with recent communications.”
Nelson rep Shahra Anderson concluded the presentation on a positive note, “We have heard you independent pharmacists. This is in keeping with Senator Nelson’s pledge regarding his priorities regarding health care reforms and their effect on small business, the elderly, and veterans. We thank you for your important input into this health care challenge.”
Pleased with the session, Good Neighbor Pharmacy leaders intend to continue to meet with legislators in Florida and Georgia to provide more feedback on healthcare reform.
For more information, contact:
Patrick Kittoe, Amerisource-Bergen, 407-694-4041
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