Local pharmacist lobbies in Washington
Lake Ozark joined a nationwide
effort to preserve patient access to compounded medications as part of
the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) 2013
Compounders on Capitol Hill 19th annual conference and legislative
event, held June 1-4, 2013.
Hagan and more
than 515 community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy
students either traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with their federal
House and Senate delegations in face-to-face meetings or sent in
letters as part of a virtual campaign.
“This
trip gave us a chance to speak directly to members of Congress and
voice concerns on behalf of our patients, whose access to pharmacy
compounds directly impacts their health care,” Hagan said. “Some of our
profession’s most active pharmacists gathered in our nation’s capital
to take the voice of compounding to the Hill.”
“Compounding
pharmacists came to Washington to speak with their Senator and
Congressional representatives about several specific issues that
directly affect their patients,” said IACP President Wade Siefert, RPh,
FIACP. “We are particularly concerned that the new Senate legislation
(S.959) as currently written could impede our patients’ access to
pharmacy compounding. We are working closely with our respective state
representation, and the Senate HELP Committee to resolve issues with the
proposed legislation.”
“These visits to
Congress came at a particularly critical time for compounding pharmacies
across the country and for the patients whom they serve. Our IACP
members are mindful of the terrible tragedy that occurred last year with
the New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak. We never want
to see another situation like this, again,” said IACP Executive Vice
President & CEO David G. Miller, RPh. “We also believe it’s vital
that patients and practitioners continue to have access to compounded
medications prepared by licensed pharmacists who are following the
necessary guidelines and who are helping patients and practitioners with
personalized medication solutions each and every day.”
No comments:
Post a Comment