Latest news with #ChadWorz
Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
ASCP and NCPA Announce Joint Recommendations to Manufacturers to Effectuate Medicare's Maximum Fair Price (MFP)
ALEXANDRIA, VA / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) have announced joint recommendations to pharmaceutical manufacturers aimed at helping to support pharmacies facing material cash flow concerns under Medicare's Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP). The two organizations, both of which represent pharmacists committed to high-quality care for all patients including Medicare beneficiaries, expressed concerns about the impact of the MFP, which is part of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP). This was included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and enables Medicare to directly negotiate the prices of certain single-source medications without generic or biosimilar competition. CMS selected 10 drugs for an initial round of negotiations in 2023. These included medications for diabetes, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease. These negotiated prices, the highest that a Medicare Part D beneficiary or plan sponsor will have to pay for targeted medications, are slated to go into effect on January 1, 2026. While ASCP and NCPA fully support ensuring fair medication prices for Medicare beneficiaries, an analysis conducted for NCPA found that under MFP, pharmacies may face manufacturer refund payment delays of more than 21 days, beyond the 14-day Medicare prompt pay standard. At the same time, pharmacies could lose nearly $11,000 in weekly cash flow and $43,000 annually. Over 93% of independent pharmacies surveyed by NCPA state they may not be able to stock some medications targeted for price reductions because of cash flow and reimbursement below cost; and most LTC pharmacies anticipate closures, staff layoffs, service reductions, and medications shortages stemming from the MDPNP. Pharmacists at greatest risk for these negative impacts include sole proprietors in rural and urban areas, pharmacies that heavily rely on prescription revenue, and long-term care pharmacies. To address these concerns, ASCP and NCPA made several key recommendations to manufacturers, including the following: 'Most independent pharmacies and long-term care pharmacies care for populations that are heavily dependent on Medicare. It's critical that they are compensated in a fair and timely manner. Otherwise, they will face massive cash-flow problems and not be able to provide prescription services to their Medicare patients. A recent NCPA survey found that 93 percent of independent pharmacists would consider opting out of the program unless those concerns are addressed. That would be a disaster for Medicare beneficiaries and the program itself,' said Doug Hoey, NCPA's CEO. 'The IRA presents unprecedented threats to long-term care pharmacy as well as new opportunities to build a constructive, transactional relationship between pharmacists and manufacturers,' said Chad Worz. 'In developing and presenting these recommendations, we are hoping to send a fair and equitable framework that rekindles the historical partnership between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies. This, first and foremost, benefits patients while also protecting the sustainability of pharmacies and innovators. We look forward to continuing our constructive conversations with impacted manufacturers.' ASCP and NCPA urge manufacturers to incorporate these recommendations into their MFP effectuation plans by September 1, 2025, ensuring pharmacies remain viable and patients retain access to essential medications. About ASCP: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care. About NCPA: Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing over 18,900 pharmacies that employ more than 205,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America's most accessible health care providers. Contact Information Melissa Blacketer Senior Director of Communications [email protected] 703-739.1311 SOURCE: ASCP press release
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
ASCP Applauds Introduction of the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS)
Reintroduced Bill Takes Step Toward Pharmacy Provider Status ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 2, 2025 / Today, The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) expressed its strong support for the introduction of the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS) (H.R. 3164) a transformative bill that will formally recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers under Medicare and expand access to essential pharmacy services. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), will allow pharmacists to bill Medicare Part B for testing, treatment, and immunization services related to infectious diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, strep throat, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). ECAPS is a monumental step forward for the pharmacy profession. By enabling pharmacists to provide these services under Medicare, the bill will increase access to timely, cost-effective care, especially for our older adults who rely heavily on LTC pharmacies for their healthcare needs. 'ASCP has long advocated for expanded roles for pharmacists, especially in long-term care settings, and the introduction of ECAPS marks a major milestone in our continued fight to recognize the vital contributions of pharmacists in patient care,' said Chad Worz, PharmD, ASCP's Chief Executive. The bill also proposes a lower reimbursement rate (80% of the Physician Fee Schedule) for pharmacists, offering a cost-effective alternative to physicians. 'Throughout the COVID pandemic, pharmacists were essential to care providing testing, treatment and more than 2/3s of all vaccine administrations. Clearly, pharmacists are key and trusted partners in team-based care,' said Worz. 'ECAPS not only increases access to high-quality care for patients but also allows Medicare to operate more efficiently. It's a win-win-win for patients, providers and the government.' Notably, the bill respects state-level scope of practice laws, ensuring that pharmacists only provide services authorized within their state's regulations. As the bill moves through Congress, ASCP calls on lawmakers to support this critical legislation, empowering pharmacists to continue improving public health and expand access to essential pharmacy services nationwide. About ASCP: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care. ### Contact InformationMelissa Blacketer Senior Director of Communications 703-739.1311 SOURCE: ASCP press release
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New Digital Badge Recognizes Age-Friendly Pharmacists Committed to Improving Care for Older Adults and Lives of Caregivers
Offered by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists in partnership with the Lamy Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 18, 2025 / (March 17, 2025 - Alexandria, VA) The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging (Lamy Center) at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy now offer a digital badge to pharmacists who have demonstrated an understanding and application of the elements of the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement. The 'Age-Friendly Pharmacist' digital badge recognizes pharmacists who have completed training modules on the Age-Friendly 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) and made a commitment to improving the health and well-being of older adults. 'Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care practitioners, and they are perfectly positioned to help older adults gain the most benefit from Age-Friendly care,' said Lamy Center Executive Director Nicole J. Brandt, PharmD, MBA. 'Our program leverages the role pharmacists play in healthy aging and transforming long-term care settings into Age-Friendly Health Systems.' An initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Age-Friendly Health Systems is a movement to help spread the reliable delivery of health care that addresses the unique needs of older adults and enables them to enjoy a better quality of life. 'We believe the 'Age-Friendly Pharmacist' digital badge will validate the skills and elevate the profile of pharmacists practicing the 4Ms of age-friendly care,' said ASCP Chief Executive Chad Worz, PharmD. 'The digital badge identifies the pharmacist as a healthy aging expert, serves as proof of competence, and rewards skills development and lifelong learning.' To be awarded a digital badge, pharmacists must complete three steps consisting of education and training on becoming age-friendly pharmacists, understanding/implementing the 4Ms Framework, and advancing age-friendly care. After completing a final survey, eligible pharmacists will earn a digital badge and can showcase their skills and achievement with the digital badge through social media pages and online profiles. The badge is verified through the Credly digital credentialling platform and offered through the 'Leveraging Pharmacists as Age-Friendly 4Ms Champions' program funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation. To learn more about the 'Age-Friendly Pharmacist' digital badge and this pharmacist-led initiative, visit Age-Friendly Pharmacists. ( #Pharmacist4Ms) ABOUT US American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older people. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care environments. ( The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging (Lamy Center) is dedicated to improving drug therapy for aging adults through innovative research, education, and clinical initiatives. The Lamy Center's mission is to improve the lives of older adults by optimizing medication safety and use. ( The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy was established in 1841 and is ranked 15th out of more than 140 schools of pharmacy by U.S. News & World Report. The School is a thriving center for professional and graduate education, pharmaceutical care, research, and community service. Its faculty create the future of pharmacy by pioneering new roles for pharmacists in advanced clinical practice and conducting cutting-edge research in drug discovery and development, comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes, and disease management. ( ASCP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1982. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to carry out the charitable - including scientific, literary, and educational - purposes of ASCP. (
