MEDIA RELEASE

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) has officially cosponsored S. 274, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2011.

This National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)-endorsed bill highlights pharmacy’s growing role as healthcare providers and showcases pharmacy’s pivotal position in the healthcare delivery system.

S. 274 seeks to enhance pharmacy’s ability to partner with their patients on counseling and medication therapy management (MTM) services with the goal of increasing medication adherence.

Medication non-adherence – or the failure to comply with a prescribed prescription medication regimen – is a $290 billion healthcare challenge.

Medication non-adherence costs the United States billions a year due to increased hospitalizations, emergency rooms visits, and additional doctors’ appointments.

Pharmacy – the face of neighborhood healthcare – is committed to working with state and federal officials, like Sen. Inouye to improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs through increasing medication adherence.

NACDS thanks Sen. Inouye for cosponsoring the bipartisan Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act, and looks forward to working with him to advance the bill on Capitol Hill.

For more information on pharmacy’s role in medication adherence or to hear about NACDS’ commitment to improving patient health and reducing healthcare costs, contact Stephen E. Schatz at (703) 837-4196.