NCPA Statement On Senate Bill Delaying Tamper Resistant Pad Rule

Bill Will Delay The Tamper Resistant Pad Guidelines for Pharmacies Under

The Medicaid Program Until March 31, 2008

Last night the U.S. Senate passed S.2085, the Patient and Pharmacy Protection Act of 2007, which establishes a six-month delay for the tamper resistant pad guidelines for Medicaid prescription drugs scheduled to be implemented starting October 1. National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive Vice President and CEO Bruce Roberts, RPh, issued the following statement in response to Senate action:

"In just a few short days Medicaid patients will see serious disruptions in access to prescription drugs, if this legislation is not enacted. It is imperative that the House act swiftly to pass this important bill. The six months reprieve will allow for a smoother transition for an important policy goal that community pharmacies support-eliminating fraud in the Medicaid program."

Many in the health care community, along with NCPA are seeking a delay due to the logistical hardships this would cause under the current timeframe. S.2085 achieves that objective as a result of the strong leadership of its cosponsors Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Norm Coleman (R-Minn), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas). In the House, Rep. Charles Wilson (D-Ohio) has been leading a similar effort to get the delay passed.

The National Community Pharmacists Association, founded in 1898, represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 pharmacies. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines. For more information go to www.ncpanet.org .