News Release

Building a Membership Model for Your Pharmacy Using Point of Care Services

2023-07-27T15:17:55-05:00June 22nd, 2023|Categories: Community Pharmacy, News Release, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , |

Did you miss the meeting on July 18, 2023?  This meeting is now available –

CLICK HERE TO VIEW
AUDIO AVAILABLE

 

Learning Objectives: 

  • Why offer a membership model for your clinical services
  • What to offer in your membership model
  • Point of care testing that you should offer year around
  • How to charge and keep track of your members

Join ACA Corporate Member POCTi for a 1 hour webinar on “Maximizing Pharmacy Profits: Unleashing the Power of Point-of-Care Services in Your Membership Model” and receive more information on how your pharmacy can get started with Point of Care testing.

This activity will not offer CE credit.

Our Panelists:

Dr. Tara Schneider, PharmD. is an experienced pharmacy leader with a demonstrated history of providing and implementing revenue generating clinical. Her mission is to empower pharmacists to maximize the profitability of Point of Care Testing and to improve patient outcomes. She specializes in implementing Point of Care Testing (POCT) services for independent pharmacies across the US. Her vision is to be the trusted source for pharmacists who are ready to advance their knowledge of POCT.

Being an independent pharmacy owner herself, she understands the day to day struggles that pharmacists face. Many pharmacists have great intentions to start a new clinical service line, but lack the time. That is where POCTi has been so impactful. She offers turnkey solutions for compliance, protocols, marketing strategy, implementation, guidance, and ongoing support to generate new revenue while improving patient outcomes through POCT. She believes in meeting her clients where they are in their journey to help them be successful in reaching their goals with POCT.

Dr. Schneider earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. After many years practicing as a clinical hospital pharmacist and pharmacy administrator, she opened a closed door non-dispensing pharmacy that focused on POCT. Her background as a healthcare administrator gave her a deeper knowledge and understanding of compliance, operational requirements, implementation, protocols and procedures that she enjoys sharing with her members.

Chuck Schneider, MBA is the Co-founder of the Point of Care Testing Institute and is the Director of Pharmacy at Cognivue, a neuroscience testing company.

For the past decade, Chuck has worked closely with pharmacists and independent pharmacy owners to help them increase their service lines and profitability.  Prior to joining Cognivue, Chuck was the chief revenue officer at Pharmacy Development Services and more recently at Ananda Professional where he led commercial operations.

Chuck received his MBA from the Thunderbird School of International Management.  Chuck and Tara, live in Lexington, Kentucky.  Together they enjoy running, cooking on Sunday nights, and visiting National Parks.

Maximizing Pharmacy Profits: Unleashing the Power of Point-of-Care Services in Your Membership Model

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ACA COMPOUNDING FACULTY PRESENTS

2023-06-13T12:57:05-05:00June 6th, 2023|Categories: Community Pharmacy, News Release, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , |

Things You Should Know About Preparation For USP Changes

On Monday, June 12, 2023, ACA Compounding Faculty presented an open forum, open to all pharmacy professionals, about preparing for the upcoming USP Changes, how to prepare, what you should know. These changes will go into effect on November 1, 2023.  Will you be READY?

Host:  Ernie Gates, RPh, FACA

Panelists:

  • Denise Frank, RPh, FACA, FAPC
  • Brenda Jensen, CPhT, CNMT, MBA
  • Lisa Ashworth, BS Pharm, RPh, BCSCP, FACA

Recording – CLICK HERE
Audio Only – CLICK HERE

OPEN FORUM

ALL PHARMACY PROFESSIONALS

FREE

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Say that Again? Community Pharmacy’s Role in Identifying Untreated Hearing Loss

2023-05-31T15:55:33-05:00May 12th, 2023|Categories: Community Pharmacy, News Release, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , |

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1 in 6 U.S. adults ages 18 and over reports some trouble hearing — approximately 37.5 million U.S. adults—but less than half (46.0 percent) of them have seen a doctor or other health professional about their hearing or ear problems in the last five years.

Untreated hearing loss significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life and contributes to high health care spending. A JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery study showed that untreated hearing loss was associated with $22,434 higher total health care costs per person over a 10-year period compared with costs for those without hearing loss.

Additionally, untreated hearing loss impacts individual’s quality of life and mental health. It can lead to isolation, and has been associated with serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, dementia, reduced mobility, and falls.

Making hearing health care more accessible and affordable is a public health priority, especially as the number of older adults in the U.S. continues to grow.

While prescription hearing aids have been available for years, NIH data shows that only one in four adults who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them.

To address this public health issue, in October 2021, the FDA formally proposed a rule to establish the new OTC hearing aids category for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Finalized in August 2022, the final rule allows hearing aids within this category to be sold directly to consumers in stores without a medical exam or a fitting by an audiologist.  Overall, among those reporting that they have trouble hearing, nearly two-thirds (62.6 percent) say that they have mild hearing loss, defined as “a little trouble hearing.”

The Role of Community Pharmacy

Community pharmacies are well-positioned to reach these individuals, who may not be aware of the recent availability of OTC hearing aids. OTC hearing aids that are FDA-compliance are usually more affordable than prescription hearing aids and can be FSA/HSA/HRA-eligible.

As the most accessible health care provider, pharmacists should be prepared to answer questions about OTC hearing devices and have the opportunity to discuss hearing screenings for patients during consultations.

Learn how to add a new clinical service to your pharmacy by offering in-store hearing tests and offering OTC hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Hearing aids for more severe hearing loss or for users younger than age 18 remain prescription devices.

Unlocking the OTC Hearing Aid Marketplace

Join ACA Corporate Member Soundwave Hearing for a 30-minute webinar on “Unlocking the OTC Hearing Aid Marketplace” and receive more information on how your pharmacy can get started with their testing and OTC hearing aid solutions.

This activity will not offer CE credit.

Recordings:

Unlocking the OTC Hearing Aid Marketplace

Recordings Available On-Demand

Anthony Florek
President, Soundwave Hearing LLC

Anthony has thirty plus years of medical device Sales and Marketing experience developed at leading medical equipment and consumer product companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Allergan Medical Optics and Beltone (GN Hearing Care). Anthony brings 15 years of experience from the traditional hearing aid industry and leads the development of the business model and value proposition at Soundwave Hearing.

Scroll down to register.

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ACA Members in the NEWS

2022-07-06T13:35:51-05:00July 6th, 2022|Categories: Members In The News, News Release|

Are you an ACA Fellow or Member being recognized, receiving an award, or in the news? Send a photo and the information to linda@acainfo.org so we can share with our members.  We are proud of the accomplishments of all our members.

https://acainfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Alaska-Terri-Hall.jpg
It was a great day for pharmacy in the state of Alaska when Governor Mike Dunleavy signed HB 145 to Expand Pharmacist Authority at Bernie’s Pharmacy. ACA Member, Terri Hall-Klouda, a steadfast champion of pharmacy in Alaska, commented that she was honored that the governor asked to sign at her pharmacy.

We want to extend a very special congratulations to ACA Fellows Dixie and Neil Leikach for winning the Bowl of Hygeia Award and the MPhA Seidman Distinguished Achievement Award from the Maryland Pharmacists Association. We’re so proud of their achievements!

Congratulations to Emeritus Fellow, John Oftebro (’65), and Linda Garrelts MacLean (’78), being honored with the R. Keith Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award at the Washington State Pharmacy Reunion weekend in October 2022.

Congratulations to ACA Members elected to the
2022-2023 Tennessee Pharmacy Association Board of Directors

ACA Fellow

PRESIDENT
Jay Phipps, PharmD, FACVP, FACA
Phipps Pharmacy, Inc.
Pharmacy Gladiator | CEO

______________________________________________________________________________________________


ACA Student Pharmacist Member

PRESIDENT, TENNESSEE SOCIETY OF STUDENT PHARMACISTS (TSSP)
Maya Patel, PharmD Candidate
Belmont University College of Pharmacy

Congratulations to ACA Fellow, Ryan Oftebro and the staff at Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group that was visited by Senator Maria Cantwell, Congresswoman Kim Schrier and State Representative My-Linh Thai to participate in a roundtable to discuss the Senator’s PBM Transparency Act that she has co-sponsored with Senator Charles Grassley. This is a critically important bill that would bring transparency and put a stop to unfair and deceptive business practices carried out by PBMs, which harm patients and small pharmacies. The event was at our new location inside Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center. Jenny Arnold, PharmD, BCPS from the Washington State Pharmacy Association led the discussion and we were joined by pharmacy and patient advocates who helped articulate the need for PBM reform. We have been fighting for this reform for a long time and its very gratifying to see this gaining traction! Thank you Kristine Crawford, Clinton Knight, Erica Sessle and Rod Shutt for your impactful contributions! Special thanks to Matt and Bekah Telew (She/They) for helping host!  LEARN MORE

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2021 ACA Member of the Year Awarded to Vinnie Dam

2022-11-18T12:02:17-06:00February 25th, 2022|Categories: News Release|Tags: |

RIO GRANDE, PR, February 25, 2022: The American College of Apothecaries presented the 2021 ACA Member of the Year Award to Vinnie Dam, PharmD, FACA, FACVP, of Los Angeles, California.

The award, established in 2013, recognizes an ACA Member for exceptional accomplishment and effort in serving his or her community and promoting community pharmacy through mentoring, entrepreneurship, and education, as well as support of the ACA.   The presentation was made during the Opening Session at the College’s 2022 Annual Conference and Expo hosted at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar.

This year’s receipient of the ACA Member of the Year Award, Vinnie Dam, PharmD, FACA, FACVP, truly embodies the ACA entrepreneurial spirit and attitude:

 “Entrepreneurship allows for freedom and flexibility in creating and shaping a company. While entrepreneurs face operational challenges on a daily basis, it’s what makes me excited to come to work. I always liked puzzles growing up, and I feel that being an entrepreneur requires constant utilization of one’s critical thinking skills. If you don’t mind hard work and long hours, and if you’re an innovative thinker who is up for the challenges of the unknown, I highly recommend becoming an entrepreneur.”

In 2017,  Vinnie applied his love for animals and compounding medications to an entrepreneurial path. A co-founder of  MixLab, a customer-driven veterinary compounding pharmacy, Vinnie currently serves as the Chief Pharmacy Officer.

Vinnie earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2003 and received a PharmD in Pharmacy Practice and MS in Regulatory Science from the University of Southern California in 2007.  As a dual ACA and ACVP Fellow, Vinnie has served the organization through serving on committees and encouraging his staff pharmacists to pursue Fellowship in ACA and ACVP.

ACA 2021 Member of the Year Marisol Lopez with Executive Vice President Quentin Srnka

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Documentary Addresses Vaccination Facts, Counters False Information

2021-06-30T09:49:09-05:00June 28th, 2021|Categories: Immunizations, News Release, Public/Community Health|Tags: , , |

Vaccine Documentary

An Education Campaign to Help Understand the Importance of Vaccinations

Much of the medical community, including the World Health Organization, warns that during the COVID-19 pandemic erroneous or incomplete information regarding vaccines for the deadly virus has pervaded the public’s purview, and, consequently contributed to much of the population declining or pausing to get vaccinated. A documentary addresses this public perception by tracing the origins of vaccinations, explaining the science behind it and presenting compelling testimonials. Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus will be aired nationally beginning in July on PBS TV and other outlets.

Watch the trailer of the upcoming documentary, created by Emmy Award winning producer Chris Schueler.

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American College of Apothecaries Announces New Vice-President, Regional Directors

2021-01-13T09:06:44-06:00December 23rd, 2020|Categories: News Release|

New ACA Board

A new Vice-President and four directors have been named to the American College of Apothecaries (ACA) Board of Directors. The ACA Board of Directors is made up of ACA Fellows representing 8 geographical regions of the United States and Canada and Executive Officers.

Elections for board Vice-President and Regional Directors for regions 2, 3, 4, and 8 were conducted in November among the Fellows and Pharmacist Members. Regional Directors will serve three-year terms commencing in 2021. Board officers will be installed at the ACA | ACVP | PPHI Virtual Annual Conference and Expo, February 25-27, 2021

“During these challenging times, we are honored and grateful for the willingness of our newly elected and re-elected board members to serve the College,” said ACA CEO | Executive Vice-President Susan Bartlemay. “Their commitment to independent pharmacy and dedication to our organization is crucial to the success of ACA.”

Suzanne Keyes, PharmD, FACA, IFMCP – Vice President
Suzanne graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy in 1996 and returned to academia in 1999 enrolling in the non-traditional Doctor of Pharmacy pathway offered through the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. In 2004, she graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy, the highest degree offered to pharmacists.

Suzanne has had 20 years’ experience in varied pharmacy settings; retail management for a chain drugstore, nursing home consultant, hospital pharmacist and her current position as the lead functional medicine pharmacist in her compounding pharmacy in Western Oklahoma. Suzanne’s passion to get to the underlying cause of disease is what drove her to pursue advanced education and become the seventh pharmacist in the world to become a certified practitioner through the Institute for Functional Medicine. Suzanne is a Fellow of the American College of Apothecaries and she has been an ACA Regional Director since 2017.

Suzanne has been honored with invitations to speak about functional medicine at the former International Association of Compounding Pharmacists (now Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding) and the National Association of Community Pharmacists (NCPA). In the last few years, Dr. Keyes’ has been interviewed and her practice highlighted online by both Dr. Blair Thielemier (Pharmapreneur Academy; Elevate Pharmacy Summit) and Dr. Alex Barker (The Happy PharmD). In 2016, Dr. Keyes was selected by Ortho Molecular Products as the 2016 “Spotlight Pharmacist of the Year”.

Kimberly Ferguson, RPh, FACA – Region 2 (District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia)
Kim Ferguson is the owner of Kim’s Pharmacy in Waynesville, NC and Metcalf Compounding Pharmacy in Brevard, NC. Kim graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in pharmacy in 1990 and worked at various settings across Western North Carolina before founding Kim’s Pharmacy in 2008 and purchasing Metcalf Compounding Pharmacy in 2017. In addition to her duties at both pharmacies, Kim is also a preceptor for UNC and the pharmacist member of Haywood County Health and Human Services where she serves as Vice Chairperson.

In addition to membership in the Independent Pharmacy Network of North Carolina Association Of Pharmacists and National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA), she has served as Region 2 Director of American College of Apothecaries. Kim has been a Fellow of ACA since 2017.

Robert Harshbarger, III, PharmD, FACA – Region 3 (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin)
Robert completed his undergraduate studies at East Tennessee State University where he graduated with degrees in both Biology and Chemistry. He then attended Mercer University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in 2011 and graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Robert started his career as a staff pharmacist for Custom Compounding Centers of America (CCCA). He currently serves as CEO and lead formulating chemist of Premier Pharmacy Inc in Kingsport, Tennessee. He has successfully assisted both CCCA and Premier Pharmacy in becoming PCAB accredited as well as assisting both pharmacies through the NABP VPP process. As a member of his local chamber of commerce’s government relations committee, he serves as a liaison between the local pharmacy community and Tennessee elected officials on the local, state and federal level.

As a second generation pharmacist, Robert has seen the profession of pharmacy change immensely over time, especially within the last 5 years. He has been fortunate enough to practice in a compounding only and hybrid pharmacy setting as well as cash only and insurance based business models. Robert relies on his discernment and personal experiences as well as the experiences of others to ensure he defends his pharmacy clinically and ethically. Over the past 10 years, he has worked diligently towards ensuring that the art and science of compounding is defended in the same manner. This is Robert’s first term on the ACA Board of Directors.

Nicholas R. Smock, PharmD, MBA, FACA – Region 4 (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
Nick Smock received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Missouri in 1983, his Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1990, and his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2002. He serves as the President and CEO of the Pharmacy Buying Association (PBA), a pharmacy member co-op, since 1998 and previously served as Vice President, COO, CFO and Director of Contracts. Nick spent several years as a practicing pharmacist prior to joining PBA/TrueCare. Nick has served as an ACA Regional Director since 2017.

Ben Smith, RPh, FACA – Region 8 (Canada)
Ben Smith is the owner of a dozen pharmacies scattered throughout small towns in central Ontario. He graduated from pharmacy school at the University of Toronto in 1966 and purchased his first pharmacy in 1979 in a small community in Ontario. He attributes his achievements to an old-fashioned recipe of hard work, long hours, ongoing continuing education, generously giving back to the communities his pharmacies serve, being as accessible as possible to patients, and cultivating strong personal relationships with local physicians. Ben served the ACA as President in 2013 and Chairman in 2014. He has served on the ACA Admission Committee for many years and on numerous ACA committees. He is also a member of the Ontario Pharmacists Association and the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association. Ben has served several terms on the ACA Board, most recently since 2017.

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Pharmacy Organizations Welcome FDA Authorization of COVID Vaccine: “We Stand Ready to Serve”

2020-12-12T06:53:25-06:00December 11th, 2020|Categories: COVID-19, Immunizations, News Release|Tags: , , |

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The leaders of 18 pharmacy organizations today issued the following statement following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the first Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We heartily welcome the decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize the emergency use of the first COVID-19 vaccine, following the recommendation of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC).

“This is a historic moment in the nation’s effort to end the pandemic. The pharmacy profession is ready to do its part as qualified, active participants in administering these vaccines in accordance with guidance issued by the FDA, CDC, HHS and state and local health departments, as well as increasing access for the American public to these important disease prevention tools.

“We are confident that FDA has taken extraordinary care to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective. The American people should have great confidence in the vaccine. The vast majority of pharmacists have indicated in recent surveys that they intend to be vaccinated themselves and plan to recommend the vaccine to their patients. More than 360,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians nationwide are trained to administer vaccines.

“Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers in the nation, with 90% of Americans living within 5 miles of pharmacy. Across the nation they stand ready, in all patient care settings, to administer the vaccine and counsel patients through this critical moment in our nation’s history.  As trusted health professionals dedicated to serving the health care needs of our communities, we stand ready to serve.”

Supporting organizations
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American College of Apothecaries
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
American Pharmacists Association
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy
National Community Pharmacists Association
National Pharmaceutical Association
Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
Pharmacy Quality Alliance

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[BREAKING NEWS] US Supreme Court Issues Landmark Decision in Case to Curb PBMs

2020-12-12T06:55:29-06:00December 10th, 2020|Categories: News Release|Tags: |

“This is wonderful news for our patients, pharmacists, and pharmacies. It is great to have a unanimous decision from the Supreme Court validating rights for states to regulate PBMs. This is a big win for pharmacy and we need to work with states to implement laws which will improve our ability to continue to care for our patients,” said Susie Bartlemay, Executive Vice-President of the American College of Apothecaries, American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, and the American College of Apothecaries Research and Education Foundation.

Pharmacy Groups React to Supreme Court Ruling on State Regulation of Controversial PBMs

Landmark Decision Validates Years-Long Fight to Rein in Abusive Power of PBMs

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its landmark ruling in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), determining whether community pharmacies are protected from abusive payment practices.

The unanimous (8 to 0) decision ruled in favor of the interests of patients and community pharmacies, who have been fighting for years to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the controversial middlemen that manage prescription drug benefits for health insurers, Medicare Part D drug plans, and large employers. With this ruling, states will have greater authority to protect their local businesses and their patients from PBM overreach.

“This is a historic victory for independent pharmacies and their patients. And it confirms the rights of states to enact reasonable regulations in the name of fair competition and public health,” said National Community Pharmacists Association CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA.

“This is a great day for pharmacists and their patients,” said Scott J. Knoer, executive vice president and CEO of the American Pharmacists Association. “For years, PBMs have threatened the sacrosanct relationship between pharmacists and their patients and have never been forced to answer to any authority for their actions. This opinion redresses that imbalance and returns the power to protect the interests of patients to the states and other local authorities, where it belongs.”

“We’re excited to see a unanimous decision from the Court on this case – it’s truly a best case scenario for patients, pharmacists, and pharmacies,” said Rebecca Snead, RPh, NASPA executive vice president and CEO. “Now, it’s time to get to work to make sure states have appropriate PBM regulations in place, and continue to work with our members of Congress to do the same for the federal programs.”

“Today, Arkansas pharmacists join their colleagues across the country to celebrate a triumphant victory years in the making,” said Arkansas Pharmacists Association CEO John Vinson. “The Supreme Court’s ruling means that states can finally protect our patients who receive their pharmacy benefits through their employers. This win should increase drug pricing transparency, increase pharmacy access for patients, improve freedom of choice, and improve the healthcare for our citizens both during and after the pandemic.”

At issue was the extent to which the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which regulates private employee benefit plans, preempts the states from regulating the amount that PBMs pay pharmacies to dispense prescription drugs that are covered by an employer-sponsored health plan.

Background:

In 2015, Arkansas passed a law prohibiting PBMs from reimbursing local pharmacies at a lower rate than what the pharmacies pay to fill prescriptions. Before the bill was enacted, PBMs were found to reimburse pharmacies at less than a pharmacy’s cost to acquire a drug. This and other pressures have contributed to more than 16 percent of rural independent pharmacies across the country closing their doors in recent years. In Arkansas, nearly 13 percent of the independent pharmacies closed between 2006 and 2014 alone. The PBM lobby, PCMA, challenged the law in court, which is when the pharmacy groups joined efforts to ensure the 2015 law stands. NCPA, APA, APhA, NASPA, and all state pharmacy associations jointly commissioned an amicus brief to support Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s appeal to allow the implementation of the 2015 legislation that prohibited PBMs from paying pharmacies below cost and allowed pharmacies to refuse to dispense below cost prescriptions.

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Corporate Members and Affiliates

ACA’s Corporate Members and Affiliates are businesses and organizations who share our dedication to advancing the profession of pharmacy.

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