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PALM BEACH, Fla. — Over the past 12 months, the retail drug industry made "critical progress toward reaching [its] full potential," John Standley, chairman and chief executive officer of Rite Aid Corp., said at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting held here late last month.
Over the past 12 months, the retail drug industry made "critical progress toward reaching [its] full potential," John Standley, chairman and chief executive officer of Rite Aid Corp., said at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting held here late last month.
NACDS also had a good year, strengthening its position in the health care, retail, public policy and political realms, said Standley, who served as the organization’s chairman during the period.
"As chairman, one of my top priorities has been to connect the dots and help all of us appreciate the value offered by NACDS, especially as we navigate this dynamic health care and retail marketplace," he said.
The trade organization’s annual meeting marked the end of Standley’s one-year term as chairman. He relinquished the reins to Randy Edeker, chairman, president and CEO of regional supermarket chain Hy-Vee Inc.
"The evolution of health care is here, with pharmacies as the face of neighborhood health care," the newly elected Edeker said in his first prepared remarks as chairman.
Edeker signaled Hy-Vee’s strong commitment to using NACDS meetings and conferences — including the 2015 NACDS Total Store Expo, set for August 22 to August 25 in Denver — to work with supplier partners on business planning and innovative projects.
Edeker also vowed to use his tenure as chairman to help NACDS and its members focus on several areas he deems critical, including navigating the upcoming changes in how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approves the total reimbursement that is paid to a pharmacy for filling a prescription for a Medicaid recipient.
Among Edeker’s other priorities is helping pharmacies expand their role in medication management in managed care facilities, an ongoing effort that Edeker said is helping to reduce emergency room visits.
