There was a big announcement this week in the pharmacy industry; 865 Rite Aid stores are to be sold to Fred’s Pharmacy. Walgreens Boots Alliance recently proposed acquisition of Rite Aid, which brought up concerns identified by the Federal Trade Commission. This agreement is in response to such concerns, and is subject to FTC approval. Click here to get the full story, as reported by Drug Store News.

The IPC Government Relations team had the opportunity to sit down for a private discussion with United States Senator Ron Wyden in Portland this past week. Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee is the Senior Senator from Oregon. Meeting participants included: IPC SVP of Government Relations, Mark Kinney, IPC State Director of Government Relations, Jim Driscoll, Oregon pharmacy owner, Shelley Bailey, and Oregon pharmacy owner, IPC member and NCPA board member, Michele Belcher.

At the recent Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, IPC’s Government Relations Team was out in force along with our national and state lobbying consultants to attend convention functions and promote our members interests with federal and state Democratic officials and legislators.

IPC attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio from July 17- July 21. Aside from seeing representatives from several states where IPC has been active in state legislative advocacy, Covello had the opportunity to attend the actual convention.

IPC members, we ask you to take a moment to sign a new petition in regard to ensuring transparency between CMS and PBMs.

Polly Toole of IPC member Island Pharmacy of Tybee Island, Georgia recently penned a letter to the editor in the Savannah Morning News about the current opioid epidemic.