SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has created a higher standard of value for its members, executives said at the NACDS Annual Meeting here last month.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has created a higher standard of value for its members, executives said at the NACDS Annual Meeting here last month.

Public policy victories, success in communicating the story of community pharmacy, and innovations in programs and services have made NACDS membership critical for companies involved in the sector, providing them with more value than ever before, NACDS chairman Bob Loeffler told the retailers and suppliers at this year’s meeting.

With community pharmacies across the country continuing to face significant challenges, Loeffler stressed that members continue to be diligent in educating legislators and policy makers about the value of pharmacy.

One of the most important parts of that message, he stressed, is the role pharmacy-based strategies play in improving medication adherence and driving down health care costs.

Equally critical, Loeffler said, was ensuring that reimbursement rates are not reduced.

"Those of you who are in the business of researching and developing medications, and helping to improve and save lives, know that NACDS stands with you in creating a public policy environment and a business climate that helps patients stay on their therapies and achieve better outcomes," he said. "And for those of you in the business of selling consumer goods, I believe the advancement of legislation and policy that strengthen pharmacy, such as the medication adherence platform, contributes in a big way to having healthy retailers."

Loeffler’s comments were echoed by NACDS president and chief executive Steve Anderson, who noted that the association’s meetings and its government affairs and communications initiatives present ideal opportunities for diverse yet related businesses to plan for volatile and challenging times.

"This is an ideal forum to discuss the effects of macro and micro factors on business relationships and strategies — and our proactive responses through government affairs and industrywide communications," he said.

NACDS also used the Annual Meeting to unveil its plan to consolidate three of its annual events.

Starting in 2013, the association’s Marketplace, Pharmacy and Technology and Supply Chain, and Logistics conferences will be rolled into a single event called “Total Store Expo.”