[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1448-E1449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FIRST RxIMPACT DAY ON CAPITOL HILL

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 2009

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
first RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill. Advocates from nearly 30 states 
travelled to the Washington, DC area on June 16-17 to talk about the 
contribution they make in providing quality

[[Page E1449]]

healthcare in over 50,000 community pharmacies operating nationwide. 
These advocates are participating in this event to urge members of 
Congress to recognize the value of pharmacies and make these ``most 
accessible'' experts full participants in any innovative health care 
delivery system and coordinated care model that is included in health 
care reform legislation.
  Pharmacists are on the frontline of delivering quality, affordable 
health care. Today, there are more than 254,000 licensed pharmacists in 
the United States who work to improve health care throughout delivery 
systems across the country, including community pharmacies, hospitals, 
nursing homes, hospice centers and in a patient's own home. Ninety-five 
percent of all Americans live within five miles of a retail or 
community pharmacy. It becomes a place where community members can ask 
questions, receive medications from pharmacists they know and trust, 
purchase prescription drugs at lower prices, and receive personal and 
knowledgeable service.
  As the face of neighborhood health care, pharmacists across the 
nation are uniquely qualified to help patients manage their conditions 
through medication, including monitoring their prescription use. 
Appropriate medication use is critical to treating the most common 
chronic conditions that cost the nation $1.3 trillion in lost 
productivity, decreased quality of life and morbidity. Unfortunately, 
only 50 percent of Americans living with chronic diseases adhere to 
their prescribed drug regimen. Patient non-adherence not only costs the 
nation's economy $177 billion dollars each year, it is associated with 
a $47 billion dollar a year price tag for related hospitalizations.
  I applaud the work of pharmacies and their pharmacists who play a 
special role in the lives and health of folks in Eastern Washington as 
well as all Americans. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to join me in recognizing the First Annual RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill 
and congratulating the more than 150 pharmacy leaders, pharmacists, 
students, and executives and the pharmacy community for their 
contributions to the good health of the American people.

                          ____________________