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I thought this was very interesting. This is copied and pasted from the following web site:
http://news.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20040113/13jan2004114806.html
Congress to Address Pharmacist Shortage
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ --
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) applauds Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-WY) on the introduction of H.R. 3591 -- the Pharmacy Education Aid Act -- legislation to help combat the nation's compounding problem of the pharmacist shortage.
"The demand for pharmacists in rural areas like Wyoming is rising, but the supply of pharmacists and the educators to train them hasn't kept up," said Cubin. "This bill will give students a hand in meeting the financial obligations associated with higher education, as well as help to bring to rural areas the qualified pharmacists we need."
The bill provides loans and scholarships for pharmacy school students willing to provide care in underserved communities, and establishes a loan repayment plan for prospective pharmacy school faculty. The additional funding and support will motivate more potential students to pursue a career in pharmacy.
"This legislation will help address the critical deficit of pharmacists in this country," said Lee Verstandig, senior vice president, Government Affairs of NACDS. "Pharmacists in community pharmacies, hospitals and other health care facilities play a vital role in a patient's medical regimen and Congresswoman Cubin's support will go a long way in ensuring that no patient is left behind."
In 1999, Congress directed the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to do a study on the pharmacist shortage. HRSA's report found the shortage was "a dynamic shortage" and concluded that "factors causing the current shortage are of a nature not likely to abate in the near future without fundamental changes in pharmacy practice and education."
Currently, community pharmacists fill 3 billion prescriptions a year with the number estimated to increase to 4 billion by 2007. As of July 2003 there were 4,663 vacant pharmacist positions in chain community pharmacy. With the recent enactment of Medicare legislation the demand for pharmacists will grow, as many seniors will now receive prescription benefits they were previously denied.
The Congresswoman is on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is serving her 5th term in Congress.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) represents the nation's leading retail chain pharmacies and suppliers, helping them better meet the changing needs of their patients and customers. NACDS members operate more than 35,000 pharmacies, employ 120,000 pharmacists, fill more than 2.1 billion prescriptions yearly, and have annual sales of over $500 billion. Other members include more than 1000 suppliers of products and services to the chain drug industry. For more information about NACDS, visit http://www.nacds.org/.
http://news.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20040113/13jan2004114806.html
Congress to Address Pharmacist Shortage
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ --
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) applauds Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-WY) on the introduction of H.R. 3591 -- the Pharmacy Education Aid Act -- legislation to help combat the nation's compounding problem of the pharmacist shortage.
"The demand for pharmacists in rural areas like Wyoming is rising, but the supply of pharmacists and the educators to train them hasn't kept up," said Cubin. "This bill will give students a hand in meeting the financial obligations associated with higher education, as well as help to bring to rural areas the qualified pharmacists we need."
The bill provides loans and scholarships for pharmacy school students willing to provide care in underserved communities, and establishes a loan repayment plan for prospective pharmacy school faculty. The additional funding and support will motivate more potential students to pursue a career in pharmacy.
"This legislation will help address the critical deficit of pharmacists in this country," said Lee Verstandig, senior vice president, Government Affairs of NACDS. "Pharmacists in community pharmacies, hospitals and other health care facilities play a vital role in a patient's medical regimen and Congresswoman Cubin's support will go a long way in ensuring that no patient is left behind."
In 1999, Congress directed the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to do a study on the pharmacist shortage. HRSA's report found the shortage was "a dynamic shortage" and concluded that "factors causing the current shortage are of a nature not likely to abate in the near future without fundamental changes in pharmacy practice and education."
Currently, community pharmacists fill 3 billion prescriptions a year with the number estimated to increase to 4 billion by 2007. As of July 2003 there were 4,663 vacant pharmacist positions in chain community pharmacy. With the recent enactment of Medicare legislation the demand for pharmacists will grow, as many seniors will now receive prescription benefits they were previously denied.
The Congresswoman is on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is serving her 5th term in Congress.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) represents the nation's leading retail chain pharmacies and suppliers, helping them better meet the changing needs of their patients and customers. NACDS members operate more than 35,000 pharmacies, employ 120,000 pharmacists, fill more than 2.1 billion prescriptions yearly, and have annual sales of over $500 billion. Other members include more than 1000 suppliers of products and services to the chain drug industry. For more information about NACDS, visit http://www.nacds.org/.
