Jan. 24, 2023

APRx Leaders Build Vital Foundations

On Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C.

Hitting the ground running and covering several important bases, American Pharmacies leaders took their advocacy mission to the nation's capital last week, kicking our newly launched federal initiative into high gear.

Michael Wright, VP of Government Affairs; President Laird Leavoy and General Counsel Miguel Rodriguez spent three days in D.C., opening their visit by meeting with our new lobby firm, Roberti Global. The trio first met with Roberti partner Steven Irizarry, our chief liaison at the firm, and later participated in a planning session with more of the Roberti Global team.

Photo (L-R): Wright, Rodriguez and Leavoy outside U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter's House office last week.

Roberti showed its impressive Capitol Hill connections by arranging a meeting with senior staff of U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia, a pharmacy owner for 30+ years and one of independents' staunchest allies in Congress.

After discussing pharmacy issues and American Pharmacies' goals/activities with Carter's senior staff, the APRx leaders met with National Community Pharmacies Association President Doug Hoey, General Counsel Matt Seiler and Senior VP of Government Affairs Anne Cassity.

The trio wrapped up their visit on Thursday morning, meeting with AmerisourceBergen's federal lobby team, led by Beth Mitchell, VP of U.S. Public Policy & Government Affairs.

Leavoy said the trip was a strong start to American Pharmacies' new federal efforts, and he lauded his team's interaction with our Washington lobby partner.

"I came away very impressed with Steven Irizarry's knowledge and connections," Leavoy said. "Roberti is all-in on taking on the federal challenges we face in independent pharmacy. Thanks to them, we were able to make some key contacts in Representative Carter's office."

"I've got nothing but great things to say about the trip," Wright added. "We touched base with important allies, planned strategy with our lobby team and shared goals and insights with Rep Carter's office. Having the president and Miguel along was a huge advantage."

Wright pointed out that the meeting with Carter's senior staff is only the first of many such discussions to be held with members of Congress. He said Carter's office asked for American Pharmacies' help in building support among our members and other independent pharmacists for congressional action on pharmacy issues.

APRx Members Welcome Expansion to Federal Arena

We continue to hear from excited members after last week's announcement of our federal advocacy initiative.

Tiffany Wu, owner of Concourse Pharmacy in City of Industry, CA, gushed, "Exciting news about federal advocacy! I was always hoping AP would expand into the state-level in California, but the federal level is even better! Gotta have people fighting for us if we want to see any positive change, so glad to see it. Feel like I don't tell you enough how much hard work you guys do."

Wrote Theresa Dickinson, owner of Melrose Pharmacy in Phoenix: "You guys ROCK! This makes my week and makes me so proud to be an American Pharmacies member."

"American Pharmacies just took a big step to protect and support independents by entering the Federal Arena," said Chuck Eubanks of TylerRx in Texas. "Thank you Laird Leavoy, Michael Wright and Miguel Rodriguez and the entire AP team for the great job you do to support us." 

Added American Pharmacies Board member Alton Kanak of Katy, TX: "This is a natural progression from all our success at the state level. As with all our political endeavors, we have entered this new challenge ready to make a real difference."

(L-R) Wright and Rodriguez on Capitol Hill last week.

As mentioned in last week's federal announcement news, American Pharmacies and Roberti Global will focus on far more than supporting pro-pharmacy bills and monitoring their progress in Congress. Our focus will include:

• Identifying and building relationships with key members of Congress and federal regulatory agencies.
• Building stronger cooperative relationships with the National Community Pharmacists Association, the AmerisourceBergen lobby team, the American Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and oncology and dermatology groups, as well as patient advocates.
• Aggregating and leveraging our members' existing federal relationships to build stronger pharmacy support in Congress, especially with influential members of key committees.
• Leveraging the strong relationships we have built with legislators in multiple states to help advance the independent pharmacy agenda at the federal level.
• Pursuing meaningful regulatory reform outside Congress at the Federal Trade Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Labor and other key agencies.
• Improving American Pharmacies members' awareness of key federal issues and motivating more of them to get involved.
• Identifying the best times and opportunities to engage with members of Congress and coordinating that effort; and
• Using the experience, reputation and resolve we have built at the state level to help energize federal efforts.

In addition to hiring a top-flight lobby firm, American Pharmacies is assembling a Federal Advocacy Council made up of pharmacist members from eight states, who will act as advisors and leaders in our federal initiatives. We will publish the names of the Council members when the group has been finalized.

Want to Join Our Federal Team?

Committed constituents are a powerful resource in our fight for patient rights and fair reimbursement -- no one has more influence with elected leaders. Join our Federal Grassroots Network and support our efforts in Washington. Your relationships and efforts can make a difference!

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