The National Community Pharmacists Association said Tuesday that it fully supports a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that requires pharmacies to only dispense brand name drugs in seven-day cycles in long-term care facilities, instead of the existing 30-day cycle.
The shortened number of days is an attempt to limit pharmaceutical waste in the healthcare system and support independent pharmacies. The NCPA, which created a Long-Term Care Division this year to advocate for patients and pharmacies in long-term care settings, sent CMS a letter in June requesting this change.