NCPA Statement on Kathleen Sebelius` Confirmation as Secretary of HHS

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has been confirmed and sworn in as the next
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In
response, Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, National Community Pharmacists Association
executive vice President and CEO, and Holly Whitcomb Henry, RPh, NCPA president
and Seattle, Washington pharmacy owner, issued the following statement:

"NCPA congratulates Kathleen Sebelius on her confirmation to be Secretary of
HHS. She will oversee a vast department dedicated to protecting America`s health
and will also be instrumental to the Obama Administration`s health care reform
efforts.

"There are more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies across America
caring for patients and eager to play a constructive role in health care reform.
Pharmacists are not only the most accessible health care professionals located
in underserved areas, they are also well prepared to use their medication
expertise to enhance patient health and lower costs through improved medication
usage.

"As the former Governor of Kansas, we believe Secretary Sebelius is already
sensitive to the health care needs of rural population centers where community
pharmacies are often the sole health care providers in the area. We hope the
Secretary addresses numerous federal policies that limit patient access to our
services, whether they are onerous regulations or insufficient reimbursements.
If these concerns are left unresolved, patients will see their health
jeopardized and the ensuing treatment costs can be far more expensive."

The following link provides health care reform principles that NCPA is sharing
with Congress, Obama Administration officials, and Secretary Sebelius:
http://www.ncpanet.org/pdf/leg/2009ncpa-healthcarereform.pdf

The National Community Pharmacists Association, founded in 1898, represents the
nation`s community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000
pharmacies. The nation`s independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy
franchises, and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's retail
prescription medicines. To learn more go to www.ncpanet.org.

National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
John Norton, Public Relations Manager
(703) 600-1174
john.norton@ncpanet.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009