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Survey Finds Nebraskans Want Stricter Safety Guidelines for Prescription Drug Distribution

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 15:00 CST

LINCOLN, Neb., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nebraska Pharmacists Association (NPA) gathered with its colleagues today at the state capital to reveal results of a recent survey of Nebraskans that found near universal support for the wholesaler bill being discussed in the Nebraska legislature. The survey found almost 80% of voters in Nebraska favor the passage of the proposed legislation, LB318, which ensures a greater level of prescription drug distribution safety for Nebraskans. The NPA was joined by the author of the Wholesale Drug Distributor Licensing Act, State Senator Joel Johnson, representatives of the Nebraska Board of Pharmacy and Carmen Catizone, Executive Director/Secretary of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to voice their support for the bill.

"Nebraska is one of only seven states with no licensing requirements for out-of-state drug wholesalers. It is essential that legislation is passed immediately to bring Nebraska's licensing requirements up to par with every other state," said Senator Joel T. Johnson, District 37, Kearney. "As the NPA's survey confirmed, this is not a partisan issue; this is an issue that involves the safety of drugs for all of Nebraska's citizens, independent of their political party and geographical location."

The issue of requiring stricter regulations for drug wholesalers recently came to national attention following a massive drug counterfeiting scandal in 2003, in which a Lexington, NE company allegedly conspired with out-of-state drug distributors to sell $42 million in counterfeit, stolen, and illegally imported medications across the country.

To ensure steps are taken to protect Nebraskans against the unregulated flow of prescription drugs, Senator Johnson introduced the Wholesale licensing bill. LB318 guarantees the safe distribution of prescription drugs by requiring wholesalers to complete background checks before receiving licenses and creating mandatory pedigrees, a documented paper trail that tracks every transaction after a drug leaves the normal distribution chain before it reaches the pharmacist.

"The study found Nebraskans agree on the immediate need to prevent unlicensed wholesalers from doing business in the state. The survey also revealed seven in ten voters were concerned over the possibility of receiving fake prescription drugs," said Dr. Curt Barr, R.P., Chairperson, Nebraska Board of Pharmacy. "To ensure that Nebraska citizens receive safe prescription drugs, wholesalers who act as the middlemen in the process should be required to adhere to the same strict regulations that we put forth for pharmacists across the state."

"As pharmacists, we act as a trusted resource for our patients," said Joni Cover, J.D., Executive Vice President of NPA. "Our ability to ensure the safety of drugs we dispense is our top priority. We support this bill and view it as yet another tool to provide our patients safe medications."

"As the governing body that oversees the practice of pharmacy all across the United States, NABP believes it is essential that the state legislature recognizes the importance of this law within Nebraska and its impact on the rest of the country," said Carmen A. Catizone, MS, RPh, DPh, Executive Director/Secretary of NABP. "With the passage of this bill, Nebraska will join the numerous other states that have passed similar legislation, thereby lowering the chances that counterfeit and fake pharmaceuticals will find their way into our nation's drug supply."

The statewide survey of Nebraska registered voters was conducted by American Viewpoint, commissioned by The Nebraska Pharmacists Association, The Nebraska Board of Pharmacy and funded by Pfizer. Interviews were conducted February 21-22, 2006. The margin of error for the entire sample (n=500) is plus or minus 4.4% at the 95% confidence level.

Since 1881, the Nebraska Pharmacists Association (NPA), the professional association for Nebraska pharmacists, has recognized the value of the pharmacist's role in health care and supports the concept of a unified voice for pharmacy. The mission of the NPA is to provide member services, which advance and support the professional needs of all Nebraska pharmacy practitioners in the provision of patient care.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) was founded in 1904 and represents all of the pharmacy regulatory and licensing jurisdictions in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, eight provinces of Canada, two Australian States, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its purpose is to serve as the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its member boards and jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the purpose of protecting the public health.

Nebraska Pharmacists Association

CONTACT: Scott Shadiow, +1-317-432-9210, for Nebraska PharmacistsAssociation

Source: PRNewswire

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