NCPA URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO SIGN BILL DELAYING IMPLEMENTATION OF TAMPER RESISTANT PAD REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACIES

The U.S. Congress has passed H.R.3688, which includes a provision delaying the implementation of the tamper resistant pad requirements for Medicaid prescription drugs until March 31, 2008. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive Vice President and CEO Bruce Roberts, RPh, issued the following statement in response to final passage:

“Community pharmacists are aware of the problems associated across the country with Medicaid fraud. With a stroke of the President’s pen, the health care community will have adequate lead time to make the use of tamper-resistant pads a reality. The use of tamper resistant pads should reduce the amount of Medicaid fraud. More importantly, the six month delay will minimize any disruptions to patients’ access to prescription drugs that would otherwise occur. I urge President Bush to move swiftly to approve this delay before the October 1st effective date of the law.”