Community pharmacists call fears of postal cuts ‘overstated’

The community pharmacists’ lobby is downplaying the effect that U.S. Postal Service cuts would have on patients’ access to drugs. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) argues this week that the consequences if the USPS ends its Saturday service have been exaggerated by other pharmacy groups.

“Written testimonies … from representatives of mail service pharmacies have overstated the negative impact on patient access that can result from reducing mail delivery,” NCPA wrote to the Postal Service on Monday, adding that patients would still have access to their local pharmacist.

“Evidence suggests that Americans, whether they live in densely or sparsely populated areas, have access to independent community pharmacies that can fill the void,” Douglas Hoey, NCPA’s acting executive vice president and CEO, said in a statement.  

Last month, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) warned that the end of Saturday postal service would threaten patient access to vital drugs.