NACDS Foundation Dinner Raises Nearly $1.8 M

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation raised nearly $1.8 million for its research, charitable and educational initiatives at its 14th annual NACDS Foundation dinner in New York City.

Walgreen Co. and Duane Reade Inc. were premier sponsors of the event, whose keynote speaker, Gen. Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reflected on his five decades of global and local leadership, including a commitment to education and the nation’s youth.

The NACDS Foundation also recognized the recipients of the 2012 Excellence and Patient Care Awards -- Dr. Michael Fischer and Dr. William Shrank, clinicians and researchers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard University Medical School -- both of whom were selected among researchers, organizations, and advocates for their tremendous work to advance patient care. Specifically, Drs. Fischer and Shrank, who received $5,000 grants each to continue advancing their work on medication adherence, were saluted for interventions that could help patients take their medications as prescribed, resulting in improved outcomes.

In addition, the NACDS Foundation debuted a video titled “Together,” capturing the NACDS Foundation’s mission of advancing patient care by way of community pharmacy through research, education and charitable involvement. The video highlights the partnerships and collaborative efforts of allies focused on improving patient health and quality of life.

Emphasizing the important work of the NACDS Foundation’s benefactors in improving patient health, NACDS Foundation president Kathleen Jaeger told event attendees, “We could not do the important work of the Foundation without guidance and leadership of our supporters and friends. We’re researching ways to help patients manage their medications better. We’re researching new ways to advance patient health in emerging health care models. We’re introducing higher education and research opportunities to evaluate innovative practices that offer increased access to millions of patients.”