WASHINGTON — Three pharmacy industry organizations have launched a joint effort to further community pharmacy's role in the advancement of health care in the United States. The American Pharmacists Association here, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association, both in Alexandria, Va., have initiated Project Destiny. The aim of Project Destiny is the development of a strategic plan that validates community pharmacy's future role in the delivery of health care as a valuable and integral component. The associations selected BearingPoint, McLean, Va., management and technology consultants, to execute the initiative, which will position the pharmacist as the medication expert and the key provider of medication therapy management services. Project Destiny will reinforce the role of the pharmacist as a key contributor to a patient's overall health and to substantial reductions of overall health care costs, according to the companies. “Today, community pharmacy contributes tremendous value to health care that goes well beyond dispensing medications. The health care system has not yet realized the full potential of pharmacists in lowering overall health care costs. Project Destiny will define and expand dramatically the possibilities for efficiency and improved patient outcomes,” said Steven C. Anderson, NACDS president and chief executive officer.

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