Hy-Vee Honored with Politically Engaged Pharmacy Award at NACDS Total Store Expo

During the Political Involvement Reception at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo, Hy-Vee was honored for its engagement in the NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC).

Hy-Vee chairman, CEO and president Randy Edeker, who served as chairman of NACDS from April 2015 to April 2016 and who continues to serve on the NACDS Board of Directors, accepted the 2016 “Politically Engaged Pharmacy Award,” or “PEP” Award. He did so on behalf of Hy-Vee, in recognition of strong, consistent and far-reaching NACDS-PAC involvement throughout the company.

“Our team at Hy-Vee really has worked hard to make a difference,” Edeker said. “Together, we’re stronger than we are individually. This is a nice recognition for all of our folks who have done a lot with NACDS-PAC.”

Richard Ashworth, president of pharmacy and retail operations for Walgreen Co. and chairman of NACDS-PAC, presented the award, saying that the people of Hy-Vee exemplify that “passionate voices can make a world of difference.”

“We present the PEP award to a person—or a company—that’s made a big difference in advancing community pharmacy with policymakers, so we can do more to serve our customers and patients,” Ashworth said, noting that Hy-Vee team members throughout the company have “stepped up big time” to be engaged participants in NACDS-PAC.

The bipartisan NACDS-PAC supports federal congressional candidates who advance pro-patient and pro-pharmacy policies.

In welcoming attendees to the event, Martin Otto, chief merchant and financial officer at H-E-B, and chairman of the NACDS Board of Directors, noted that, “NACDS makes it a priority to tell pharmacy’s story to lawmakers and to the public.” In addition to describing the importance of electoral engagement, Otto spoke about the success of the NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots advocacy program.