News Room

FMI Urges Congress to Approve Medicare Prescription Drug Bill

November 19, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC — November 19, 2003 — “The bipartisan Medicare bill currently before Congress delivers choice, convenient access and affordable prescription drugs to seniors — especially to the low-income seniors who need it most,” said Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). “It is essential that the House and Senate pass this legislation immediately,” he said today, speaking on behalf of the FMI retail and wholesale members that operate and support nearly 15,000 in-store pharmacies.

“This legislation,” he said, “provides seniors the opportunity to stay with their neighborhood pharmacist, who can counsel them how to best use medications, who can help prevent adverse drug interactions and who — in the case of supermarket pharmacists — can provide dietary guidance to promote health and well-being.

“This legislation allows seniors greater choice and convenience wherever they purchase medications. It enables them to fill long-term 90-day prescriptions at their local community pharmacy. It saves them money by speeding the introduction of generic drugs — a needed change, especially in this time of spiraling drug and health care costs. And it stimulates much-needed increased competition in the health care field.

“The time to act is now. The need is obvious and the benefit is long overdue. Congress must seize this opportunity before election-year politics gridlock the legislative process.”

Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org

###