WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced the creation of the first-ever U.S. Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus. The purpose of the caucus is to advocate for community pharmacy issues while serving as a clearinghouse for ideas and information about the important role community pharmacies play in the delivery of health care. Sen. Moran will serve as co-chairman of the caucus along with U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

“Community pharmacists are a vital part of our nation’s health care delivery system, and in many Kansas communities the local pharmacist is a patient’s most direct link to health care,” Sen. Moran said.  “Access to medications, health care supplies, and the counsel pharmacists provide is very important to the health and well-being of every American. The Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus will provide valuable resources to senators as we work to ensure all Americans have better access to affordable health care.”

“Senator Moran is a terrific leader for the inaugural Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus,” said Brian Caswell, RPh, past president of the Kansas Pharmacists Association and president of Wolkar Drug in Baxter Springs. “He understands the benefits community pharmacists provide to local residents and the issues we face as health care providers and small businesses. This caucus will help share our story and concerns with the U.S. Senate.” 

Sen. Moran was one of the original founders of the Congressional Community Pharmacy Caucus in 2007 when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the lead sponsor of several pieces of pharmacy legislation in the House, including the Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2009 and legislation to ease burdensome regulations for small pharmacies supplying medical equipment to patients. Additionally, he supported construction of the new University of Kansas School of Pharmacy building, which opened last year and will help address a shortage of pharmacists in Kansas.