NARD/Merck
Executive Summary
Retail pharmacy association "will no longer accept financial support from Merck," NARD Exec-VP West declares in April 4 letter. "Merck has increasingly initiated programs that will result in the demise of the independent retail pharmacist if not challenged," the letter states. Merck said it is "disappointed about the NARD decision and its mischaracterization" of the Merck Medicare pharmacy proposal. The Merck alternative "specifically pays any willing provider that meets pricing, professional and administrative terms and any pharmacy benefits manager may offer mail service but is not required to do so," the company said