The Mission Statement of the organization is as follows: "The purpose of the Florida Community Pharmacy Society and Network (FCPS/N) is to serve the interests of independent community pharmacies and their ability to compete in the world of business; as well, as to serve their communities as pharmacy has for centuries without regard to race, religion or gender."
The Society and Network are organizations of independent pharmacy owners and those that support their goals and objectives.
The Society is a not for profit organization and the Network is a for profit corporation.
The members receive a share of stock for their initial membership and continued membership.
The organization has its own political action committee (PAC) which contributed to 24 successful candidates in the 2004 election.
The organization has contracted with the law firm of Akerman-Senterfitt to handle its legislative affairs under the guidance of Ed Jaffry, JD and his legislative team.
This organization at the state level is very similar to the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA) at the national level. Many states have organizations like the FCPS/N to represent the independent pharmacy owners and their interests.
The leadership encourages members to continue their other state or national affiliations as it strengthens the profession.
It was the FCPS/N membership and the leadership of Ed Jaffry and his legislative team that was instrumental in convincing the legislature not to reduce Medicaid reimbursements from AWP-15% to AWP- 17%. The FCPS/N also helped to move the Florida Pharmacy Association immunization bill through the Senate, however, it did not pass in the House. Independent pharmacy owners can be and are a political force!
The organization is comprised of independent pharmacy owners from various independent practice settings. While Medicaid, Medicaid Reform and Medicare are important concerns, the organization is committed to deal with whatever issues impact on the membership. In the 2006 legislative session we will be involved with Medicaid and immunizations again, Board of Pharmacy issues, and other issues like PBM’s, compounding for Medical offices and Pharmacy Techs should they arise. It is up to the leadership and members as to how much we should undertake legislatively.
The primary objective of the organization has been to increase the membership to a number that will enable the Network to negotiate contracts with the managed care people that will be contracting with Medicaid or Medicare to serve your patients.