NABP Awards DMEPOS Accreditation to First Supermarket Pharmacy

June 20, 2008 12:00 AM

Publix Super Markets Meets CMS Quality Standards for Distributing DMEPOS Products

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) is pleased to announce that Publix Super Markets, Inc was awarded accreditation for its retail store pharmacy services through the Associationís durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. Publix is the first grocery store pharmacy chain to which the Association has awarded this accreditation. The DMEPOS program ensures that suppliers of DMEPOS products meet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servicesí (CMS) quality and accreditation standards. Publixís decision to seek accreditation for its 715 pharmacies demonstrates that they are doing their part to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the appropriate products, services, and patient care associated with DMEPOS.

ìThe health and wellness of our customers and their families is paramount,î says Publix Vice President of Pharmacy Fred Ottolino. ìOur pharmacies being on the forefront of the Medicare accreditation process reaffirms our commitment to customer care and service.î

In November 2006, CMS named NABP an accrediting organization for pharmacies that supply DMEPOS products. NABP has more than 100 years of experience in pharmacy regulation, which provides for a thorough understanding of the complexities of pharmacy practice and regulation. The NABP DMEPOS accreditation program is best suited for pharmacies that provide a limited line of durable medical equipment.

ìNABP congratulates Publix on its efforts in meeting CMSís new standards and its hard work in achieving accreditation. Publix is the first grocery store chain to receive DMEPOS accreditation through the NABP DMEPOS program,î states NABP President Rich Palombo, RPh.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 142,000 employees, with 2007 sales of $23 billion. Currently Publix has 933 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. The company has been named one of FORTUNEís ì100 Best Companies to Work for in Americaî for 11 consecutive years. In addition, Publixís dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.

For more information about NABP or its DMEPOS accreditation program, please visit the NABP Web site at www.nabp.net. Or for more information on Publix, visit www.publix.com.

Larissa Doucette