The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP), a non-profit organization representing all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry including the nation's leading specialty pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, announced today that industry veteran Sheila Arquette has been named its new Executive Director. In this role, she will work with NASP's Government Affairs Committee to guide education and advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. with key stakeholders, including: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, members of Congress, policy makers, public affairs representatives and lobbyists.
"Our goal will be to increase recognition of the value that specialty pharmacy provides the health care system and of the issues currently threatening the industry and independent specialty pharmacies' ability to continue providing the comprehensive coordinated care these patients require to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes," says Ms. Arquette.
She will also be responsible for supporting the Education Committee and Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board to promote the education and certification of specialty pharmacists. She will also lead efforts to recruit and retain members, support the Annual Conference Committee, and educate and communicate the value of specialty pharmacy and the issues impacting the practice of pharmacy.
"I'm excited about my new position at NASP and the amazing possibilities ahead for the organization," notes Ms. Arquette. "We have so many passionate volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and talents to promote the practice of specialty pharmacy and I see my role as providing the required support, coordination and structure to ensure their continued success."
A native New Yorker who has worked in most pharmacy practice settings, Ms. Arquette has become a formidable leader in the industry.
"Sheila is an excellent addition to the NASP family. She is energetic, well-versed and has broad pharmaceutical experience that gives her a deep understanding of industry needs," says Rebecca Shanahan, President of NASP.
Ms. Arquette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Pharmacy. She has extensive practical and leadership experience in retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, long-term care consulting and dispensing, in addition to the managed care, PBM and specialty pharmacy space. Sheila comes to NASP from Independent Health where she was Director of Pharmacy Services.
About National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
NASP (www.naspnet.org) is the only national association for all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry. The core mission of NASP is to provide continuing education programs to pharmacists and other healthcare professionals working in specialty pharmacy, a growing pharmacy discipline that dispenses and manages specialized medications for chronic, rare, and/or complex conditions. NASP members include specialty pharmacies, integrated health systems, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, healthcare payers, GPOs, wholesale drug distributors, and technology and other vendors. To learn more, please visit: http://www.naspnet.org.
