National Association of Specialty Pharmacy Announces Nancy Frates as Keynote Speaker for Its 6th Annual Meeting and Educational Conference

CRABURY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) , the only national association representing all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry — including the nation’s leading specialty pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, health plans and integrated delivery systems — today announces amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient advocate Nancy Frates as the second keynote speaker for the 6th Annual NASP Meeting and Educational Conference, to be held Sept. 24-26. The keynote address will take place Sept. 25 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C.

“We are fortunate to have Nancy as our patient advocacy keynote speaker to share her experiences and challenges. As an organization that strives to enhance patient care, it is important for us to understand the patient journey and the role specialty pharmacy has in optimizing care for all ALS patients,” said Mike Agostino, president of NASP.

During her keynote address, “The Impact of Patient Advocacy,” Frates will share her journey as an advocate for the ALS community, describe her work in Washington, D.C., and discuss the actions governmental authorities can take to enhance ALS research. She also will highlight ways doctors, nurses, patients and families can create a global movement and worldwide awareness of ALS.

After her 27-year-old son Peter received a diagnosis of ALS in 2012, Frates dedicated her time to the ALS community as an advocate and activist. As a part of her efforts to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by patients and their caregivers, Frates has appeared before Congress, at the White House and before a Food and Drug Administration panel. Peter, along with the entire Frates family, inspired the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised over $220 million for the ALS Association and its global partners. Frates continues to educate communities about the disease by speaking at domestic and international events.

Geared toward the specialty pharmacy industry, including pharmacy directors, senior executives, consultants and managed care organizations, the 6th Annual NASP Meeting and Educational Conference will cover emerging scientific advancements. The event also will focus on the rapid changes in the market, legislative action and regulatory policy, as well as ways to enhance patient care and improve clinical outcomes.

For more information about the annual meeting, visit naspmeeting.com.

About the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)

NASP is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade organization and the only national association representing all stakeholders in the specialty pharmacy industry. The mission of NASP is to elevate the practice of specialty pharmacy by developing and promoting continuing professional education and certification of specialty pharmacists while advocating for public policies that ensure patients have appropriate access to specialty medications in tandem with critical services. NASP members include the nation’s leading independent specialty pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, group purchasing organizations, patient advocacy groups, integrated delivery systems and health plans, technology and data management vendors, wholesalers/distributors and practicing pharmacists. With over 100 corporate and 1,200 individual members, NASP is the unified voice of specialty pharmacy in the United States. For additional information, visit NASPnet.org.

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