NACDS' Nourish My Health initiative showcases how pharmacies provide accessible, personalized nutrition support nationwide.

As Americans focus on healthier habits during National Nutrition Month®, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is spotlighting how pharmacies support healthier communities by helping patients make informed nutrition choices, access wellness products, and take practical steps toward better health - while reinforcing the importance of policies that sustain pharmacy access.

As part of NACDS' Nourish My Health initiative, participating member companies are reinforcing pharmacies' role as accessible, trusted destinations for everyday nutrition - offering guidance on vitamins and supplements, healthier product options, and personalized support.

"Pharmacies play a critical role in helping patients connect nutrition to their overall health," said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. "Throughout National Nutrition Month and year-round, pharmacies provide trusted, accessible care that empowers people to make informed choices and manage their health with confidence."

Throughout March, NACDS member pharmacies have demonstrated how they advance nutritional health in their communities, including:

• Providing personalized guidance on vitamins, supplements, and nutrition-related needs
• Offering one-on-one support and lifestyle recommendations
• Expanding access to wellness products, including better-for-you food options
• Introducing nutrition-focused offerings such as clean-label, high-protein, and plant-based products
• Connecting patients to convenient, trusted resources that support healthier choices

With nearly 90 percent of Americans living within five miles of a pharmacy, these neighborhood healthcare destinations are often the most accessible place to seek guidance on nutrition. Pharmacists translate complex information into practical, actionable steps - particularly for patients managing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, where nutrition plays a critical role.

NACDS emphasized that sustaining and expanding these services requires policies that support fair reimbursement, advance pharmacist-provided care such as the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS), build on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform progress, and further integrate pharmacies into prevention and public health strategies.

"Improving health starts with everyday choices - including what we eat," Anderson said. "Pharmacies are uniquely positioned to support those choices, and policies should enable them to continue serving as accessible, community-based healthcare destinations."

Observed each March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month® promotes informed food choices and healthy habits. Through its Nourish My Health initiative, NACDS continues to highlight the connection between nutrition and health while reinforcing the role pharmacies play in helping Americans live healthier lives.