NCPA Presents Rep. Buddy Carter With Spirit of Independence Award

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 5, 2026) - Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) has been named the National Community Pharmacists Association's 2026 Spirit of Independence Award recipient. The award, which has been presented periodically since 2004, is given to individuals who have shown a significant and sustained contribution to the future of independent community pharmacy. It was presented to Carter as part of NCPA's Annual Convention, being held Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo.

Carter is a graduate of Young Harris College and the University of Georgia where he earned his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy. He owned Carter's Pharmacy, Inc., for over 32 years, where he cared for people in the South Georgia community. He served as mayor of Pooler, Ga., and in the Georgia General Assembly before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has been in office since 2015. He is a member of the House Budget Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has broad jurisdiction that includes food and drug safety.

Carter has been dogged in his efforts to foster a health care system that provides more choices, less costs, and better services. He was instrumental in pushing forward changes to pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2022. Another key victory for pharmacy came earlier this year when meaningful pharmacy benefit reforms championed by Carter, NCPA and its members, and other pharmacy allies passed Congress and were signed into law.

"Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Carter has consistently recognized the vital role independent community and long-term care pharmacies play in providing accessible, personalized, and high-quality care," said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA, as he presented Carter with the award. "On behalf of independent pharmacists and pharmacy teams across the country, we thank him for his longstanding commitment, leadership, and partnership. It is our privilege to present him with this award in appreciation of his years of service and support for independent pharmacy and the patients they serve."

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Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing over 18,900 pharmacies that employ nearly 230,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America's most accessible health care providers. To learn more, visit www.ncpa.org.