From the American Pharmacists Association: The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition, a group representing pharmacists and community pharmacies of all sizes serving millions of patients daily across the U.S., announced support for the “Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act’’ recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), David B. McKinley (R-WV), Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA). The bipartisan legislation would ensure patients can continue to access essential care and services provided by pharmacists, among the most trusted and accessible health care professionals on whom entire communities have come to rely. See the American Pharmacists Association Action Center.
The ‘‘Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act’’ would ensure patients continue to have access to essential pandemic and pandemic-related care services provided by pharmacists, including services to keep communities safe from COVID-19 and future public health crises. The bill underscores the importance of pharmacists’ services related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other illnesses, including:
- Testing: COVID-19, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Strep Throat
- Treatment: COVID-19, Influenza, and Strep Throat
- Vaccinations: COVID-19 and Influenza
This new legislation will protect patients by ensuring pharmacists can continue to safeguard our nation’s communities against future public health threats by establishing Medicare coverage and payment for new pharmacy- and pharmacist-provided services in the case of Public Health Emergencies, as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
There is a great need for this legislation in Alaska and the Alaska Pharmacists Association is committed to working with our state and national partners to support HR 7213.
