SBLBSHP Newsletter
Winter 2021
Legislation Update By Rosalin Preechakul, PharmD, APh, BCPS, Legal Affairs Chair
COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges and many policy changes have been made opening opportunities for pharmacists to be an advocate for the profession. The government had temporarily made it easier for pharmacists to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency, but further action is needed to ensure pharmacists are fully and sustainably engaged in these expanded roles. Immunization
Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act), pharmacists are authorized to order and administer, and pharmacy interns acting under the supervision of the qualified pharmacist are authorized to administer, COVID-19 vaccinations to persons aged 3 years or older, childhood vaccines to individuals ages 3 to 18 years old.
COVID 19 Testing
HHS Statements on Authorizing Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests. HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P. Giroir, M.D. issued the following statement: "In an effort to expand testing capabilities, we are authorizing licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests to their patients. The accessibility and distribution of retail and independent community-based pharmacies make pharmacists the first point of contact with a healthcare professional for many Americans. This will further expand testing for Americans, particularly our healthcare workers and first responders who are working around the clock to provide care, compassion and safety to others."
Telehealth
Flexibilities issued by HHS and CMS allow for the use of non-public-facing software, relaxed location requirements, and for pharmacists to provide telehealth services under “incident-to” arrangements with physician supervision provided virtually using real-time audio and visual technology.
Access to Medications
FDA granted flexibilities for pharmacists to compound medications in shortage under 503A and 503B for hospitalized patients without patient-specific prescriptions. (Continued on next page)
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