The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition applauds intro of Senate legislation

The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition is applauding the introduction of S. 2477 by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.).

Known as The Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, the bipartisan legislation would ensure Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive prompt care and services from pharmacists to prevent, test and treat common infectious diseases.

S. 2477 also would establish Medicare Part B direct reimbursement for essential pharmacist services for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and strep throat.

S. 2477 is companion legislation to H.R. 1770, introduced in March 2023 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Ill., Congressman Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and pharmacist Members Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga,) and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.). More than 55 bipartisan Members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 1770, recognizing the urgent need to ensure seniors in rural and underserved communities across the country maintain access to pharmacist care. More than 190 organizations, including rural and senior advocacy groups, physician and provider groups, patient advocacy organizations, pharmacists and health systems support the legislation.

S. 2447 would ensure prompt and continued access to essential pharmacist services for seniors and rural communities, including:

Testing: COVID-19, influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and strep throat

Treatment: COVID-19, influenza, and strep throat

Vaccination: COVID-19 and influenza

“The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition commends Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) for introducing S. 2477 and ensuring seniors maintain access to essential pharmacist services to protect their health – especially in rural America. S. 2477 would ensure older Americans can access essential services from pharmacists – all within existing scope of practice – improving patient outcomes and reducing hospitalizations and unnecessary costs across the healthcare system. If Congress doesn’t act with urgency to ensure coverage of pharmacist-provided testing, vaccination and treatment services for common infectious diseases under Medicare, seniors may be left without access to these essential services.”

Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition members supporting the legislation include the American Pharmacists Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Abbott, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, CVS Health, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Health Mart, Kroger, McKesson, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Walgreens and Walmart.

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“We commend Senator Warner for championing the introduction of the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacists Services Act," said Karen Winslow, interim executive director of the Virginia Pharmacy Association. "This visionary legislation represents a significant stride towards advancing healthcare access and services in Virginia. By acknowledging the pivotal role community pharmacists play in patient care, Senator Warner is paving the way for a transformative change that will greatly enhance access to essential healthcare services across our state.”

 “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Senator Thune for introducing the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacists Services Act. This groundbreaking legislation will make an incredible difference in increasing access to essential healthcare services provided by pharmacists across South Dakota. By recognizing the critical role pharmacists play in patient care and fostering collaboration with other healthcare providers, Senator Thune is paving the way for a healthier and more vibrant future for our communities,” said Amanda Bacon, executive director of the South Dakota Pharmacists Association.

 “Pharmacists are a vital part of the rural healthcare delivery system as many older adults in rural areas depend on their pharmacist to help manage multiple prescriptions and conditions. The Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act will remove barriers for older adults in rural areas to access essential pharmacist services related to respiratory illnesses, which tend to be more fatal for older populations. NRHA is proud to support this legislation to ensure rural communities maintain access to pharmacist services and care to help older adults manage their health,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. 

“We commend bipartisan lawmakers for introducing legislation to protect the essential role of pharmacists in delivering vital care and services to America’s seniors,” said ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz. “Pharmacists have been on the frontlines supporting the nation through unprecedented public health challenges. Medicare beneficiaries, including those in rural and underserved communities across the country, have come to rely on pharmacists as critical healthcare providers. Ensuring Medicare patients can access essential pharmacist services is imperative, and we call on Congress to act swiftly to support this legislation.”

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Amid the challenges of provider shortages and an overburdened healthcare system, pharmacists have proven they play a vital role to strengthen our nation’s public health, respond to current and future threats, and meet patients where they are no matter the circumstances, the Coalition said. statement. 

Nine in 10 Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, and patients visit their community pharmacist approximately twice as frequently as they visit primary care physicians. More than half of pharmacists (55%) work in a community-based setting and 77% of community pharmacies serve population areas of 50,000 or fewer. Pharmacists have delivered many of the 25 million COVID-19 vaccines received by rural Americans, the Coalition said.

By conservative estimates, the 350 million clinical interventions to approximately 150 million people that pharmacists have provided during the pandemic averted over one million COVID-19 deaths, eight million hospitalizations, and $450 billion in healthcare costs, the Coalition noted.