Association Perspective
Ilisa BG Bernstein PharmD, JD, FAPhA
September means back to school for many, and recently I visited my alma mater in Michigan. As I drove back home to Washington, DC, I passed through a couple of different states. I thought of the pharmacists in each of these states dealing with disparate federal and state laws and regulations, and I thought of how APhA was making a difference for these pharmacists.
Yes, APhA has been persistently advocating on behalf of all pharmacists on the national level. Yet, at the same time, we’re diving down into neighborhoods, focusing on the community, and engaging on the state level to help pharmacists increase patient access to vital health care services, be recognized, and paid for their contributions.
Collaboration and successes
The focus as we work hand in hand with associations in different states is often on increasing access to timely care for patients from pharmacists, one of the most reliable and accessible health care providers.
The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and our state affiliate executives have been steadfast partners with APhA in our efforts to advance, recognize, and compensate our nation’s pharmacists to meet the needs of their patients. One of my first actions at APhA was to set up biweekly calls with NASPA and all of the state executives to receive direct, real-time feedback from our members on the front lines and to ensure APhA can act at both the federal and state levels to ensure their legislative and regulatory success. The results speak for themselves with many victories to advance the profession of pharmacy.
Recently, we worked with the Oregon State Pharmacy Association to set up high level meetings both in Washington, DC, and Eugene, OR, with Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brook-LaSure in order to advocate for a direct payment pathway for pharmacists to provide the patient consultations and services necessary for prescribing Paxlovid.
Our teamwork with representatives in states such as Delaware has advanced legislation that allow pharmacists to test and treat for influenza, Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis, COVID-19, several minor ailments, and other emerging and existing public health threats.
APhA is making our—and your—voices heard across the country in New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, Hawaii, Louisiana, Indiana, and more.
From PBM reform to increasing scope of practice, adoption of USP general chapters, and making COVID-19 flexibilities permanent for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to increasing access to COVID-19 oral therapeutics, addressing test and treat inequities and including pharmacists—the medication expert in team-based, patient-centered care—as billable providers, APhA is joining with states to bring about real change.
Recent success for Nevadans
Federal provider status will give us authority in Medicare, but scope of practice remains state-dependent. Together, APhA and the Nevada Pharmacy Alliance partnered on the implementation of Nevada Senate bills to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice, allowing them to prescribe and dispense medications for hormonal contraception and HIV pre- and postexposure prophylaxis per protocols drafted by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. Additionally, these bills permit pharmacists in all outpatient care settings to be reimbursed for hormonal contraceptive and HIV prevention services.
We’re proud to share that through our collaboration and efforts, Nevada pharmacists can begin enrolling as providers and receive reimbursement for these health care services.
Driving forward
Each success represents a beginning, as there is always more work to be done. APhA will continue to advocate and seek opportunities to increase access to care provided by pharmacists and expand reimbursement models. We are committed to advocating for pharmacists and pharmacy teams. We are committed to you, your patients, and your communities. ■