Statement from Scott J. Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Pharmacists Association, following the release of the HEALS Act:

“APhA is disappointed that the HEALS Act, the Senate’s $1 trillion coronavirus stimulus legislative package announced Monday, does not include language designating pharmacists as providers under Medicare Part B for COVID-19 and influenza testing and immunization. This language would allow Congress to dramatically expand COVID-19 testing and immunization by including the most accessible health care providers in the nation: pharmacists.  

In a letter delivered today to the majority and minority leaders of Congress, the American Pharmacists Association requested immediate action to address the growing need to expand COVID-19 testing and immunization services by providing all pharmacists with temporary provider status in Medicare Part B.

The letter states, “America’s pharmacists stand ready and able to provide the patient care services necessary to help meet the public health needs created by the spread of the coronavirus. To unleash the full potential of pharmacists’ contributions for testing and immunization, Congress must designate pharmacists as providers under Medicare Part B for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV testing and immunization.”

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) stand with front-line pharmacists around the world who are caring for patients and rely heavily on the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 global crisis. Global efforts for patient care support and access to safe and quality medical products, among other support, are essential and cannot be compromised.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s leading certifying organization for pharmacy technicians, is pleased to announce a collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to provide pharmacy technician credentialing in immunization delivery to those completing the APhA/Washington State University Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians program. 

The training program will serve as a stepping stone for PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) to earn an Assessment-Based Certificate. Developed by APhA in partnership with Washington State University, the training program provides pharmacy technicians with the knowledge and skills they need to safely administer vaccinations to patients.

“This very exciting collaboration builds on APhA’s decades of experience in delivering pharmacy-based immunization training,” said Daniel Zlott, PharmD, BCOP, Vice President of Professional Education Resources for APhA. “The program will ensure that pharmacy technicians who complete the training are well-positioned to support immunization-related services within pharmacies, while the US identifies solutions to meet the increased demand for vaccine services that we anticipate in the face of the upcoming flu season, provision of routine vaccines, and the release of a COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.

The APhA Board of Trustees has taken a critical next step in addressing structural racism in pharmacy by appointing a diverse group of APhA members to provide input and guidance to the APhA Board and staff. The task force will recommend actions driving short- and long-term strategies to eliminate racism, discrimination, injustice, and the marginalization of individuals within the profession and communities that APhA members serve.

“The creation of this task force will put in motion an action plan to address racism and discrimination in every facet of our profession. It is important for APhA, the only organization representing all of pharmacy, to take a stand and use our platform to create positive change. Our members and their patients are counting on us,” noted APhA CEO and Executive Vice President Scott J. Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP.