Emergency Preparedness
Maria G. Tanzi, PharmD
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shown how pharmacists can contribute to emergency preparedness and response by being involved in diagnostic testing, vaccinations, and ensuring the continued safe use of medications.
According to results of a recent survey published in the November/December 2021 issue of JAPhA, both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians exhibited a high level of willingness to assist in cases of emergencies, but many had limited training and experience in this area. The majority of respondents were also unaware of what a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was or how to go about establishing one with health agencies. These data suggest that increased awareness and training are needed on resources that can help pharmacy teams better prepare for emergencies.
What is an MOU?
During public health emergencies, there is often a great need to boost vaccination capacity, and these endeavors require advance planning. An MOU (also known as a memorandum of agreement, MOA) is a formal, written agreement that sets forth the terms between 2 or more parties such as local health agencies and pharmacies. Although not legally binding, these agreements make it possible to plan for action in advance, rather than in the middle of an emergency.
The MOU is beneficial to both parties, as public health agencies can extend vaccine access via community pharmacies, and community pharmacies can benefit from early allocation of federal pandemic vaccine supply and the ability to develop a distribution approach in advance. Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has an example of an MOA which can be accessed online (www.health.pa.gov/topics/prep/Pages/Pharmacy-MOA.aspx).
NCPDP resource
One of the most comprehensive emergency preparedness resources for pharmacy personnel has been developed by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP). The document titled “NCPDP Emergency Preparedness Guidance” provides information to the pharmacy industry about resources available during a declared emergency.
The NCPDP formed an Emergency Preparedness Task Group after Hurricane Katrina so that a resource could be created to help pharmacies provide patients with necessary medications during hurricanes, floods, tornados, fires, and pandemics. The guidance has information on emergency declarations, activation of emergency response procedures, and how to implement necessary emergency pharmacy services. Extensive information on prescription claims processing during emergencies is also included. More recently, the NCPDP added guidance related to billing for select services related to the COVID-19 pandemic such as COVID-19 vaccines and diagnostic testing.
“Stakeholders, including pharmacists, have used this guidance throughout the pandemic to bill for COVID tests, vaccinations, monoclonal antibodies, and now [potentially] the oral antivirals,” said Lee Ann Stember, NCPDP president and CEO. ”Our guidance has been used by both payers and pharmacists to ensure uninterrupted services to our patients. The guidance helped enable pharmacists to greatly increase accessibility to both testing and vaccinations for patients across the United States. This access has been especially critical in rural and other underserved areas.”
The most recent guidance document is available online (ncpdp.org/Resources.aspx). ■
Other resources
State boards of pharmacy often share relevant information during emergencies that impact pharmacy practice and are a valuable source of information. A variety of other emergency preparedness resources can be found on CDC and APhA websites.
- CDC has an Emergency Preparedness and Response page (emergency.cdc.gov/) and also has information on its website about the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program (FRPP) for COVID-19 vaccinations. The FRPP program is a collaboration between 21 retail pharmacy partners and federal/local governments in which certain retail pharmacies nationwide have been receiving COVID-19 vaccine supply directly from the federal government. As of December 21, 2021, CDC announced that more than 198.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered and reported by participating pharmacies.
- APhA’s new book, Disasters and Emergencies (apha.us/disasters), contains timely information to guide pharmacy professionals, educators, leaders, and policy makers to plan for emergencies and disasters.
- APhA also has resources on reimbursement for administration of COVID-19 vaccines and tests at apha.us/reimbursement.
- Pharmacists should also be aware of the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP). The EPAP allows enrolled pharmacies to process claims for patients living in a federally identified disaster area who do not have insurance and need medications, vaccinations, or other medically related supplies.