Today's Perspective
Kristin Wiisanen, PharmD, FAPhA, FCCP, Pharmacy Today editor in chief
In his state of the union address earlier this year, President Biden announced the “Test to Treat” initiative for patients to gain access to COVID-19 testing and treatments in pharmacies. This effort would allow pharmacists to administer COVID-19 tests and, if patients test positive, provide patient access to needed medications. Although this approach holds promise, there have been some roadblocks in making pharmacies a one-stop-shop for test and treat throughout the country.
This month’s Pharmacy Today cover story explains the Test to Treat initiative and digs into the controversy surrounding this topic. In short, the Test to Treat initiative, coordinated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, authorizes qualifying pharmacies with colocated authorized prescribers to serve as a site for COVID-19 testing and subsequent dispensing of oral antivirals. The sticking point, though, is that pharmacists aren’t actually authorized to prescribe these medications. APhA was one of fourteen pharmacy associations and organizations that sent a letter to President Biden shortly after his address. This letter highlighted pharmacists’ knowledge and skills as medication experts and as the primary health professionals charged with responsibility to ensure “safe medication use, including identifying and mitigating drug interactions associated with oral antiviral medications for COVID-19.” This is an evolving issue and we are continuing to follow it and advocate for the essential role of the pharmacist.
In this month’s issue of Today, you’ll also find guidance on treating menstrual cramps, switching between generic levothyroxine products, and the many uses of aloe vera. You’ll learn about a new statement on marijuana and brain health from the American Heart Association, OTC availability of hearing aids, frequently asked questions about COVID-19 tests, and get this month’s CPE article on updates in diabetes clinical practice guidelines.
President Biden’s advocacy for Test to Treat in pharmacies may seem like two steps forward and one step back. On the one hand, the accessibility and expertise of pharmacists was highlighted in a strategic national forum (yay!). On the other hand, in this effort as with many others, pharmacists’ abilities to impact patient care and improve outcomes hinges on our status as providers (not so yay). I applaud APhA for continuing to advocate for pharmacists in this space. Working together, we will be able to achieve more for patients through Test to Treat and other initiatives aiming to improve quality and access to patient care.
Have a great Today! ■