ACCP Joins Pharmacy-Wide Outreach to White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator

April 20, 2022

ACCP joined with our pharmacy colleagues to welcome incoming White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, who will lead President Biden’s Coronavirus Task Force.

Ashish K. Jha, M.D., M.P.H., was formerly Dean of the Brown School of Public Health, as well as professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice. Dr. Jha is recognized globally as an expert on pandemic preparedness and response as well as on health policy research and practice.

In a letter signed by thirteen national organizations, the pharmacy profession detailed the contributions pharmacists have made as critical providers of infectious disease testing, vaccination, and administration of COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments in pharmacies, hospitals and health systems, and long-term care and assisted living facilities.

In particular, the pharmacy profession called for direct White House action on three major areas of concern:

• Limited Ability to Engage in “Test to Treat” due to FDA Limitations.
• Reimbursement for Testing, Vaccination, and Treatment of Uninsured Patients.
• Maintaining and Reimbursing PREP Act Services Provided by Pharmacists.

The letter also called for action on federal legislation, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacy Services Act (ECAPS), which would ensure patient access to these services during any future Public Health Emergency (PHE). In the meantime, the HHS Secretary could clarify (or otherwise amend or extend) that the temporary pharmacist authorities under PREP Act declarations will remain in place until at least October 2024 and not be impacted by the lifting of the COVID-19 PHE.

Click here to read the letter in full.