Latest Updates

NCPA is working with federal and state public health officials, members of Congress, state legislators and boards of pharmacy to ensure that pharmacists can administer COVID-19 vaccinations when they are approved.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar authorized state-licensed pharmacists (and pharmacy interns acting under supervision of a licensed pharmacist) to order/administer CDC recommended & FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines for children age 3-18 (pharmacists must meet requirements outlined in the HHS press release). This new authorization aims to ensure stronger vaccine access for children during the pandemic, following a May CDC report showing a decline in childhood immunizations.

Last week, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) introduced the Long-Term Care Pharmacy Definition Act of 2020. This legislation would establish a clear definition, in federal statute, of LTC pharmacy which would help modernize and clarify government oversight over the LTC pharmacy site of care and would reduce regulatory conflicts.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the AmerisourceBergen Government Affairs & Policy (ABC GA&P) team has closely monitored several state legislative measures with impact to ABC, pharmacies, physician practices, hospitals, veterinary practices and patients.

AmerisourceBergen (ABC) and Good Neighbor Pharmacy (GNP) continue to engage with Members of Congress on pharmacy priorities including empowering pharmacists to be able to provide and be reimbursed for COVID-19 testing and vaccination once available.