Latest Updates

On September 9th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act authorizing state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer—and pharmacy interns acting under supervision of qualified pharmacists to administer—COVID-19 vaccinations (once approved and available) to persons ages 3 and older. This authorization preempts state and local laws that prohibit qualified pharmacists from ordering and administering COVID-19 vaccines and will remain in effect during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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.