On Wednesday, March 2, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing titled, “Lessons from the Frontline: COVID-19’s Impact on American Health Care.”
Subcommittee members, Committee members and witnesses examined the far-reaching impacts of the COVID pandemic, looking specifically at how the nation can better prepare for future COVID variants and health crises, and discussing ways to empower the healthcare system to provide equitable and convenient access to routine care for the nation’s most vulnerable communities.
Pharmacies and pharmacy teams play a vital role in meeting Americans’ health and wellness needs — during public health emergencies and every day — and their ongoing contributions to the COVID pandemic response were top-of-mind in Wednesday’s hearing.
In describing the policies that have empowered the preparedness of pharmacy teams and other frontline workers, and the importance of maintaining these flexibilities after COVID subsides to help ensure the continuity of accessible care, Subcommittee Ranking Member Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said:
“Emergency flexibilities implemented by federal and state governments also helped increase patient access to healthcare — such as allowing pharmacists to deliver vaccines and allowing hospitals to compound medications that were in short supply. As we move forward, this Committee should examine which of these flexibilities should be available on a permanent basis.”
On Tuesday, NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson issued the following statement prior to the hearing:
“NACDS commends Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) for holding this hearing.
“The COVID-19 pandemic showed again that pharmacy comes through for the American people. Congress is reviewing pandemic preparedness. It is studying what the pandemic’s lessons mean for other aspects of healthcare – including the prevention and management of chronic disease. The trust, accessibility and equity of pharmacies and pharmacy teams must remain central to that discussion, just as they remain central to this pandemic’s response.
“Throughout the pandemic, pharmacies stayed open – lights on, doors open. Pharmacy teams filled gaps in care when other healthcare destinations and professionals were overrun. They ramped up COVID-19 testing as well as vaccinations for COVID-19 and flu – and for other important vaccinations that were not otherwise readily accessible. They adapted swiftly to rapidly changing government priorities. They now present tremendous capabilities to smooth the patient journey for COVID-19 antivirals. Their accessibility and equity – with a pharmacy within five miles of 90 percent of Americans – bring game-changing capabilities.
“From a global pandemic to meeting people’s day-to-day emergencies, pharmacies remain the face of neighborhood healthcare. Policies that have empowered their preparedness must not be rolled back, and must be enhanced for the ultimate benefit of all Americans. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores looks forward to working with Congress and with the Administration to ensure that is the case.”
Additionally, in late February, NACDS wrote a letter to the Biden Administration, requesting an extension to the authorities granted to pharmacy staff under the current Public Readiness and Preparedness (PREP) Act declaration. NACDS is urging this action to ensure Americans can maintain access to critical services at the nation’s pharmacies at least until 2024.
More information is available at NACDS.org/COVID-19.
