NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson issued the following statement today related to the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 7213) that would help ensure the continuity of accessible pharmacy-based care:
“Americans appreciated access to trusted, convenient and equitable pharmacies and pharmacy teams throughout the pandemic. The reality is that American’s ability to go to their pharmacies for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing – and other critical services – was largely possible because of a temporary public policy infrastructure built during the pandemic. Moving forward with confidence requires ensuring we remain prepared as a nation, and that means maintaining pharmacy access through this legislation.
“NACDS expresses appreciation to Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. David B. McKinley (R-WV), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) for taking up this issue. It is critical for patients’ access to their pharmacies that this legislation is enacted.
“When lessons and recommendations from the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed, enactment of this legislation should be among the top of the list.
“A Morning Consult poll commissioned by NACDS and conducted February 15-16 found that two-in-three adults (68%) rate pharmacies’ response to COVID-19 as excellent or good – only two points behind hospitals which rated highest. When thinking about healthcare, over four-in-five adults (86%) indicate that it is easy to access pharmacies – positioning them as the most accessible entities tested.
“Pharmacies provide more than 2 of every 3 COVID-19 vaccination doses. Half of pharmacy COVID-19 vaccination sites are located in areas with high social vulnerability, and 70% of pharmacy testing sites are in areas with moderate to severe social vulnerability. There is a pharmacy within 5 miles of 90 percent of Americans. The capacity of healthcare delivery in America is such that the pandemic response could not have happened without pharmacies. Americans deserve a reliable healthcare delivery system that builds that fact and that preparedness into the future of pandemic response.”
NACDS is among the Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition members supporting this pivotal legislation, which would not only help the nation better prepare for future COVID-19 variants and health crises, but would also empower the healthcare system to provide equitable and convenient access to routine care across communities.
The Coalition statement details a far-reaching array of entities – including patient groups and other healthcare professionals – that already have voiced support for this legislation.
More information about NACDS’ lessons and recommendations from the pandemic can be found at www.NACDS.org/COVID-19.
