Federal, state inconsistencies had created barriers to eventual COVID-19 vaccinations and to existing vaccinations by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns.
Pharmacy group becomes one of nearly 60 organizations to join new effort focused on ensuring equitable access to eventual COVID-19 vaccinations, providing clear and trustworthy messaging on COVID-19 vaccination process.
New legislation allows pharmacists to order and perform CLIA-waived tests for COVID-19; permits pharmacy technicians to conduct remote data entry.
NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson issued the following statement, upon the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement about national and regional chain pharmacies’ and independent pharmacies’ role in increasing access to future COVID-19 vaccinations:
National pharmacy group is highly visible this week at National Association of Medicaid Directors 2020 Virtual Conference; invites Medicaid Directors and staff to interactive booth with flu-communications tools that can help reach vulnerable Americans.
NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson was interviewed by Carolyn Cawley, president, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and senior vice president, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as part of a U.S. Chamber of Commerce program titled “No Crystal Ball Needed: Keeping America Safe and Open.” The program was geared to representatives of 400 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Federation Partners, including state, metro and local chambers and business trade associations.
I want to thank and recognize Heather Schultz, a pharmacist at a Meijer Pharmacy in Saginaw, Michigan, for representing the profession, the industry, her company, and NACDS so effectively in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event. Many thanks as well to NACDS Chair Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer, Inc., and the entire Meijer team for their engagement in this event.
The guiding principles represent the commitment of the private sector to the efficient, well-coordinated distribution, allocation, and mass immunization against COVID-19 as a necessary countermeasure to the current pandemic.
“The trust and accessibility of pharmacies are essential to public health preparedness and this is another important decision that will help to reach more Americans more efficiently”.
At a virtual industry event, NACDS' president and CEO delivered "state of the industry" remarks hailing the role of pharmacy to address COVID-19 and to confront health disparities, and calling for pro-patient and pro-pharmacy public policy.
