I want to share with you my statement on the presidential election. APhA will continue to inform you on our advocacy work before and after the inauguration.

The statement:

“The American Pharmacists Association welcomes the opportunity to work with the new administration and the 117th Congress to continue recognizing pharmacists as medical experts providing patient care. Chief among these are efforts to secure pharmacist provider status for Medicare coverage, and advocating for fundamental payment reform for pharmacists’ services.

“Throughout the pandemic, pharmacists have repeatedly demonstrated that we are essential frontline providers on the health care team and courageous warriors in the fight against the coronavirus. Every day, we provide access to critical medications while delivering adult and pediatric immunizations, medication management, diabetes care, and much more.

“During the pandemic, pharmacists temporarily secured expanded authority to serve their patients. It has made a difference. We will ask the next administration to maintain the authorities granted under the public health emergency so pharmacists can continue providing enhanced care and services to patients, including testing, treating, immunization, and telehealth. Now is the time to reform payment mechanisms and remove regulatory barriers to ensure that patients continue to have access to all vital services that pharmacists are trained to provide – during the pandemic and after.”