According to a message from CEO of APhA Tom Menhigan, efforts by the organization and pharmacists around the country have helped gain recognition for patient access to pharmacist-provided services among members of Congress.
Two-hundred seventy-two (272) members of the House of Representatives and 53 Senators have signed on to H.R. 592 and S. 109, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act which would allow pharmacists to provide a range of health care services in rural areas — a major impact in rural West Virginia.
The APhA and the Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition are focusing their advocacy efforts on highlighting pharmacists’ services related to substance use disorder and treatment. The use and impact of medications, including opioids, are optimized when pharmacists are a part of the care team, said Menhigan.
APhA and supporting organizations, including the WV Pharmacists Association, will continue talking to Congress, state legislators and other providers about the value pharmacists provide.
