Background: 

ACP opposes the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (H.R. 1770/ S. 2477), which would continue and expand coverage, established temporarily during the COVID-19 public health emergency, for pharmacist services relating to the evaluation and management of patients for testing and treatment for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). ACP strongly supports a physician-led, team-based approach to patient care. Non-physician practitioners, including pharmacists, are essential members of the care team and provide quality patient care as part of a physician-led team. Physicians work closely with pharmacists to ensure patients are prescribed safe, effective, and appropriate medications. A recent survey of U.S. voters showed that 95 percent said it is important for a physician to be involved in their diagnosis and treatment decisions. Team-based care requires leadership, and physician expertise is widely recognized as integral to quality medical care.

ACP is concerned that this bill could undermine the physician-led, team-based care models proven to be most effective in improving quality, efficiency, and patient health. We are concerned that expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, allowing them to treat and diagnose upper respiratory illnesses, that they are not uniquely trained for will be detrimental for patient safety. In the short-term, it could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in much-needed care. In the long-term, it will contribute to the fragmentation of care since pharmacists do not have access to patients’ full medical records. Granting independent diagnosis and prescription authority for pharmacists to treat the flu, COVID-19, strep throat, and other similar conditions without coordinating with a physician, who is trained to provide comprehensive care, will exacerbate health disparities and disrupt the continuity of care.

Action Requested: Please urge your members of Congress to oppose (H.R. 1770/ S. 2477) which would permanently authorize Medicare coverage for expanded pharmacist scope of practice. 

Thank you for your continued advocacy.

Please contact Shuan Tomlinson at stomlinson@acponline.org with any questions about this campaign.