The Issue

In communities across the country, pharmacists are often the first and most easily accessible health care provider. Americans depend on pharmacists to provide timely and reliable care and services.

The pandemic has demonstrated that pharmacists are essential in providing health care and services for Americans, especially underrepresented and underserved populations and rural communities. Restricting pharmacist services threatens access to care for these and other at-risk patients and communities.

Today, pharmacists are providing a critical care lifeline to patients under a patchwork of federal and state policies that were put into place in response to the pandemic. But federal barriers undermine the ability of pharmacists to continue to meet patients where they are and the ability of patients to access health care in their communities, particularly during this pandemic that has overburdened our health care system.   

Congress must act quickly to address current-law limitations and ensure patients can continue to access essential care and services provided by pharmacists, among the most trusted and accessible health care professionals on whom entire communities have come to rely.

By acting now, Congress will ensure patients can continue to access essential care and services provided by pharmacists. In doing so, federal lawmakers would alleviate gaps in care, preserve vital health care access in the future, and advance health equity. 

The Coalition supports legislation to ensure patients can continue to access essential care and services provided by pharmacists. By acting now, Congress can ensure pharmacists services are covered, alleviate any gaps in patient care, and advance health equity. Congress must act quickly to address current-law limitations and ensure patients can continue to access essential care and services provided by pharmacists, among the most trusted and accessible health care professionals on whom entire communities have come to rely.