The letter said states where community pharmacists have taken a larger leadership role have seen a much faster distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable populations.<br />
In a letter to the National Governors Association, NCPA and the Association of Consultant Pharmacists urge states to follow West Virginia’s model and use independent pharmacists in the state vaccine program. In a press release, NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey said, “The states that are most effective right now are states that have engaged community pharmacies in their vaccine programs. We need to immunize tens of millions of seniors, and we need to do it quickly.
Senior Editor
With many states struggling to immunize senior citizens and other vulnerable populations against COVID-19, two leading pharmacy groups, The National Community Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists on Tuesday sent a joint letter to the nation’s governors, urging them to enlist independent long-term care pharmacies to swing into action quickly.
“Independent long-term care pharmacists have the experience, specialized knowledge, and, most importantly, the relationships to bring the vaccine to the people who need it most,” said Chad Worz, chief executive of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, whose members specialize in long-term care. “Many states are struggling to serve long-term care populations. We are urging governors to take advantage of the independent long-term care pharmacists who are ready to vaccinate and are already serving these populations for their medication needs.”
CVS and Walgreens blamed for slow vaccine rollout in nursing homes By Stephen Gandel AARP CEO: Nursing home deaths an unconscionable disaster
CVS on Monday touted its nationwide progress vaccinating residents and workers in long-term care facilities against COVID-19. The drugstore chain announced it has administered its entire batch some 2 million shots of first doses in the nearly 8,000 nursing homes working with CVS.
That milestone is unlikely to allay complaints that CVS and Walgreens, the other major pharmacy chain tapped by the federal government to inoculate vulnerable populations in nursing homes, assisted living centers and other health providers, are falling short. Critics say the vaccine rollout to long-term care residents has been ill-planned and mismanaged, raising the death toll.
Independent Pharmacies Can be a Shot in the Arm for State Vaccine Programs, National Groups Tell Governors ASCP and NCPA say the fastest, safest, and best way to immunize seniors and others is to engage independent pharmacies with existing relationships and years of experience
January 26, 2021 13:25 ET | Source: National Community Pharmacists Association National Community Pharmacists Association Alexandria Virginia, UNITED STATES
Alexandria, Va., Jan. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) With many states struggling to immunize senior citizens and other vulnerable populations against COVID-19, two leading pharmacy groups today called on the nation’s governors to enlist independent long-term care pharmacies that know their communities best and can swing into action quickly.