ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

BY HOPE BROXTERMAN, Pharm.D., president, Michigan Pharmacists Association

Earlier this year, we reflected and celebrated all the excellent things the pharmacy profession accomplished over the last year. As we continue shaping pharmacy’s future, motivational speaker Nick Vujicic tells us to “keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities.” Opportunities! I love this word, because it holds promise, creates careers and moves us in new and unforeseen directions. For example, the exciting opportunity taking place to allow pharmacists to prescribe various treatments, ultimately allowing patients increased access to care. We have momentum for more opportunities!

In December 2022, the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act removed many barriers, such as the DEA’s “X-waiver,” which allows the opportunity for pharmacists in some states to prescribe buprenorphine, increasing access for patients with opioid use disorder.1 While prescribing buprenorphine is not currently a legislative bill for Michigan, it has opened the door to possibility.

In March 2022, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act was introduced.2 This act would have allowed pharmacists to continue to be covered for services related to testing and vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza, as well as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), followed by initiation of appropriate treatment. Although the ECAPS Act did not pass through the last Congress, the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) is currently working toward test-to-treat legislation with the Michigan House Health Policy Committee.

I am excited for pharmacy’s ability to assist in treating patients with illnesses such as RSV, strep throat, etc. This effort frees up primary care physician offices, urgent cares and emergency departments to focus on optimizing management of chronic disease states and emergency conditions such as heart attacks and seizures.

The pandemic came with numerous challenges. It also brought opportunity. Not only did pharmacy step up to the plate to deliver vaccines, but it was also given the opportunity to prescribe and dispense COVID-19 treatment. We proved our value by ensuring patients had access to the care they needed. Building upon that momentum, MPA is working with legislators to allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptive drugs.

The public health emergency declarations is set to end May 11, 2023, which means many current flexibilities – such as coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatment; telehealth services; and liability immunity to administer medical countermeasures – will cease.

Fortunately, the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act will not conclude until Oct. 1, 2024, allowing pharmacists and pharmacy interns to continue to administer COVID-19 immunizations to children between the ages of 3 and 18. Prior to COVID, pharmacy was able to vaccinate children if a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) was in place.3 Currently, our Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) and MPA staff are working to ensure that when the PREP Act ends, pharmacy can still immunize children without a CPA. Think of all the kids we will be able to continue to ensure are appropriately immunized!

So, I ask you, what do you want the future of pharmacy to look like and will you lend a hand to help shape that future? This is as easy as participating in your local or regional association, getting involved in your local chamber or rotary, joining MPA’s Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART), participating in MPA’s House of Delegates, or joining an MPA committee.

This summer, MPA will be sending a Membership Engagement survey allowing you the opportunity to signify your interest in serving on a committee and/or board, writing an article for a journal, providing a CE and other great opportunities. Collectively, our contributing efforts will help shape our future. Being involved is the best opportunity! Your questions are important so please ask how to get involved. Just contact MPA staff or myself. Our profession needs all of us involved. Paul Walker, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists president, said it best: “We are better together.”

References:

1. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/housebill/7213?s=1&r=75. 3/14/23

2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/445 3/14/23

3. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/what-happenswhen-covid-19-emergency-declarations-end-implications-forcoverage-costs-and-access/. 2/5/23