APhA's expert team consistently advocates to the Administration and federal agencies (HHS, CMS, FDA, CDC, NIH, DEA, FTC, and others) on issues of importance to pharmacy and pharmacists, including recognition of pharmacists as providers, payment reform, expansion of pharmacists’ patient care services, addressing the opioid crisis, health IT, telehealth, and other policies to improve public health.

APhA is pushing to make permanent the largest expansion of pharmacist authorities that were introduced as part of the pandemic response including allowing pharmacies to offer FDA-approved vaccines and therapeutics, point-of-care tests, and Medicare reimbursement for administration of COVID-19 vaccines at a rate nearly double the current rate, flexibility to compound medications in shortage for hospitalized patients, and flexible telehealth authorities. We’ve already helped increase the number of pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 vaccines from 17,000 to nearly 40,000.

APhA sets the standard for specialized and advanced pharmacy training. Our publications, certificate training, and certification/recertification programs open new opportunities for patient care and patient relationships, billable services, and an expansion of product offerings in community pharmacies. Over the years APhA has prepared over 400,000 pharmacists and 75,000 technicians to offer immunization services and countless pharmacists are also trained to provide patient care in diabetes, cardiovascular, Medication Therapy Management (MTM), and other services because of APhA’s innovative education and practice resources.