SCPC Statement on Congressional Evaluation of COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts

DATE: February 1, 2021

Existing Long-Term Care Pharmacy Infrastructure Well Positioned to Help Speed Vaccine Distribution

Washington, DC – In advance of this week’s House Energy and Commerce hearings on oversight and improving COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) today offered the following statement from SCPC President and CEO, Alan Rosenbloom:

“SCPC applauds the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s efforts to examine the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution program with two hearings this week, the first before the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee tomorrow. The hearing is especially timely as the Biden Administration ramps up vaccine distribution efforts. There are lessons to be learned from the first month of vaccine distribution that can assist these efforts and create greater transparency for the general public and other stakeholders.

Long-term care (LTC) pharmacies have a long and successful history of effectively and efficiently providing prescription drugs, flu vaccines and other medication services to vulnerable LTC populations, including American seniors who reside in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.  While any vaccine distribution model will have to navigate supply shortages, allocation priorities, and a complex patchwork of regulatory jurisdictions, LTC pharmacies have successfully demonstrated in West Virginia, Alaska and other select counties across the country that they are well equipped to coordinate and manage the rigorous administrative requirements necessary to ensure an efficient vaccination distribution effort.

Moving forward, as Congress and the Biden Administration expand access to vaccines, policymakers should rely more fully on the existing and well-established LTC pharmacy medication distribution infrastructure. Doing so will accelerate vaccine administration among residents in LTC facilities, a group that was hit early and hard by COVID-19 and deserves prompt access to vaccines.”

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The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) is the only national organization exclusively representing the interests of LTC pharmacies. Its members operate in all 50 states and serve 850,000 patients daily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the country. Visit seniorcarepharmacies.org to learn more.