Pharmacy Organizations Welcome FDA Authorization of COVID Vaccine: “We Stand Ready to Serve”

Alexandria, Va., Dec. 11, 2020 – The leaders of 18 pharmacy organizations today issued the following statement following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the first Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“We heartily welcome the decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize the emergency use of the first COVID-19 vaccine, following the recommendation of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC). 

“This is a historic moment in the nation’s effort to end the pandemic. The pharmacy profession is ready to do its part as qualified, active participants in administering these vaccines in accordance with guidance issued by the FDA, CDC, HHS and state and local health departments, as well as increasing access for the American public to these important disease prevention tools.

“We are confident that FDA has taken extraordinary care to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective. The American people should have great confidence in the vaccine. The vast majority of pharmacists have indicated in recent surveys that they intend to be vaccinated themselves and plan to recommend the vaccine to their patients. More than 360,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians nationwide are trained to administer vaccines.

“Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers in the nation, with 90% of Americans living within 5 miles of pharmacy. Across the nation they stand ready, in all patient care settings, to administer the vaccine and counsel patients through this critical moment in our nation’s history. As trusted health professionals dedicated to serving the health care needs of our communities, we stand ready to serve.”

Supporting organizations:

• Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education 
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
• American College of Apothecaries
• American College of Clinical Pharmacy
• American Pharmacists Association
• American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists
• Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
• National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
• National Association of Chain Drug Stores
• National Association of Specialty Pharmacy
• National Community Pharmacists Association
• National Pharmaceutical Association
• Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Quality Alliance

About AMCP   
AMCP is the professional association leading the way to help patients get the medications they need at a cost they can afford. AMCP’s diverse membership of pharmacists, physicians, nurses, biopharmaceutical professionals, and other stakeholders leverage their specialized expertise in clinical evidence and economics to optimize medication benefit design and population health management and help patients access cost-effective and safe medications and other drug therapies. AMCP members improve the lives of nearly 300 million Americans served by private and public health plans, pharmacy benefit management firms, and emerging care models. Visit www.amcp.org.