COVID-19 Resources (Updated 1/3/2021):

NYS Education Department has a frequently asked questions section on their website related to COVID-19 Executive Orders and emergency regulations. NYSCHP would like to mention a few items of note:

  • COVID-19 Testing: NYS DOH released guidance about pharmacists ordering and administering COVID-19 tests
    • Pharmacists may order/administer these tests per the Executive order after completion of the training. They may also be designated “qualified healthcare professional” for the purpose of directing a limited service laboratory (LSL) and overseeing a testing program
    • NYSCHP has downloaded the DOH training, which is available HERE
    • There are requirements for the following which should be reviewed prior to your pharmacy becoming a testing site:
      • Reporting to NYS DOH/local health department
      • Reporting to patient primary care provider
      • PPE protocol
      • Testing protocol
      • Patient counseling
    • Pharmacies may coordinate with an existing laboratory or apply to become an LSL
    • This is only applicable during the declared state of emergency
  • CPR/BLS training: Re-certification can be done virtually/online

NYSCHP has requested the Governor issue executive orders during the pandemic that would allow the pharmacist to provide the best care:

COVID-19 Vaccine:

Please see https://www.nyschp.org/immunization for more information.

As a reminder:

  • Hepatitis A vaccine: NYS is the only state which does not allow pharmacists to administer
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: NYS is the only state which does not allow pharmacists to administer
  • MMR vaccine: NYS/WV are the only 2 states which do not allow pharmacists to administer
  • HPV vaccine: NYS/WV are the only 2 states which do not allow pharmacists to administer
  • Varicella vaccine: NYS/NH are the only 2 states which do not allow pharmacists to administer

NYSCHP has requested the Governor issue an executive order to expand vaccine authority during the crisis (Read HERE); we believe it is even more acutely needed as clinics, offices are closed. Executive orders expire after 30 days.

We also support S2024 (May)/A1221 (Paulin), which would permanently expand pharmacist authority to all CDC-recommended vaccines, eliminate the unnecessary expiration date on the authority, remove the rule that the pharmacist needs an order from a provider in their county/adjoining county. Read our fact sheet HERE.

Medicaid Funding:

ASHP and twenty-four health system pharmacy organizations, including NYSCHP, sent a letter to Congressional Leadership asking for improved Medicaid funding in rounds of economic stimulus due to the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on those who are economically challenged. Read this letter HERE.


Emergency Preparedness

NYSCHP members have seen their share of recent disasters – 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, now COVID-19.  While not everything can be predicted, there will always be need for swiftness and flexibility. For this, the Council has some general recommendations for all emergencies below. For all other information, please review NYS Education Department:

  • Outpatient pharmacies may be able to fill refills from prescriptions which were dispensed from closed/unavailable pharmacies; for example, if they have a shared database. If they do not, the pharmacist may be able to fill either a limited or full supply depending on the circumstance and subject to emergency declaration by the Governor
  • If a patient presents with no evidence of a controlled substance prescription and the prescriber is inaccessible, and the patient states they are in need of maintenance medication, the patient should be directed to an emergency medical care facility (hospital, urgent care, etc.).
  • Records of all emergency transactions MUST be maintained.
  • Pharmacists may transfer needed stock between and among pharmacies without a wholesale license in this emergency situation.

NYS Education Department has a frequently asked questions section on their website related to COVID-19 Executive Orders and emergency regulations. NYSCHP would like to mention a few items of note:

  • COVID-19 Testing: NYS DOH released guidance about pharmacists ordering and administering COVID-19 tests
    • Pharmacists may order/administer these tests per the Executive order after completion of the training. They may also be designated “qualified healthcare professional” for the purpose of directing a limited service laboratory (LSL) and overseeing a testing program
    • NYSCHP has downloaded the DOH training, which is available HERE
    • There are requirements for the following which should be reviewed prior to your pharmacy becoming a testing site:
      • Reporting to NYS DOH/local health department
      • Reporting to patient primary care provider
      • PPE protocol
      • Testing protocol
      • Patient counseling
    • Pharmacies may coordinate with an existing laboratory or apply to become an LSL
    • This is only applicable during the declared state of emergency
  • CPR/BLS training: Re-certification can be done virtually/online

 

NYSCHP has requested the Governor issue executive orders during the pandemic that would allow the pharmacist to provide the best care:

 

COVID-19 Vaccine: Please see https://www.nyschp.org/immunization for more information