What You Should Know About Pharmacy Legislation

by Olivia Sargent, Policy VP 2026-27

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H.R. 3164: The Main Street Pharmacy Access Act

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Currently, 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, making pharmacists some of the most accessible healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas with substantial healthcare provider shortages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists were able to test and treat seniors for COVID-19 while being reimbursed for their services by Medicare during a public health emergency. Pharmacists completed more than 350 million clinical interventions, which prevented more than 8 million hospitalizations and saved $450 million in healthcare costs. H.R. 3164 seeks to continue this precedent and promote better health outcomes among seniors. Similarly, pharmacists have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and improve medication adherence while collaborating with physicians.

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The Main Street Pharmacy Access Act will enable pharmacists to treat common respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and influenza, while providing permanent Medicare reimbursement in accordance with state laws. This bill seeks to increase access to high-quality healthcare by enabling pharmacists to provide essential patient care services consistent with their education, training, and licensure.

 

H.R. 7189: The PrEP Access Act

 

 The PrEP Access Act enables Medicare beneficiaries to use their insurance coverage for pharmacist-furnished PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. When permitted under state law, Medicare Part B will cover medications, clinical laboratory tests, and drug administration costs for HIV treatment at the pharmacy, helping to reduce overall government healthcare spending.

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PrEP can reduce HIV transmission by up to 99% when taken consistently, and each prevented case helps curb Medicare spending and maximize the value of taxpayer dollars. The convenience of pharmacies also ensures that patients with HIV exposures can begin PEP without delays, helping to prevent avoidable infections. Since pharmacists are some of the most accessible healthcare providers, furnishing PrEP and PEP at the pharmacy helps beneficiaries save time and money, especially in rural areas.

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Currently, patients in several states already receive PrEP and PEP at the pharmacy, so H.R. 7189 would allow beneficiaries to have better access to services that are already available in their communities.

 

What You Can Do To Support Pharmacy Legislation: 

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Take action!

 

1. Support pharmacy organizations

2. Send a letter to local legislators

3. Meet with your local representative

4. Stay informed about current issues in pharmacy 

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Send a letter to your local legislator here

 

Don't worry, a letter is already pre-drafted, and you can edit it however you want.

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Not sure who your local representative is? Click here for more information.

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Learn more about how bills are passed here! 

 

 

 

 

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