His term of office will expire on Dec 31, 2026.

Gilmore, a Duquesne University School of Pharmacy graduate, has experience as a clinical pharmacist in hospital and chain retail settings.

This position fills a vacancy that existed on the current Board due to a resignation.

President-Elect
Brandon Antinopolous, Owner/Pharmacy Manager, Forward Rx, New Brighton, PA

Vice President
Kyle McCormick, Owner, Blueberry Pharmacy and Cost-Plus Pharmacy Consulting, Pittsburgh, PA 

Director, Academia
Patricia Klatt, Clinical Director, University of Pittsburgh Vaccination and Health Connection Hub, Pittsburgh, PA 

Director, Community Independent/Long Term Care
Thomas DePietro, Owner, DePietro's Pharmacy, Dunmore, PA 

Director, Health System
Frank Konzelman, Pharmacy Manager-Inpatient, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 

Director, At Large
Jeffrey Gonzales, Ambulatory and Population Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, Newtown Square, PA 

Director, At Large
Amy Woods, Assistant Dean of Student Services, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 

Director, Pharmacy Technician
Shyann Barrett, Pharmacy Technician / Manager, Danville Pharmacy, Danville, PA 

Director, Northwest
Ron McDermott, SVP Operations / Owner, Hometown Pharmacy Solutions, Grove City, PA 

Director, Southeast
Darren Mensch, Population Health Pharmacist, Jefferson Health, Ambler, PA 

As the most accessible healthcare providers, Pharmacists serve as a trusted resource in communities throughout the Commonwealth. PPA stands ready to support state and agency initiatives that advance evidence-based immunization guidance and expand patient access. Further, we welcome the opportunity to support Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen with pharmacist representation on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Vaccine Workgroup.

“Pharmacists are on the frontlines of patient care, ensuring Pennsylvanians can access the immunizations they need without barriers,” said Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association CEO Victoria Elliott, RPh, MA, CAE. “We applaud Governor Shapiro for issuing this Executive Order, which strengthens pharmacists’ ability to serve patients across community pharmacies, health systems and clinics by ensuring immunization decisions are guided by evidence, professional judgment and also supported through insurance coverage requirements.”

To fully realize the goals of this Executive Order, it is critical that Pharmacists be empowered to practice to the full scope of their training and expertise and be fairly reimbursed for the clinical services provided. Pharmacists are often the first and most frequent point of contact for patients seeking immunizations and other preventive care, yet insurance reimbursement regulations have not kept pace with their expanding roles. Ensuring payment parity for pharmacist services will strengthen access, improve health outcomes and reduce costs across the healthcare system, while allowing Pharmacists to continue serving patients in Pennsylvania communities.

Recent changes to the State Board of Pharmacy’s regulatory language strengthen patient access by allowing pharmacists to use all the identified evidence-based sources referenced in the Executive Order. Ultimately, it is the pharmacist’s professional judgment after consultation with the patient that determines whether an immunization is appropriate.

PPA recognizes that no two patients are alike. Having personal health conversations with a pharmacist or medical professional ensures patients can make the best decision for either themselves or their family. PPA continues to advise its members and all pharmacist immunizers to:

• Update immunization protocols in accordance with the State Board of Pharmacy’s authorizing rule.
• Document conversations with patients, including whether the patient meets CDC qualifying conditions or requests immunizations following consultation.

About The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education and communication to enhance patient care and public health.

The program allows companies to host onsite flu shot clinics staffed by trusted community pharmacists. Employers simply provide space, while pharmacy staff coordinates everything else.  Experienced pharmacists can provide education and administer other needed vaccines as well. 

“Flu season leads to thousands of missed workdays every year,” said Robert Maher, PPCN President and Chief Operating Officer. “Our onsite flu clinics make it convenient for employees to get vaccinated during the workday, helping businesses reduce sick days and show they care about employee wellness.”

How it works:

• Licensed pharmacists and healthcare staff come onsite to administer vaccines
• Flexible scheduling to fit employer needs
• All supplies and logistics provided by pharmacy staff
• Quick, efficient process with minimal workplace disruption

Local employers interested in hosting a clinic can schedule a date now via the PPCN website:  https://www.papharmacistsnetwork.com/onsite-vaccine-clinics

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About The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, PPA promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health. For more information about PPA, visit papharmacists.com.

About Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network
The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN), part of CPESN® USA, is a clinically integrated network of more than 200 community pharmacies committed to advancing community-based care and health equity. PPCN pharmacies provide enhanced services that support medication safety, chronic disease management, and local access to care.

Pharmacists across Pennsylvania and the nation are being pushed to their limits. The closure of community pharmacies, staffing shortages and the failure of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide fair and sustainable reimbursements have significantly increased workloads. These circumstances are creating untenable environments that jeopardize both provider well-being and patient safety.

PPA provided background to WGAL-8 investigative reporter Susan Shapiro as she explored the complex challenges facing today’s pharmacists. Pharmacists are essential healthcare providers. They deserve safe working conditions, appropriate staffing, fair compensation, and the professional respect necessary to deliver high-quality care.

We urge state regulators, employers, legislators and stakeholders throughout the healthcare system to take these reports seriously and to act with urgency. PPA remains committed to advocating for a pharmacy practice environment that supports the health, safety, and well-being of both patients and providers.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24/7.

In addition, the , the Pharmacists' Health Program (PHP) is a peer assistance program that supports Pennsylvania pharmacists and pharmacy students and, once regulations are in effect, will also extend services to pharmacy technicians.

Learn about PHP Program, click here

PHP Contact info. - call: 866.747.2255 or 717.558.7819; text: 855.933.2605; email: php-foundation@pamedsoc.org 

Make a Referral to PHP, click here

NABP: Mental Health and Well-Being: For Pharmacy Staff

APhA – Well-being Resources

The creation of web information distinctive to pharmacy and brand identity for the Pharmacists’ Health Program (PharmHP) aims to promote early identification and facilitate the rehabilitation of pharmacists and trainees dealing with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and/or behavioral concerns. “Our goal is to coordinate assessment and treatment, as well as provide monitoring and advocacy to ensure the safe practice of the profession and the safety of the public,” states Tiffany Booher, Director of the Peer Assistance Monitoring Programs. 

“The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is pleased that the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society has relaunched its peer assistance monitoring program as a unique pharmacy-branded program to serve pharmacists and pharmacy students throughout the Commonwealth,” says PPA CEO Victoria Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE.

“Any Pharmacist or pharmacist candidate that may be struggling with a mental health, substance abuse disorder or behavioral issue has a safe, effective and confidential resource for treatment via the PharmHP.” 

PHP Program FAQs

PHP Resources

“We are excited to explore new ways to empower older adults to prevent falls, so they can stay healthy and independent,” said Victoria Elliott. “This grant will allow us to build on our existing services and ensure our programs reflect the needs and wants of the older adults in our community.”

Over the two-year grant period, PPA will deliver activities selected from a newly developed taxonomy for falls prevention and test whether they offer a flexible, adaptable, and relevant option to address their communities’ falls prevention needs. The activities fall into one of three categories: physical activity, home modification and assistive devices, and education and behavior change. Grantees are required to report on how they implement their activities and specific participant outcomes, in addition to participating in technical assistance opportunities and involving community members in overall planning and decision making.

In Pennsylvania, nearly 30% of residents aged older adults ages 65+ reported falling in the past 12 months. Nationally, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans, making the need for new falls prevention strategies more important now than ever.

The PPA project, titled, Community-Pharmacy Led Fall Prevention Initiative Enhancing Patient Safety Through Risk Assessment and Intervention will enhance patient safety and reduce fall-related injuries by equipping selected pharmacy teams across Pennsylvania with the tools and resources necessary to implement effective fall prevention strategies. With the support of our project partner, Value Drug Company, participating pharmacies will be empowered to provide personalized counseling on medication management, assistive device use, and home safety recommendations. By increasing pharmacists’ and pharmacy teams’ involvement in fall risk assessment and intervention, the project aims to position pharmacists as key healthcare providers in preventing falls and improving public health.

About PPA

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing almost all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health. For more information about PPA, visit papharmacists.com.

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) remains deeply concerned regarding the ongoing closures of both community and chain pharmacies across the Commonwealth. 

Pharmacists are not medication dispensers; they are healthcare providers that provide critical services such as immunizations, medication counseling, chronic disease management and urgent care interventions. When a pharmacy closes, patients lose a trusted, accessible healthcare provider in their community. These closures create a public health threat by the emergence of pharmacy deserts (areas where patients face significant barriers to accessing essential pharmacy services).

The creation of pharmacy deserts disproportionately affects rural communities, underserved urban neighborhoods, older adults and patients with limited transportation options. This growing gap in access increases the risk of medication nonadherence, delays in treatment and worse health outcomes that place an additional strain on already overburdened healthcare systems.

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association calls on the administration, state and federal policymakers, health insurers and industry stakeholders to recognize the essential role pharmacists play in community health promotion and wellness and to take urgent action to protect and preserve access to pharmacist services. We urge reforms to reimbursement models for PA Medicaid, commercial plans and Medicare, increased support for independent and rural pharmacies and a collaborative approach to ensure that no Pennsylvanian is left without the pharmacy care services they need and deserve.

Message from the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Dear Pharmacy Professional,

We are deeply saddened by the news that hits close to home for many in our communities. The announcement that Rite Aid is seeking the sale of their assets is another difficult chapter. This, along with ongoing closures of independent pharmacies and impacts of federal cuts, is increasingly making for uncertain and stressful times for pharmacy professionals.

For the pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and technicians who serve their communities, this moment brings not only professional uncertainty but also a profound personal impact.



While we don’t yet know what lies ahead, please know that the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is here for you. We are committed to supporting our members—and the wider pharmacy family—through career transitions and professional challenges.

To assist with transition, we are actively making our career support resources available to all who may be impacted. Whether you’re exploring new job opportunities, seeking resume assistance, or need career guidance, visit the

PPA Career center: https://ppa.associationcareernetwork.com.

(Please share this resource with colleagues who are also impacted.)

We encourage you to remain, or become, more actively engaged with PPA. PPA is YOUR professional organization, we exist to support and enhance the profession of pharmacy in the Commonwealth. If you have questions about your membership status or other issues, please Connect with us.

In the face of change, one thing remains steady: our belief in the strength, resilience and value of pharmacy professionals. We will walk this path together and remain committed to advocating for and uplifting all pharmacists, students, interns and technicians who make healthcare possible every day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Regards,

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Led by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, 350 pharmacists and student pharmacists, clad in their white coats on the steps of the Main Capitol Rotunda, today called for continued progress on desperately needed pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms in Pennsylvania. PBMs are pocketing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars while underpaying community pharmacies, forcing many to close. Since January 2024, nearly 200 community pharmacies have suffered this fate, creating pharmacy deserts in some parts of Pennsylvania. Signed into law last year, Act 77 was an important first step in PBM reform, but more must be done to protect community pharmacists and their patients.

               “While Act 77 takes some important steps forward for pharmacists, their teams and the patients they serve, we have to do more,” said PPA CEO Victoria Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE. “PBMs continue to steer patients to pharmacies they own, undercutting other community pharmacies often preferred by or more convenient for patients. Additional steps need to be taken to ensure pharmacists are fairly compensated for vital services they provide to all patients, and that PBMs don’t force even more of them to close.”

Among the 323.5 million individuals in the contiguous United States, 57.1 million (17.7%) live in pharmacy deserts, and 28.9 million (8.92%) live in areas that rely on one of 5,610 keystone pharmacies. A “keystone pharmacy” is located in a census tract with such a highly vulnerable population that closure of that pharmacy would directly create a pharmacy desert.

Pennsylvania has over 327,000 constituents living in a pharmacy desert and 213 keystone pharmacies.

Pharmacy deserts are U.S. census tracts that meet two indicators:

1. Low income: Tract has either (1) 20% or more of its population living below the Federal Poverty Level or (2) a median household income that was less than 80% of the median income of the nearest metropolitan area.
2. Low access: Tract has at least 33% of its population living 1 mile or more from the pharmacy for urban tracts, more than 5 miles for suburban tracts, more than 10 miles for rural tracts, and more than 0.5 miles for tracts with fewer than 100 individuals owning a car.

In the absence of meaningful PBM reforms by our legislators and administration, the commonwealth will continue to see pharmacies close, creating deserts where significant populations will struggle to access medicines, immunizations and, in some cases, the critical care they need.

“We’re fighting for the countless families our pharmacists serve in every city, town and suburb,” said PPA President John DeJames, RPh. “This is also about protecting the future for pharmacists in Pennsylvania. If PBMs continue to force closures, we jeopardize losing our talented future pharmacists to other states that have cracked down on PBM practices.”

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• Rep. Jessica Benham & Rep. Valerie Gaydos, Legislators of the Year
• John DeJames, NCPA Pharmacy Leadership Award
• Kimmy Nguyen, Preceptor of the Year
• Ashley Rauchet, Pharmacists Mutual Distinguished Young Professional
• Nicole Hasson, Excellence in Innovation Award
• Margie Lydon, Advocacy Champion
• Ashli Yoder, Pauline Montgomery Leadership Award
• Chris Antypas, Immediate Past President Gavel
• Gale Garmong, Pharmacist of the Year
• Rick Seipp, Mortar & Pestle Award
• Francis Straub, III, Bowl of Hygeia

Congratulations to all the winners! Watch video recap.

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) is pleased to report that the accreditation of its Continuing Pharmacy Education Program is continued through January 31, 2031, a standard six-year term. This follows the review by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Continuing Pharmacy Education Commission and for the ACPE Board of Directors of the Continuing Pharmacy Education Program of the PPA for purposes of continued accreditation at their meetings during the Fall 2024 accreditation cycle. This review was based upon due consideration of the provider’s self-assessment report, the reviews of the report, and other communications received from the provider including a conference call held with the assigned ACPE review team.

"We are pleased that ACPE has recognized the hard work that both PPA staff and its committee volunteers have, and continue to do, in developing and executing quality continuing education programs for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Through both in-person and online learning opportunities, PPA will continue to offer contemporary and practice-relevant CE as a member benefit," says PPA CEO Victoria Elliott

"In fact, I look forward to seeing our members at the annual conference starting Friday, Feb 14th for learning with more than 25 continuing education sessions, networking and fun!" said Elliott.

The PPA Nominations Committee is pleased to announce the following PPA members who have been elected by the membership to serve on the 2025 PPA Board of Directors for a three-year term. They will be formally installed into office during the PPA 2025 Annual Conference scheduled for February 14-16, 2025 at the Hilton Harrisburg.

Thank you to all members who voted and congratulations to the board-elect members.

More than 200 professional and student pharmacists from across Pennsylvania joined with state legislators today at PA Pharmacy Legislative Day to call on the General Assembly to pass bipartisan legislation that will bring desperately needed reforms to how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operate in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1000 and House Bill 1993 will stop this predatory practice once and for all.

Both pieces of legislation have broad bipartisan support. Gov. Josh Shapiro recently called for #PBMReformNow in his state budget address. PBMs are supposed to negotiate good prices with drug companies for prescription drugs through Medicaid — and they do. Unfortunately, the savings aren’t passed on to the health insurers they represent or the pharmacies dispensing the prescriptions.  Instead, those Medicaid dollars are going right into the pockets of PBMs.

 For example, despite filling more prescriptions in 2023 than any other time in its 40-plus years in business, Mainline Pharmacy announced in January it would close nine locations. The pharmacy said it lost $350,000 over six weeks due to being paid less from PBMs than what it cost to purchase the medications. For a popular diabetic injectable, Mainline’s cost to buy the drug is $2,858, but the reimbursement they received from the PBM led to a loss of $422. 

"The timing is perfect to take steps to create a transparent and accountable PBM system that will lower prescription drug costs and protect access to pharmacies for Pennsylvania taxpayers,” said Chris Antypas, a pharmacy owner and president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. “With strong bipartisan support in the legislature, everyone agrees it’s time to turn off the taxpayer money spigot for PBMs in Pennsylvania.”

 Pennsylvania’s annual Medicaid spend on the pharmacy benefit has drastically increased, from $1.41 billion in 2013 to $3.7 billion, according to the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA). Not only is that increasing the cost of prescriptions, but it’s also leading to the increased closure of community pharmacies. Since January, over 70 chain and independent pharmacies have closed.

 To achieve #PBMReformNow, Senate Bill 1000 (sponsored by Sens. Judy Ward, R-Blair and Christine Tartaglione, D-Philadelphia) and House Bill 1993 (sponsored by Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny and Valerie Gaydos, R-Allegheny) would:

• Ensure pharmacies are reimbursed for the cost to buy and dispense drugs;
• Stop the process of “spread pricing,” where PBMs charge payers, such as a health plan, a higher price for medications than what they pay to pharmacies, keeping the difference or “spread” as profit;
• End the practice of “patient steering,” which occurs when PBMs force patients to use a PBM-owned pharmacy or risk paying higher out-of-pocket costs;
• Grant the Department of Insurance power to audit PBM contracts with pharmacies.
• Develop a process of receiving, hearing and resolving complaints from pharmacies about PBMs.
• Set fixed amounts for PBM claim processing and administrative fees.

“We thank Gov. Shapiro, Sens. Ward and Tartaglione, and Reps. Benham and Gaydos for their leadership, and so many members of the legislature for their incredible bipartisan support,” said Victoria E. Elliott, R.Ph., MBA, CAE, chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. “We need to stop mass closures of pharmacies that have become an integral part of local communities across the commonwealth. Passing #PBMReformNow will preserve community pharmacies as viable local businesses and restore patients’ choice of their preferred pharmacy provider.”

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Save Community Pharmacies is a coalition of the: Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA); PA Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS); Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists (PARD); and Value Drug Company. Visit www.SaveCommunityPharmacies.org for more information.

HARRISBURG - On February 1, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) hosted a Workplace Summit at the Hilton Harrisburg with pharmacy employers and key stakeholders from across the Commonwealth. The Summit provided the opportunity for a collaborative discussion with employers and PPA leadership and staff to identify and create viable and relevant ways the association can work together with these entities to support the rapidly evolving needs of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students.

Several consistent themes resulted from the conversation: pharmacy technician manpower, pharmacy reimbursements and the public image of pharmacy as a profession.

• Pharmacy Technicians as critical support staff. Hiring and retaining skilled pharmacy technicians is becoming increasingly difficult. There are just a few pharmacy technician programs in Pennsylvania beyond those being offered by pharmacy employers. Wages that pharmacies can offer do not compete with those earned in other industries such as fast food and convenience store industries. Opportunities for career advancement are limited among many employers, and those that do offer them find that their technicians leave once trained for other opportunities.
• Pharmacy Revenue. Negative pharmacy reimbursements have severely impacted the ability pharmacies to maintain sufficient staff or pay competitive wages. Pharmacies across the Commonwealth report incredible losses on their drug purchases, which when coupled with the lack of reimbursement for pharmacist care services, make it impossible to offer competitive wages.
  
  
• Public Image of Pharmacy. There is misalignment of the public narrative on the role of pharmacists and the advanced training and skill sets that result from an accredited pharmacy education program. Pharmacists are not seen by consumers as healthcare providers. The public perception is often that of an individual providing a service that can be delivered on-demand at the convenience of the consumer. This is despite the constraints of prescription volume, insurance limitations and little expectation for patient-healthcare professional interaction.

The Summit participants acknowledged a need for continued conversations around these mission critical challenges, and we look forward to a follow up session soon. There was unilateral agreement on the need for a unified voice across all pharmacy practice settings that reinforces pharmacists as medication experts in all health care settings, provides clarity on the critical role pharmacists play in the healthcare ecosystem which continues to evolve in this post-COVID area that has seen a significant reduction in the numbers and availability of primary healthcare providers.

The PPA would like to thank all the participants for their commitment of time and expertise to the Workplace Summit. We are confident that together we will be able to affect the change that begins to address our most pressing challenges of pharmacy technician workforce, pharmacy revenue and the image of our beloved profession.

PPA Workplace Summit Participants:

• Emily Kryger, Geriatric Clinical Pharmacist, PharmRecs LLC
• Nicholas Cicco, Senior Director of Pharmacy, Weis Markets
• Zachary Leslie, Healthcare Supervisor, Walgreens Co.
• Courtney Quattrone, Patient Care Pharmacist, ACME Sav-On Pharmacy
• Christopher Antypas, President & COO, Asti's South Hills Pharmacy
• David Cippel, President, Klingensmith's Drug Stores
• Rick Seipp, Vice President Pharmacy Strategy, Value Drug Company
• Erich Cushey, Owner, Curtis Pharmacy
• Patrick Lavella, Manager & Strategic Pharmacy Initiatives, Value Drug Company
• Erik Hernandez, Vice President of Pharmacy Services for Central PA, UPMC
• Brian Swift, Vice President & Chief of Pharmacy, Jefferson Health
• Marian Rhoads, Regional Director. St. Joseph and Lancaster Medical Center at Penn State Health
• Nishaminy Kasbekar, Vice President & Chief Pharmacy Officer, Penn Medicine
• Larry Jones, Executive Director, PSHP
• Molly Beimel, Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Complete Care, Inc
• Jennifer Urso, Vice President, Guardian Healthcare
• Michelle Murphy, Director of Pharmacy, AmeriHealth Caritas
• Eric Yarnell, Vice President, Pharmacy, Highmark Wholecare
• John DeJames, Manager of Clinical Services and Development, Value Drug Company
• Jonathan Ference, Dean, Wilkes University - Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
• Thomas Franko, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Wilkes University - Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
• Melissa McGivney, Associate Dean for Student Success and Professional Initiativesat University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy

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About The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, PPA promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health. For more information about PPA, visit www.papharmacists.com.

In Pennsylvania, “provider-status” means being eligible for payment of services on parity with other healthcare providers within the existing scope of practice authorized by the Pharmacy Practice Act with amendments per Act 80 of 2020, and pursuant to PA Code 49 Chapter 27, the State Board of Pharmacy regulations. We would like to thank PA Medical Assistance for acknowledging licensed pharmacists’ scope of practice and the impact they can have on patient outcomes by seeking a state plan amendment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to add licensed pharmacist services to the Other Licensed Practitioner (OLP) benefit.

PA Medicaid is recognizing pharmacists as a health care provider, creating access for pharmacists to provide and bill PA Medicaid fee-for-service for rendered services. A full list of services will be available from PA Medicaid on February 10, 2024. Unlike traditional pharmacy billing, use of these billing codes will require enrollment with PA Medicaid, and with each of the seven Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) operating in Pennsylvania. Each MCO will also establish mechanisms to credential and contract with pharmacists. Pharmacists can provide services in all outpatient settings where they have the ability to bill medical claims (i.e. community pharmacies, ambulatory clinics, medical offices, etc.).

Pharmacists and employers are advised to look for the official announcement in the Medicaid Bulletin published on February 1, 2024, and available on the PPA website HERE and on the PSHP website HERE. The Department of Human Services will offer a 2-hour virtual training session for pharmacists who wish to enroll as billing providers in the PA Medical Assistance/Medicaid Program on February 15 at 10:00 a.m. The training will include instructions for creating a login on the provider enrollment portal, completing the provider application with a list of information required when applying, and submitting claims for FFS/ACCESS for billing. Pharmacists can register for the training on line HERE.

“PA Medicaid’s recognition of pharmacists as care providers comes at a critical time when patients are increasingly losing access to needed care in communities, notably those in rural and urban underserved areas where pharmacists are capable, accessible, and passionate about ensuring the health of our communities,” said Christopher Antypas, PharmD, President of the PPA Board of Directors. “This opportunity would not have been possible without Pennsylvania-based pharmacy organizations speaking clearly, with a unified voice. Your state pharmacy associations are unified in comprehensively advocating for the value of pharmacy care to all stakeholders including the legislature, state agencies, payors and patients. By taking a holistic approach to promoting the value of a pharmacist’s scope of practice, we are well on our way toward equitable and sustainable access to pharmacist services.”

About The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health.

About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network
The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN), a CPESN® USA network, is a clinically integrated network of over 200 community pharmacies in Pennsylvania that provide enhanced patient care services and work to advance community-based pharmacy practice. In collaboration with payors and providers, PPCN Pharmacists provide high quality medication management services to patients ensuring appropriate medication use and improved health outcomes. PPCN is a service of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA), the state’s leading voice for advocating for the profession of pharmacy and advancing the quality of patient care.

About the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists (PSHP.org)
PSHP’s members include pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists practicing in
hospitals and health systems. PSHP’s mission is to advance patient care by promoting excellence in health-system pharmacy practice. This is achieved through “caring, collaboration, education and advocacy” with our patients, other health professionals and our pharmacy colleagues. Our members practice in acute care and specialty hospitals, as well as in health system operated ambulatory care programs. The latter includes health system owned/operated community pharmacies, home infusion, infusion centers, specialty pharmacies, and clinical pharmacy programs where the pharmacists in medical practices provide patient care under collaborative practice agreements. PSHP is the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

About the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists

In 1898, a group of 20 pharmacy owners in Philadelphia joined forces to create the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists, or PARD. Today, we represent over 250 independently owned pharmacies across Pennsylvania, concentrated in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. We have members as far north as Scranton, and as far west as Pittsburgh. PARD is an advocacy organization, dedicated to creating a landscape for Independent Pharmacy owners to help them survive and thrive. We have lobbyists and advisors on staff to help guide us through the political process in Philadelphia and Harrisburg to get favorable laws and regulations passed to help pharmacies and their patients. PARD also owns the Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, a buying group dedicated to serving pharmacies with vendors delivering the best price and the best service.

About the Pennsylvania Association of Retail Druggists (PACDS)

PACDS represents 13 member companies who operate approximately 1,100 pharmacies in the Commonwealth. Our membership includes AHOLD/Giant Food Stores, ACME/Albertsons, Genoa Healthcare, Giant Eagle, Market 32/Price Chopper Supermarkets, Rite Aid, Tops Markets, Walgreens, Wal-Mart-Sam Stores, Wegmans Food Markets and Weis Markets.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania pharmacists today lauded the work of state legislators to forge a compromise that will provide Pennsylvanians with greater access to COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Sponsored by state Rep. David Hickernell, House Bill 2679 now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.

Rep. Hickernell’s legislation will allow pharmacies to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccines to children as young as 5. The current law only allows for flu for those 9 and older.

“We want to thank Rep. Hickernell for his leadership on this critical issue to bring stakeholders and legislators together to create greater access to vaccinations for all Pennsylvanians, especially those in low-income communities,” said Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association CEO Victoria Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE. “This legislation would not have been possible without the tireless work of state Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair) and state Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and Frank Burns (D-Cambria). Thanks to all legislators who voted for this critical legislation to put Pennsylvania’s readiness for future public health crises at the forefront.”

Located within 5 miles of 90% of Americans, pharmacies provided more than two of every three COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to the federal government. A recent study published in the Journal of American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA) found there were 15% more pharmacies than physician offices in low-income communities. Pharmacies also were open significantly more hours (https://www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(22)00094-2/fulltext).

“Pharmacies remain ready and willing to continue to serve the needs of patients and their communities now and through any future pandemics,” Elliott said. “Passing this legislation helps residents benefit from convenient access for COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Our world has changed. We’re proud to work together with state lawmakers and physicians to make our commonwealth a healthier place for families.”

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About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing nearly all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, the association promotes the profession through advocacy, education and communication to enhance patient care and public health.

Pharmacists provided more than two out of every three COVID-19 vaccines under temporary powers

Americans overwhelmingly support making pharmacy vaccinations permanent

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Wearing their white coats, Pennsylvania pharmacists and student pharmacists from across the commonwealth held a rally on the Capitol steps today in support of legislation (HB1535/ SB 511 ) to give them the permanent ability to provide vaccines to Pennsylvanians. Located within 5 miles of 90% of Americans, pharmacies provided more than two of every three COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to the federal government. Pharmacists and students were joined at the rally by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores, independent pharmacy owners and state lawmakers.

If legislation is approved, Pennsylvania would join other states, including Virginia, Florida, Georgia and Illinois, in giving pharmacists the continued authority to provide vaccinations that otherwise will go away when the public health emergency ends. Federal statistics show that more than 46% of COVID-19 vaccine doses for children ages 5 to 11 were given at a pharmacy. Half of pharmacy COVID-19 vaccination sites are located in areas with high social vulnerability, and 70% of pharmacy testing sites are in areas with moderate to severe social vulnerability.

“The past two years have shown us that we must do everything we can to ensure Pennsylvanians have safe and convenient access to preventative health care services, like vaccinations, close to home,” said Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association CEO Victoria Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE. “Providing better access to vaccinations in rural and urban areas boosts our readiness for future public health crises. Passing this legislation will do just that and help residents benefit from convenient access for routine vaccinations."

Morning Consult recently released a survey, commissioned by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, which found that 68% of Americans support giving pharmacies the permanent ability to provide vaccinations.

“This legislation will improve the health of Pennsylvanians by providing them with essential access to vaccines,” said Weis Markets Vice President of Pharmacy Rick Seipp, who also serves as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores. “ People clearly took advantage of pharmacies being given authority to provide life-saving vaccines. We need to make sure this is ready to go, without delay, in the face of any new variants or viruses.”

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About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing nearly all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, the association promotes the profession through advocacy, education and communication to enhance patient care and public health.