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WASHINGTON – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted a letter to the Biden Administration on Thursday detailing five recommendations to support a seamless transition of COVID-19 vaccinations from government-purchased product to commercially available supply — while maintaining patients’ critical access to care.
The letter lays out five key areas of priority. Specifically, NACDS urges that the federal government:
- Engage all impacted stakeholders in a transparent planning process, with a clear transition timeline — including a regular cadence of meetings with stakeholders and the federal government and a transition of COVID-19 vaccines to the commercial market no earlier than the first quarter of 2023 and at a time that does not overlap with the flu vaccination and potential COVID-19 booster season.
- Work closely with manufacturers and other stakeholders to support robust product availability and a healthy domestic supply chain to meet expected and evolving demand in the U.S. — including clarifying stability, storage, cold chain and shipping, and product return processes ahead of the transition; estimating domestic supply and demand through and beyond the transition; promoting the immediate availability of COVID-19 vaccination products in prefilled syringes and packaging options that help mitigate wastage; and ensuring different NDCs between commercial and government COVID-19 vaccine product.
- Promote cost-based reimbursement and beneficiary coverage, support long-term sustainability of and access to COVID-19 vaccinations, and clarify future data reporting requirements — so that patients maintain uninterrupted access.
Plan for a comprehensive, clear public information campaign to educate the American public about the transition of COVID-19 vaccines to the commercial market — so that consumers are informed about any changes or challenges they may face in accessing these vaccines in the future. - Look ahead and proactively plan for a seamless transition of COVID-19 testing and therapeutics to the commercial market— so that Americans maintain equitable access and care throughout.
During the COVID pandemic, NACDS has worked closely with federal and state governments on the COVID-19 response and pharmacies’ critical role in it. Based on input from diverse NACDS members on the front lines of healthcare delivery, NACDS conveyed critical insights to align policies for an effective response on behalf of the American people.
“Every step of the way, the nation’s pharmacies have elevated their commitment to serving the American people to meet dynamic public health needs during this challenging time,” NACDS said in the letter.
“We appreciate the opportunity to provide key recommendations to support [the federal government’s] planning for the transition of COVID-19 vaccinations from government-purchased product to commercially available supply. NACDS shares the federal government’s goal to make this transition as seamless as possible.”
Together, the nation’s pharmacies — in collaboration with federal, state, and local governments — have supported widespread and robust access points for the public to obtain important pandemic vaccinations, testing, and therapeutics. To date, pharmacies have delivered more than 254 million vaccination doses, including millions for the uninsured and underinsured.
