The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition is a brand that advocates for federal policy solutions to ensure that patients can access essential care and services provided by pharmacists. They are committed to protecting vulnerable senior communities by supporting bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1770/S. 2477) that would provide payment for essential pharmacist services under Medicare Part B.

Pharmacists play a crucial role in our healthcare system as the first and most accessible healthcare providers. With nine in 10 Americans living within five miles of a pharmacy, patients visit their community pharmacist twice as frequently as they visit primary care physicians.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have demonstrated their importance in strengthening public health response. In fact, in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program alone, pharmacists have administered over 301 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. They have also provided over 50 million influenza and other vaccinations since the beginning of the pandemic.

Moreover, pharmacists play a vital role in keeping senior and rural communities healthy. More than half of pharmacists work in community-based settings, with 77% of community pharmacies serving population areas of 50,000 or fewer.

The impact of pharmacists' interventions during the pandemic cannot be overstated. They have averted over one million COVID-19 deaths, eight million hospitalizations, and saved approximately $450 billion in healthcare costs through 350 million clinical interventions provided to approximately 150 million people.

The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition recognizes the critical role of pharmacists and strives to ensure their continued ability to deliver essential care and services to America's seniors.