WASHINGTON D.C. – The Trump administration unveiled new plans on Monday to ramp up federal help to all states. President Donald Trump said they are ready to send out enough tests to screen thousands of more patients, where at least 2 percent of all residents will be able to get testing, even though some health officials say it’s still not enough.

On top of that, the federal government had approved an update to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP Act, to allow pharmacies to administer coronavirus testing. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores President and CEO Steve Anderson, who represents traditional drug stores from across the country, said this could be the long-term answer in the fight against the disease.

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“Well, in a major game-changer,” Anderson said. "The Trump administration then specifically the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar issued guidance that allows licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID testing.”

It has been 40 days since California issued the mandatory stay-at-home order, and since then the state and federal governments have been trying to ramp up testing. Anderson said the supply chain seems strong, but tests still need to go out faster. 

“91 percent of the American people live within five miles of one of our member companies’ stores. So this will really expand the accessibility of COVID testing for the American people,” Anderson said.

Yet while Anderson said he is seeing vigorous work happen in California, he is disappointed the state hasn’t jumped at the opportunity to utilize pharmacies. 

The NACDS sent a letter to the California Retail Association stating: “We respectfully request that the state immediately authorize COVID-19 testing by pharmacists to drive the health of our communities. As the Governor and other experts have acknowledged, more testing for COVID-19 in California is desperately needed.”

 

 

 

“We're working very closely with the governor's in all 50 states to make sure that we can really allow pharmacists to do the testing and the other treatments that could possibly be done. And once they come on board, it can really help people in California,” Anderson said.

Overall, Anderson said California is rising as a leader during the pandemic, and called the state “central” in the battle against the coronavirus, especially in their labs for tests, vaccines, and treatments. 

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order to allow pharmacists to test for the deadly disease. He joins several other states, including Florida. We reached out to the California Retailers Association’s Vice President Steve McCarthy, who helped write the letter with NACDS to the state. McCarthy said the Department of Consumer Affairs said they are working on the issue and taking a deep dive at looking into the option of using pharmacies as testing sites. 

“I don’t see why the option wouldn’t be there for the long term,” McCarthy said. “We will be there for as long as the state needs us.”