ISMA signed a letter from the American Medical Association (AMA) Federation to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) in opposition to S. 2426, the “Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS) Act.”

The proposed ECAPS Act would inappropriately allow pharmacists to perform services that normally are authorized and covered only if they are furnished by a physician. The bill would also authorize pharmacists to test and treat patients for certain illnesses and would expand Medicare payment for pharmacists in limited but significant ways. 

While pharmacists are well-trained in activities like dispensing pharmaceuticals, advising patients on the use of medications, and understanding drug-to-drug interactions, the letter points out that pharmacists’ training does not include performing a physical examination, diagnosing patients, or formulating a treatment plan. Furthermore, their training is substantially less extensive than that of physicians, who undergo four years of medical school, three to seven years of residency training, and 12,000-16,000 hours of clinical training. In contrast, pharmacists are required to complete only four years of education, no residency, and 1,740 hours of clinical training. In a recent AMA Scope of Practice study, 95% of U.S. voters said it is important to them for a physician to be involved in diagnosis and treatment decisions.

The letter warns that misdiagnoses, siloed and uncoordinated care, and patients not receiving the right care at the right time all lead to worse patient outcomes and add costs to the U.S. health care system.