ASCP Opposes Pharmacy SOP Bill

• ASCP is opposing federal legislation that would authorize pharmacists to practice medicine 

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) joined a host of other medical societies in raising concern in Congress about the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act. This legislation would allow pharmacists to perform Evaluation and Management services for influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat).  

In a letter developed by the American Medical Association (AMA), ASCP joined almost 80 other medical societies in raising concerns with Congressional leaders that evaluation and management services “constitute the practice of medicine and fall well beyond the scope of training of a pharmacist.”  Another concern is that the legislation would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to authorize pharmacists to conduct testing and treatment for any services that “address[es] a public health need related to [a] public health emergency declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act.” The legislation, the letter warned, puts patient safety at risk.