A measure to allow pharmacists a greater role in rural patient’s health care maintenance has been introduced to the U.S. Senate.
The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act would enable Medicare patients to receive certain services from pharmacists. These services include immunizations, wellness checks and prevention screenings in addition to instruction on how to take medication properly as described by a physician’s prescription.
“A lot of people in rural Iowa have easier access to a pharmacist than a doctor,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said. “Where that pharmacist is licensed to provide a service, Medicare ought to pay the pharmacist for it. That’s what this bill does. It’s good for pharmacists because they get paid for providing service to rural seniors. It’s good for seniors because they keep access to their local pharmacists and don’t have to go to the doctor for straightforward management.”
Bill would facilitate pharmacist involvement in rural patient care
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