Science and Practice
Research Notes
Alaska pharmacists: First responders to the pandemic in the last frontier

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2020.09.008Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Pharmacists are among the nation’s most accessible and underused health professionals. Within their scope of practice, pharmacists can prescribe and administer vaccines, conduct point-of-care testing, and address drug shortages through therapeutic substitutions.

Objectives

To better use pharmacists as first responders to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we conducted a needs and capacity assessment to (1) determine individual commitment to provide COVID-19 testing and management services, (2) identify resources required to provide these services, and (3) help prioritize unmet community needs that could be addressed by pharmacists.

Methods

In March 2020, pharmacists and student pharmacists within the Alaska Pharmacist Association worked to tailor, administer, and evaluate results from a 10-question survey, including demographics (respondent name, ZIP Code, cell phone, and alternate e-mail). The survey was developed on the basis of published COVID-19 guidelines, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 screening and management guidelines, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy guidance, and joint policy recommendation from pharmacy organizations.

Results

Pharmacies are located in the areas of greatest COVID-19 need in Alaska. Pharmacists are willing and interested in providing support. Approximately 63% of the pharmacists who completed the survey indicated that they were interested in providing COVID-19 nasal testing, 60% were interested in conducting COVID-19 antibody testing, and 93% were interested in prescribing and administering immunizations for COVID-19, as available. When asked about resources needed to enable pharmacists to prescribe antiviral therapy, 37% of the pharmacists indicated they needed additional education or training, and 39% required access to technology to bill and document provided services.

Conclusion

The primary barrier to pharmacists augmenting the current COVID-19 response is an inability to cover the costs of providing these health services. Pharmacists in Alaska are ready to meet COVID-19–related clinical needs if public and private insurers and legislators can help address the barriers to service sustainability.

Section snippets

Background

There are many coronaviruses, common in people and animals. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the new coronavirus virus responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 symptoms range from mild respiratory illness to severe life-threatening disease and multiorgan failure. COVID-19 has caused a significant strain on the global economy and health care systems, foreign and domestic. Although the availability of antibody testing has continued to increase, many testing

Objectives

To better estimate the capacity to use pharmacists as first responders to COVID-19, we conducted a quick (5-minute survey) needs assessment to (1) determine individual commitment to provide COVID-19 services, (2) identify resources required to provide these services, and (3) help prioritize unmet community needs to use and empower pharmacists to more effectively support the COVID-19 response.

Methods

The Alaska Pharmacists Association (AKPhA) represents nearly 300 Alaska pharmacists and technicians. The goal of the AKPhA-supported survey was to assess pharmacists’ interest in supporting COVID-19 response and readiness; identify barriers to immediate and sustained COVID-19 support efforts; and support legislative efforts necessary to expand access to screening, prevention, and treatment efforts across the state.

In March 2020, pharmacists and student pharmacists within AKPhA developed,

Results

Just more than 10% of licensed pharmacists in the state responded to the COVID-19 survey. Of the 63% of pharmacists who reported interest in providing COVID-19 nasal testing, 70% were definitely interested in conducting COVID-19 nasal testing, and 30% were interested in conducting COVID-19 nasal testing if a mechanism for reimbursement for test administration and supplies was established to support sustainability of pharmacists providing the COVID-19 nasal test.

Approximately 60% of the

Discussion

AKPhA members are frontline health care providers caring for diverse patients in a variety of community, long-term care, hospital, and tribal settings, ready to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, pharmacists within the U. S. Public Health Service (USPHS) have responded alongside local health care providers to meet the needs of the community during a public health emergency. Pharmacists comprise approximately 1250 of the more than 6700 total USPHS members.8 Pharmacists, within

Conclusion

The primary barrier to pharmacists augmenting the current COVID-19 pandemic response is the lack of reimbursement for services provided at the time of this article’s writing, which is necessary to meet the needs of the community and expand services. Alaska pharmacists are ready to meet this clinical need if public and private insurers and legislators can help address the barriers to service sustainability.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Molly Gray, executive director, Alaska Pharmacist Association, for survey deployment to membership and continued support.

Amy K. Paul, PharmD, BCACP, Treasurer and Board of Director Member, Alaska Pharmacist Association, Anchorage, AK; and Assistant Clinical Professor, College of Pharmacy, University of Alaska/Idaho State University, Anchorage, AK

References (11)

  • Alaska highlights

  • Adults usual source of care

  • Key facts about the uninsured population

  • R. Utsa et al.

    Moving health care into the future: proposal for pharmacist-led refill authorizations

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) update

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

Amy K. Paul, PharmD, BCACP, Treasurer and Board of Director Member, Alaska Pharmacist Association, Anchorage, AK; and Assistant Clinical Professor, College of Pharmacy, University of Alaska/Idaho State University, Anchorage, AK

Talethia Bogart, Student Pharmacist, College of Pharmacy, University of Alaska/Idaho State University, Anchorage, AK

Ashley R. Schaber, PharmD, BCPS, MBA, President, Alaska Pharmacist Association, Anchorage, AK; and Commander, U.S. Public Health Service, Anchorage, AK

Della C. Cutchins, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, Commander, U.S. Public Health Service, Anchorage, AK; Past President, Alaska Pharmacist Association, Anchorage, AK

Renee F. Robinson, PharmD, MPH, MSPharm, Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy, University of Alaska/Idaho State University, Anchorage, AK

ORCID Amy K. Paul: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1445-9528

Ashley R. Schaber: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8264-5229

Della C. Cutchins: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8673-8468

Renee F. Robinson: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1807-0827

Disclosure: The authors declare no relevant conflicts of interest or financial relationships.

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