HHS has amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act to allow pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns to administer certain COVID-19 drugs, including monoclonal antibodies.
The amendment, issued Sept. 9, allows pharmacists to administer drugs given orally, subcutaneously or intramuscularly, including current and future drugs that are authorized to prevent or treat COVID-19.
"We applaud the PREP Act declaration amendment and look forward to continuing to work with HHS and the White House to further leverage the knowledge and skills of our pharmacy workforce to bring an end to this pandemic," Tom Kraus, vice president of government relations for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, said in a news release.
The amendment could increase access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody drugs, according to the American Hospital Association. Monoclonal antibody drugs have become a key part of the U.S. plan to combat the delta surge.