A tool to help regulators enhance strategies and create the necessary regulatory frameworks to combat the COVID-19 pandemic through pharmacist-led vaccination programs has been developed by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
The resource has been developed based on the experiences of regulators in countries where pharmacy-based vaccination and testing have been successfully introduced and regulated.
The chair of FIP’s Forum of Professional Regulators, Ronald Guse, that as highly accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists could greatly contribute to public health and bringing pandemics under control.
“A number of countries have recognised the value of harnessing the potential of the pharmacy profession through pharmacy-based vaccination programmes but many more could do so,” he said.
“However, successful strategies that involve pharmacists need to be grounded in public protection, quality of care and an in-depth understanding of needs at country level, with regard to vaccination and testing services.
“Resource requirements, such as workforce qualifications and training, infrastructure and funding, also need to be considered.”
FIP’s tool aims to help policymakers assess pandemic preparedness and the state of legislation within their country in order to facilitate mass vaccination through pharmacists.
It consists of a checklist that helps to identify priority actions related to vaccination, testing, prescribing and supply chain management.
“FIP’s pharmacy-based vaccination self-assessment tool places a priority on patient care and public protection during a pandemic through the passing of enabling legislation with regulatory oversight and quality assurance,” Mr Guse said.
“It may also be useful as a review tool in countries where pharmacists already play testing- or vaccine-related roles but could further expand or consolidate such roles.
“Drafting or enacting new or amended laws can be slow, and it may be simpler and faster to develop regulations under an enabling law instead.”
