June 25, 2026

PENNSYLVANIA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION AND AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CONSULTANT PHARMACISTS ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC AFFILIATION TO ELEVATE PHARMACY CARE IN PENNSYLVANIA

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) are proud to announce a new strategic affiliation agreement. This partnership unites the state’s leading pharmacy advocate with the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older adults.

The primary goal of this affiliation is to foster a unified voice for pharmacists across the Commonwealth. By working in concert, both organizations aim to enhance the professional lives of pharmacists, strengthen the operational success of pharmacies, and, most importantly, improve the quality of care for patients throughout Pennsylvania.

Key highlights of the agreement include:

• Joint Membership Opportunities: The organizations will launch a joint membership initiative, allowing Pennsylvania pharmacists to easily access the localized advocacy and networking of PPA alongside the specialized clinical resources and senior-care expertise of ASCP.
• Collaborative Advocacy: PPA and ASCP will coordinate legislative and regulatory efforts in Harrisburg to ensure that the evolving role of the pharmacist is recognized and supported within the Pennsylvania healthcare system.
• Resource Sharing: Members will benefit from a broader range of educational programs, clinical tools, and professional development opportunities tailored to the unique landscape of Pennsylvania pharmacy practice.

"This affiliation represents a significant step forward for pharmacy in our state," said Victoria Elliott, CEO of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. "By aligning with ASCP, we are strengthening our ability to serve our members who are on the front lines of care, particularly those serving our aging population and those in long-term care settings."

"ASCP is thrilled to partner with PPA to better serve pharmacists in Pennsylvania," said Chad Worz, CEO of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. "Together, we can more effectively advocate for the clinical expertise of pharmacists and ensure that patients in the Commonwealth receive the best possible medication-related outcomes."

This partnership reinforces both organizations’ commitment to the best interests of the pharmacy profession and the health of the communities they serve.

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About The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education and communication to enhance patient care and public health. For more information, visit www.papharmacists.com.

About the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists ASCP is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older adults. ASCP’s members manage drug therapy and improve the quality of life of older adults and other populations. For more information, visit www.ascp.com

Media Contacts:

Diane Powell

Communications Manager, PPA

dpowell@papharmacists.com

717.234.6151

Melissa Blacketer 

Senior Director of Communications, ASCP

mblacketer@ascp.com

703.739.1311

Download the full press release here. 

Media Contact:

Melissa Blacketer

mblacketer@ascp.com

703.739.1311

ASCP Commends Congressional Action to Expand Medicare Access to Pharmacist Services

(Alexandria, VA – May 21, 2026) The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) commends the House Ways & Means Committee, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid policy, for voting to send the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164) to the House floor for a full vote. The legislation was previously called the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacists Services Act (ECAPS).

If enacted, H.R. 3164 would add pharmacists to the Social Security Act as providers while expanding access to infectious disease testing and treatment through pharmacists for individuals covered by Medicare. As a result, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to receive pharmacist-provided testing and treatment for respiratory illnesses when state-level laws authorize pharmacists to perform these services. 

"Public health in America is about to get stronger thanks to the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act. By expanding access to treat-and-treat services through pharmacists -- the most accessible healthcare providers, we are creating avenues to keep older adults and those living with disabilities healthy and thriving," said Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, ASCP CEO. "I applaud the Ways & Means Committee for their ongoing dedication to increasing access to care for older Americans and those living with disabilities through this legislation."  

“On behalf of older Americans, we thank the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee for voting to send the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164) to the House floor for a full vote,” said Sue Peschin, President & CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research. “Seniors in Medicare are deprived of access to pharmacist-provided services that state laws already allow, because pharmacists are overlooked as eligible healthcare providers in the Social Security Act. This must be fixed. We urge all members of Congress who care about older adults in their districts to vote in favor of this bill.”

The CDC recently reported that just 61% of nursing home residents received a flu vaccine during the 2024-25 season. ASCP believes this legislation will help to increase the vaccination rate in coming years by reducing barriers to reimbursement.

This bill could potentially save money for the Medicare program while still expanding access to testing, treatment, and prevention because pharmacists would be reimbursed at only 80% of the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). This will save Medicare dollars by shifting services to a lower cost provider. Most states have already created these opportunities for people covered by commercial insurance and Medicaid. Unfortunately, Medicare has lagged, meaning many vulnerable older adults have less access to this critical care than other Americans. 

H.R. 3164/S. 2426 would improve patient access and cost-effectiveness while strengthening the healthcare system. Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers in America.

"Enactment of this legislation is a good, first step toward greater access to pharmacists and pharmacy services," added Worz. "ASCP will continue working with Congress, CMS and state governments to ensure pharmacists can practice at the top of their license and training, especially in the care of older adults and the medically complex."

In addition to this bill, ASCP is working to enact the PrEP Access Act (H.R. 7189) which empowers pharmacists to provide HIV prevention services under Medicare Part B. ASCP encourages Congress to act on this measure and other healthcare priorities, including telehealth, mental health parity and biomedical research legislation.

At the annual ASCP Fly-In earlier this year, ASCP members descended on Capitol Hill to advocate for this legislation. As a result of the efforts of ASCP and many other organizations, including rural and senior advocacy groups, provider and professional groups, patient advocacy organizations, and health systems, the legislation has broad, bipartisan momentum. Over a quarter of the 119th Congress already co-sponsor H.R. 3164 / S. 2426. 

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The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older adults. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

Download the full press release here.

View full testimony here. 

In newly released billing guidance tied to Deprescribing Services Codes, CMS confirmed that pharmacists can contribute billable time through “incident-to” services provided under physician or non-physician practitioner collaborations. The announcement arrives as Secretary Kennedy undertakes efforts aimed at reducing unnecessary prescribing.

In the FAQ Guidance, CMS specifically addressed whether pharmacist's time can count toward deprescribing services:

Yes, pharmacists can provide services incident to the professional services of a physician or non-physician practitioner just as other clinical staff may do (see the CY 2021 PFS final rule at 85 FR 84592 through 94593). These “incident to” services can count as billable time for reporting various care management services to the PFS under the appropriate level of supervision and other applicable “incident to” rules, and consistent with the care management service definitions. Pharmacists must be working within their scope of practice and in accordance with applicable state law, and the services cannot also be covered under Medicare Part D or paid under other Part B services. CMS encourages team-based care models that leverage the expertise of clinical pharmacists in medication management and deprescribing.”

Pharmacists may be reimbursed for their clinical services under “incident to” billing for CPT codes: 99439, 99487, 99489, 99490, 99426 or 99427. 

For pharmacists already embedded in collaborative care models, this development represents more than billing clarification. For pharmacists interested in collaborative care models this development is a green light from CMS to develop these models. It signals a growing recognition of the pharmacist’s expanding clinical role in optimizing medication therapy and reducing inappropriate prescribing.

Media Contact:

Melissa Blacketer

mblacketer@ascp.com

703.739.1311

ASCP announces the first pharmacies to receive Age Friendly recognition: Consonus Pharmacy and Siler City Pharmacy 

Age-Friendly Pharmacy (AFP) is an organizational recognition where the pharmacy itself demonstrates a commitment to age-friendly care. Any pharmacy can be Age-Friendly. This acknowledgement is designed to amplify your pharmacy with recognition and support from ASCP. The services, acknowledgements, and benefits provided to AFP members ensure your position as a leader in serving aging populations.

(Alexandria, VA – May 11, 2026) The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, has announced Consonus Pharmacy and Siler City Pharmacy as the first two recipients of Age-Friendly Pharmacy (AFP) Recognition. Funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation provides support to educate and foster pharmacy champions in the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility). ASCP has partnered with the UMSOP’s Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging (Lamy Center) to champion age-friendly care and optimal medication management

These two organizations have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to providing care through the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility) and  across multiple areas of age-friendly care. They are recognized for prioritizing the best possible care for a rapidly aging and medically complex population in all settings, including the home and community.

 “ASCP is very proud to recognize Consonus and Siler City as our inaugural recipients of Age-Friendly Pharmacy Recognition. Both organizations have demonstrated not only their ability to provide age-friendly care to the populations that we serve, but also their dedication to having that be at the core of their businesses,” ASCP CEO Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, said. “With many more pharmacies in the process of completing their attestations, we are so excited to be highlighting the organizations that are leading the way in exemplary age-friendly care.”

Working with the Lamy Center team, last year the Society created an “Age-Friendly Pharmacist Badge,” which recognizes individual pharmacists who have completed training on the 4Ms Framework and are committed to improving the health and well-being of older adults.

 About the Pharmacies

·      Portland, Oregon-based Consonus Pharmacy specializes in serving long-term care communities, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and other post-acute settings. The company provides comprehensive pharmacy, clinical, and compliance services designed to support resident safety, ensure medication accuracy, and improve operational efficiency.

By combining clinical expertise with responsive, real-human service, Consonus helps partners deliver better outcomes while simplifying the day-to-day demands of care.

“We are thrilled to be the first Long-Term Care Pharmacy to be recognized as ‘Age-Friendly.’ For the pharmacist team at Consonus, the Age-Friendly Pharmacist Badge really reinforces what we’ve always believed, that care should be centered around what matters most to each resident,” said Consonus President, Jessica Androff, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP. “From consultant pharmacists to operational pharmacists, our team has embraced the Age-Friendly badge as a way to show that the 4Ms impact every step in the process to provide safe and effective medications and medication management.”

·      Siler City Pharmacy is a locally-owned community pharmacy in North Carolina. It provides personalized care, medication management, diabetes care and education, expertise and advice, and other services to support the health of long-term care facility residents and others in the community.

“Siler City Pharmacy is honored to be recognized as an Age-Friendly Pharmacy. Our mission has always been to provide personalized, compassionate care, and this recognition reinforces our commitment to meeting the unique needs of chronologically enhancing adults in our community. We are proud to play a role in helping patients live healthier, more independent lives.”

The AFP is one component of ASCP’s Age-Friendly Initiative, which incorporates the expertise of long-term care pharmacies and pharmacists who specialize in the care of older adults into the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement.

AFP members receive exclusive services, recognitions, and offerings designed to enhance their leadership in the aging, senior care, and post-acute and long-term care space. The AFP membership has three core areas: Age-Friendly Pharmacy Recognition, Long-Term Care at Home Recognition, and Age-Friendly Clinically Integrated Network.

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The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

ASCP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1982. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to carry out the charitable – including scientific, literary, and educational – purposes of ASCP.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States

Consonus Pharmacy: Consonus is a senior living partner delivering pharmacy, rehab, and consulting services to 700+ facilities nationwide with a model built by operators, for operators

Siler City Pharmacy: At Siler City Pharmacy, we aim to be your partners in health. Located in the heart of Siler City, NC. Our pharmacy is built on relationships, trust, and a genuine commitment to caring for our residents and neighbors. We believe that every person deserves personalized pharmacy care at a fair price, delivered with kindness and expertise.

Download the full press release here. 

A primary provider of vaccine-related services and information, we share the goal of making all Americans healthier. A safe, effective, and reliable vaccination program is critical to that goal and depends on maintaining a credible, independent, and scientifically grounded advisory committee framework that balances both risks and benefits based on evidence-based data.

The revised charter places a disproportionate emphasis on vaccine risks and harms without adequately considering the scientifically proven benefits and disease prevention outcomes of safe and effective vaccination. In addition, the revised charter shifts ACIP membership away from requiring specific expertise in immunization science, infectious diseases, vaccinology, and vaccine service implementation, which risks weakening the scientific rigor that has historically defined ACIP deliberations.

Because of these concerns, we share the following considerations:

·      Preserve transparent, merit-based selection processes that prioritize scientific excellence, experience with vaccination processes, and independence from ideological and political influence when selecting voting members and liaison organizations.

·      Engage directly with frontline vaccination providers and vaccine scientists, including pharmacists and pharmacy personnel, when considering structural changes to vaccine policy processes and advisory committee appointments.

·      Include pharmacists with expertise in vaccine research and practice when appointing ACIP voting members and liaison non-voting members. 

As the most accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists are essential to patient and public health, especially in in rural and underserved communities and in long-term care facilities. They administer vaccines, counsel patients, and educate the public. Pharmacists and pharmacy organizations, along with other vaccination providers, have long relied on ACIP’s recommendations as the gold standard for immunization guidance. When long-standing processes shift or appear unpredictable, even well-intentioned changes can create confusion and undermine confidence in how recommendations are developed, communicated, and implemented.

Changes to vaccine policies have had immediate impacts — notably reduced uptake due to diminished public understanding and trust, challenges in translating recommendations to clinical practice, disruption in payer coverage tied to ACIP recommendations, and barriers to access for vulnerable populations. Now, the recent revisions to the ACIP charter could further limit patient access to vaccines.

The pharmacy profession remains united in our steadfast commitment to providing our patients with safe, effective, and evidence-based vaccines. We urge you to reconsider the changes to the charter and take the steps we outlined above to ensure public trust in vaccine recommendations. 

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists

American Pharmacists Association

ASCP – Age Friendly Pharmacists and Pharmacies

Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

National Pharmaceutical Association

Pediatric Pharmacy Association

Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists

CONTACT: Janine Kritschgau, 202-365-2176; Mia Fisher, 202-617-6448

KAINE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION OF FUTURE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Primary Care Team Education Centers Act, legislation to support the education and clinical training of the next generation of primary care professionals.

“Access to quality and affordable primary care is critical to the long-term health and well-being of our communities,” said Kaine. “But workforce shortages create barriers in accessing that care and exacerbate existing disparities in vulnerable communities. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to help address the underlying causes of health workforce shortages by investing in training future primary care providers.”  

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates there will be a shortage of 70,610 primary care physicians by 2038. The Teaching Health Center program is a proven model that can help address primary care workforce shortages by supporting training in primary care at federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and other community-based patient care centers. This bill builds on the successes of the Teaching Health Center program to train the next generation of primary care providers in other health care workforce areas not addressed by the existing model.   

ThePrimary Care Team Education Centers Act would address primary care provider shortages by:

• Establishing and expanding primary care team education centers to train new health professionals;
• Developing or enhancing partnerships with institutions of higher education and health care organizations to address clinical faculty, clinical site, and clinical preceptor shortages for health care professionals;
• Supporting health professional student training in primary care;
• Integrating and expanding the role of health professionals involved in primary care;
• Promoting career advancement for health professionals employed by primary care team education centers to improve retention; and
• Prioritizing grants that address training in health professional shortages and those that support preceptor advancement.

“Healthcare professionals are the backbone of rural communities, not just for critical healthcare, but for the rural economy. Rural communities cannot thrive without access to healthcare. An increase in training programs is essential for addressing workforce shortages and improving the healthcare infrastructure,”said Beth O’Connor, Executive Director, Virginia Rural Health Association.

“The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), led by President Sheldon D. Fields, commend Senator Kaine for introducing the Primary Care Team Education Centers Act. We endorse any comprehensive and innovative efforts to address the nursing shortage, and expand access to high-quality training opportunities. Advancing these investments is essential to strengthening the workforce while promoting health equity and improving access to care for underserved communities,”National Black Nurses Association Health Policy Chair Dr. Vivienne Pierce McDaniel.

“As PA programs across the country continue to face challenges in obtaining clinical rotations for students, thePrimary Care Team Education Centers Act represents an innovative solution to ensuring high-quality, interprofessional training for our future health workforce. PAEA applauds Senator Kaine’s leadership on this issue and is proud to endorse the legislation,”said Sara Fletcher, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, PA Education Association.

“More and more, healthcare has become a team sport with players from different disciplines working together to improve the health of patients. As we move toward this interdisciplinary model, we need a robust healthcare workforce that’s exposed, early on, to the modern team-based approach,”said Chad Worz, PharmD, chief executive of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP.) “ASCP applauds Senator Kaine for introducing this greatly needed legislation. We look forward to partnering with him and the co-sponsors to enact this important healthcare workforce pipeline legislation."

“ThePrimary Care Team Education Centers Act expands team-based primary care training sites and supports preceptors so more students can train in communities with the greatest workforce needs. By strengthening clinical teaching capacity, it also helps recruit and retain the primary care workforce those communities rely on,”said Carey Goryl, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment.

“The National League for Nursing applauds Senator Kaine for his leadership in proposing this strategy to strengthen the primary care workforce,”said National League for Nursing President and CEO Dr. Beverly Malone. “The Primary Care Team Education Center Act offers a creative approach to addressing our nation’s shortages of nurses and nursing faculty, supporting collaboration between our nursing education programs and centers that can serve as critically needed clinical training sites focused on improving community-based care.”

This bill is supported by National Black Nurses Association, Virginia Rural Health Association, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, American Dental Association, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Association of School Nurses, PA Education Association, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, National League for Nursing, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, National Rural Health Association, Advocates for Community Health, Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, International Medical Graduates Academy, Medicos Unidos Venezuela, Virginia Health Care Association, Virginia Center for Assisted Living, American Health Care Association, National Center for Assisted Living, Ballad Health, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, and Virginia Community Healthcare Association.

Full text of the bill is available here.

CMS has revised Chapters 5 and 7 of the State Operations Manual guidance for nursing home surveys. The update, effective April 30, 2026, broadens and clarifies how surveyors can conduct investigations, document findings and apply enforcement procedures. It also makes clear that photographs can be part of the survey record when they are used to support observations and evidence related to compliance concerns.

For facilities, the key takeaway is that surveyors taking pictures is acceptable when those photos are tied to on-site observations. Staff should expect surveyors to document issues such as infection control concerns, unsafe conditions, or improper medication storage. Those images may become part of the official survey file. Although, these updates give surveyors the ability to use photography for documentation, it is important to note that all photos must be in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and policies. Surveyors must handle photographs of individuals with the same confidentiality as a medical record. Likewise, surveyors must attempt to get resident's written permission prior to photographing them.

For pharmacists, the practical reminder is "think about what an appropriate photo would show." A good example would be properly stored C2 controlled medications, with secure access, correct organization, and clear compliance with storage (double-locking) requirements. 

The update can be found here.

To apply, applicants must submit a mandatory letter of intent by April 10th and a complete full application is due by May 15th.

The model will be split into two cohorts, one in October 2026 totaling up to 15 awardees. Another cohort will launch in October 2027. Awardees from the 2026 cohort can apply for the 2027 cohort for a different intervention or chronic condition. Individuals who do not win awards in 2026 may use the same application in 2027. 

Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: senior living communities, private medical practices, health systems, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), academic organizations, integrative medicine centers, community-based organizations (CBOs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Indian Health Service/Tribal Services/Urban Indian Programs (ITUs), and local and state governments. Organizations spanning multiple states are also eligible. 

Applicants are not required to be clinical entities but “must demonstrate clinical oversight capabilities to ensure appropriate care delivery and beneficiary safety.” Applicants who do not directly provide clinical care are strongly encouraged to form partnerships with care entities or organizations that deliver clinical care.

Applicants must have a valid tax Tax Identification Number (TIN), National Provider Identifier (NPI), CMS Certification Number (CCN), and/or Employer Identification Number (EIN). CMS “strongly recommend[s] that your organization enroll in Original Medicare before you begin your project.” 

All proposals must incorporate nutrition or physical activity as part of the design. The goal of this model is to get quality data on the financial savings and patient benefit of comprehensively approaching a patient’s health by combining psychological, nutritional, and physical interventions with personalized strategies for prevention and early treatment of chronic conditions. The model is designed to identify strategies that support conventional medicine,  not in lieu of.

Applicants must identify the chronic condition that the applicant seeks to address with the intervention;three awards are reserved for interventions that address dementia

CMS will select recipients based on five key criteria: 

• Whole-person ‘functional or lifestyle medicine’ (FLM) intervention design including cost savings 
• Beneficiary recruitment (the responsibility of the grantee) and study design 
• Organizational and administrative capacity 
• Data Management capabilities 
• Budget

Media Contact:

Melissa Blacketer. mblacketer@ascp.com

ASCP Supports Quality Measure Reform Following OIG Antipsychotic Use Reports

[March 20, 2026—Alexandria, VA] — The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) today issued the following statement regarding the two reports released by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) on March 19, 2026, concerning the use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes: "Nursing Homes’ Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs Poses a Risk to Residents" (OEI-02-23-00200) and the companion report on inappropriate schizophrenia diagnoses to mask misuse (OEI-02-23-00201).

ASCP, again, commends the OIG for its careful investigation into concerns regarding medication risks to patients . The reports based on 40 special focus nursing homes from 2018-2021 provide valuable insights by highlighting alarming instances of potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use—particularly among residents with dementia—and underscores the challenges in medication management, resident safety, and regulatory compliance in certain facilities during challenging time prior to and during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In particular, the examination of schizophrenia diagnoses to mask misuse has compelled CMS to consider changes to the 14-year-old quality measure driving these practices. ASCP commends CMS for this consideration and has long supported reform to this quality measure that would take into account concordant documentation on the rationale, efficacy and safety of the medications by the care team. A more robust measure that differentiates appropriate and inappropriate use would benefit residents, caregivers, providers, facilities and surveyors.

The OIG findings emphasize the critical role of consultant pharmacists in skilled nursing facilities. Pharmacists perform monthly, admission and change in status drug regimen reviews, identify potential irregularities, recommend dose reductions or discontinuations when clinically appropriate, and collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to optimize therapy, reduce risks, and promote resident-centered care.

We encourage Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) to build on the OIG's recommendations by expanding targeted educational initiatives and resources for pharmacists, medical directors and care teams, and other stakeholders.

ASCP remains committed to advocating for policies and evidence-based practices that prioritize medication safety, the appropriate use of psychotropics, and the full integration of Age-Friendly pharmacists' expertise in long-term care settings. We stand ready to partner with CMS, OIG, QIOs, and other stakeholders to advance these shared goals for the benefit of older adults."

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About ASCP:

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

Read the full press release here. 

SFFSelection CriteriaRevisions for 2026:

Considerations for Consultant Pharmacists:

With CMS placing greater emphasis on resident falls as part of SFF selection and oversight, consultant pharmacists can assist facilities in reducing resident falls and preventing increased scrutiny by addressing fall risks, including risks associated medications. 

Pharmacists play an important role inidentifying and mitigating fall risks associated with high-risk medications, polypharmacy, and changes in resident condition. By ensuring that medication regimen review findings are clearly documented, communicated to the interdisciplinary team, and reflected in care planning. 

Strategies for Reducing Resident Falls:

Common medications associated with increased fall risk in older adults:

Common conditions associated with increased fall risk in older adults:

Helpful resources for pharmacists, pharmacies and facilities:

Media Contact:

Melissa Blacketer

mblacketer@ascp.com

703.739.1311

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Joins NOVA ScriptsCentral as New Partner for National Safety Net Health Equity Fellowship

(FALLS CHURCH, VA —February 12, 2025) NOVA ScriptsCentral (NSC) is proud to announce the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) as its newest collaborative partner for the Safety Net Health Equity Fellowship. This partnership marks a significant milestone as the fellowship enters its fourth year, continuing its mission to train the next generation of pharmacy leaders in health equity and safety net care.

Launched in 2023 in collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Safety Net Health Equity Fellowship was the first program of its kind in the United States. Over the past three years, the program has provided pharmacists with intensive, hands-on experience working with diverse uninsured patient populations, delivering culturally competent care, and advocating for equitable healthcare access.

As the fellowship prepares to welcome its fourth class, ASCP joins the initiative to expand the program’s reach, particularly within the realm of geriatric care and long-term medication management for underserved seniors.

“I am incredibly proud of the foundation we built through our partnership with APhA, whose support for our first three classes was instrumental in establishing this fellowship's success,” said Dr. Donney John, PharmD, Executive Director of NSC and Fellowship Director. “We are looking forward to building on this strong foundation with our new partnership with ASCP. This collaboration will allow us to provide targeted training for fellows on improving the health equity needs of the aging minority population. ASCP has a stellar track record of training future healthcare leaders to become fierce advocates for improving geriatric care.”

The fellow will continue to work with healthcare industry stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels, elevating the needs of uninsured populations served by health safety net clinics and charitable pharmacies. With ASCP’s involvement, the training will place an increased emphasis on the unique challenges faced by older adults in the safety net system.

Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, Chief Executive of ASCP, commented on the new partnership:

" Since its inception, ASCP has prioritized supporting pharmacists in their efforts to ensure the best possible care for older adults and the medically complex. We are pleased and honored to be part of this program to promote access to medication management in vulnerable and marginalized populations. The future of pharmacy, including strong geriatric pharmacy leadership, is built in programs like this. 

NOVA ScriptsCentral extends its deepest gratitude to the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) for their foundational support and vision in launching this program and successfully training three classes of health equity fellows.

For more information about the Safety Net Health Equity Fellowship and how to apply for the upcoming term, please visit our website.

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NOVA ScriptsCentral is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life-saving medications and essential health services to uninsured and underserved populations in Northern Virginia. Since its founding in 2006, NSC has served over 225,000 patients and provided more than 625,000 months of prescriptions a total value exceeding $251 million. Through strategic collaborative partnerships and innovative initiatives like the Safety Net Health Equity Fellowship, NSC works tirelessly to eliminate barriers to medication access and champion culturally competent healthcare for all.

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

Download the press release here.

Melissa Blacketer

mblacketer@ascp.com

703.739.1311

(Alexandria, VA  - February 4, 2026) Following passage of the funding packet by Congress, Chad Worz, Chief Executive of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, released this statement celebrating key provisions impacting long-term care pharmacists and pharmacies: 

“We are glad to see Congress come together in a bipartisan way to advance key healthcare policy provisions and maintain uninterrupted access to services for individuals who rely on government-sponsored healthcare coverage. 

In particular, ASCP welcomes the long-overdue pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform provisions. For too long PBM middlemen have extracted unreasonable profits off the backs of patients and pharmacies. Failure to ensure ‘fair and reasonable’ reimbursement and anti-monopolistic practice have allowed PBMs to reap immoral profits while pharmacies closed and patients lost access to care. As CMS undertakes the necessary rulemaking to align with this legislation, ASCP stands ready to support the agency with our expertise in senior care.

We applaud Congress—especially Representatives Carter and Harshbarger and Senators Crapo and Wyden—for addressing ongoing abusive PBM practices that negatively affect patients and pharmacists across the country.  Passage of today’s legislation is, however, only the first of many necessary steps to rein in PBMs and their abuses.

Beyond the PBM reform provisions, ASCP also applauds Congressional leaders for further extending telemedicine flexibilities that expand access to care, particularly in rural and underserved communities. 

Finally, ASCP appreciates the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for addressing concerns regarding the access and appropriate use of antipsychotic medications in skilled nursing facilities. In their respective reports, both chambers recognized that the current SNF Long-Stay Antipsychotic Quality Measure fails to adequately distinguish appropriate from inappropriate use. The Senate report appropriately emphasized the importance of ‘sufficient documentation by the patient’s physician and independent facility pharmacist’ to demonstrate appropriate use. We thank Chairman Aderholt and Senators Baldwin and Capito for their efforts to help ensure older adults residing in LTC facilities do not face barriers to clinically appropriate medications solely based on their setting of care. 

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The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

Download the press release here. 

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) continues to reshape how prescription drug prices are set under Medicare. For the first time in the program’s history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is negotiating prices not only for high-cost medications covered under Medicare Part D, but also medications payable under Medicare Part B. On January 27, CMS announced the selected 15 medication for the third cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP). They also announced that the previously negotiated price for Tradjenta would be re-negotiated.

Melissa Blacketer, mblacketer@ascp.com or 703.739.1311

Emily Bleiweis, ebleiweis@umaryland.edu or 443-615-5810

ASCP Expands Age-Friendly Pharmacy Program With New Recognition Guide and Online Application

(Alexandria, VA - January 27, 2026) As part of the organization’s Age-Friendly Initiative, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) has designed in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s (UMSOP) Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging a new Age-Friendly Pharmacy (AFP) recognition.  AFP recognition is designed to elevate pharmacists and pharmacy practice sites with acknowledgement and support.

“Peer and public recognition for pharmacies whose services consider the 4Ms and age-friendly approaches, is important to elevate the care of individuals as they age and navigate complex conditions,” said Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, Chief Executive of ASCP. 

Age-Friendly Pharmacies receive exclusive services, recognition, and offerings designed to enhance their leadership in the aging, senior care, and post-acute and long-term care space. The AFP recognition has three core areas:

·      Age-Friendly Pharmacy acknowledgement. This involves official recognition by ASCP, consistent with the guides created by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for Age-Friendly Health Systems. It will recognize that the pharmacy and its pharmacists are acknowledged to deliver better care for a rapidly aging and medically complex population across all settings, including the home and community.

·      Long-Term Care at Home Recognition. This official recognition by ASCP, via independent verification, acknowledges that the practice site complies with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) definition of long-term care at home pharmacies adapted for at home individuals by criteria established from the Alliance for Long-Term Care Pharmacy at Home.

·      ASCP Age-Friendly Clinically Integrated Network (CPESN). This involves the offer of participation in a clinically integrated network that works directly with insurers to provide opportunities for pharmacists to deliver clinical services with fair and reasonable reimbursement.

 AFPs receive additional member benefits such as complimentary event registrations, discounts on individual pharmacist, technician, and health professional memberships, and participation in the Long-Term Care at Home Alliance, which provides resources and support for individuals seeking long-term care services in their home.

ASCP’s Age-Friendly Initiative is open to all pharmacies and incorporates the expertise of pharmacies and pharmacists who specialize in the care of older adults into the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement. Funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation provides support to educate and foster pharmacy champions in the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Movement). ASCP has partnered with the UMSOP’s Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging (Lamy Center) to champion age-friendly care and optimal medication management. In partnership with the Lamy Center, ASCP created in 2025 an Age-Friendly Pharmacist Digital Badge, which recognizes individual pharmacists who have completed training on the 4Ms Framework and are committed to improving the health and well-being of older adults.

“This AFP recognition and the collaborative development of the Guide for Recognition of Age-Friendly Pharmacy help support pharmacies in providing services to achieve the 4M’s,” said Nicole Brandt, PharmD, MBA, the Parke-Davis Chair of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy at UMSOP and executive director of the Lamy Center. “Furthermore, it creates a business model to support the clinical programs that help older adults age in place. This initiative supports the patients and caregivers we serve while creating an opportunity for the pharmacy team to align with other professionals and partners to advance age-friendly care.”  

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The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging is dedicated to improving drug therapy for aging adults through innovative research, education, and clinical initiatives. The Lamy Center’s mission is to improve the lives of older adults by optimizing medication safety and use.

ASCP Foundationis a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1982. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to carry out the charitable – including scientific, literary, and educational – purposes of ASCP.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

Download press release here.

CMS and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) recently proposed several mandatory and voluntary drug payment models aimed at lowering prescription drug costs in Medicare. Below is a brief overview of each model. As more details emerge, ASCP will share more information on potential opportunities and/or impactsfor long-term care (LTC) pharmacies and consultant pharmacists.

Media Contact:

Melissa Blacketer

mblacketer@ascp.com

New Survey Reveals Imminent Long-Term Care Crisis: 80% of America's Nursing Home Residents Face Loss of Access to Essential Prescription Drugs Pharmacy Services in 2026

Without an immediate long-term care pharmacy fix, more than 1.6 million vulnerable seniors risk losing access to critical medication management

Washington, D.C. (December 30, 2025) — A devastating long-term care crisis is unfolding in America's nursing homes. New survey data released today by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) reveals that Medicare Part D drug pricing policies in the Inflation Reduction Act may force LTC pharmacy closures and widespread service cuts that could directly impact more than 80% of vulnerable long-term care residents nationwide.

The numbers are stark:

·       84% of respondents will reduce services or stop serving facilities or regions entirely. This will disproportionately impact seniors and older adults in rural areas. In some cases, lack of access to LTC pharmacy services could lead to closure of care facilities.

·       The survey respondents represent almost 20% of the estimated 1,400 closed-door LTC pharmacies serving patients in LTC facilities. They serve more than 800,000 patients or about 40% of all the patients in LTC facilities across the country. Nearly 300,000 live in rural communities.

·       78% of respondents will lay off essential LTC pharmacy staff. These layoffs have already started.

"We are witnessing the collapse of America's long-term care pharmacy infrastructure in real time, led by small, independent LTC pharmacies throughout the country," said Alan Rosenbloom, President/CEO of SCPC. "These aren't projections—these are decisions LTC pharmacies are making right now because small and mid-size LTC pharmacies cannot survive under the current reimbursement structure. When these pharmacies close, there is no one to replace them."

The immediate threat is clear: Historically, Medicare Part D Plans (Plans) have reimbursed LTC pharmacies more for brand name drugs to offset inadequate reimbursement for generic drugs and significant under payment for legally required LTC pharmacy services. Under the Part D pricing program that takes effect January 1, LTC pharmacies will receive much lower reimbursement for brand name drugs subject to negotiated prices. LTC pharmacies rely on Part D reimbursement for economic viability – 75% of LTC pharmacy revenues are from Part D – and drugs subject to negotiated prices in 2026 are heavily prescribed to LTC patients.

“Rural America will be hit hardest," said Chad Worz, CEO of ASCP. "Nearly half of the LTC pharmacies surveyed serve rural communities—areas already struggling with healthcare access. When these pharmacies reduce services or can no longer survive serving rural nursing homes, where will those homes and their patients turn?"

The solution exists: The Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act (H.R. 5031 and S. 3159) would establish a temporary supply fee for medications subject to negotiated Medicare prices dispensed by LTC pharmacies. This targeted fix ensures LTC pharmacies continue providing the specialized services required by federal law that keep vulnerable seniors safe and out of the hospital.

Congress and the Trump administration must act immediately. Every day of inaction brings more pharmacy closures, more layoffs, and puts more seniors at risk. The question facing policymakers is simple: Will they allow a well-intentioned drug pricing program to inadvertently destroy the pharmacy infrastructure that serves two million of America's most vulnerable older adults?

The time for warnings has passed. The crisis is here.

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About the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition: The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) is the only national organization exclusively representing the interests of LTC pharmacies. Its members serve one million patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings. Visit seniorcarepharmacies.org to learn more. 

About the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists:

ASCP is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for older adults. Our thousands of pharmacist members manage drug therapies and support the quality of life of geriatric patients and others living in a wide variety of care settings, including: sub-acute and long-term care facilities (LTCFs), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, correctional facilities, and home and community-based care. Visit www.ascp.com to learn more.

Download the press release here.

• Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacists Services Act (HR3164/S 2426),
• Bipartisan Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reforms (HR 4317), and
• Preserving Seniors Access to LTC Pharmacy Services Act (HR 5031/S 3159).

Worz framed his remarks in context of America’s chronic disease epidemic. He said, “America faces a chronic disease epidemic that negatively impacts the health and health outcomes of far too many Americans. Chronic diseases reduce life expectancy, drive up healthcare spending, and increase pain and medical complications for those living with these conditions. In my career in long-term care, I’ve seen the average skilled nursing patient grow younger and sicker.”

He highlighted how greater pharmacist involvement and care coordination benefits patients. He told the Subcommittee, “Pharmacists are the medication experts on the team supporting the physician, nurses, social workers and more with our deep expertise in medications, how they are made, how the body processes them and how best to avoid or manage side effects. It would be impossible to share the number of conversations that I've had with prescribers about a potentially dangerous medication that they prescribed for a patient.

But the point of interdisciplinary, team-based care is to allow the team – pharmacist, physician and more – to work together, detect errors, correct them and ensure the best possible treatment for the patient and their health outcomes.”

In support of provider status legislation, he said, “For most Americans, their local pharmacy is a one-stop shop for testing, treatment and prevention – unless you are covered by Medicare. For these older adults – many of whom face transportation issues – we force them into a doctor’s office to receive care that others receive just a few blocks from their homes. This practice simply makes no sense, especially as our nation also faces a growing physician shortage crisis.”

In addition to support expanded provider status, he highlighted the imperative for Congress to enact PBM reforms, especially in light of forthcoming Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) implementation. He stated, “we love what we do but unreasonable pressure from pharmacy benefit managers – year over year because of Congressional and regulatory inaction – has fostered a perverse reimbursement model.”

Expanding to the impacts of the new negotiated IRA prices, he added, “with the IRA artificially reducing costs and extended the timeline for pharmacy reimbursement, many long-term care pharmacies are facing the harsh reality of closing their doors, reducing services or simply not serving facilities in highly rural areas within less dense concentrations of older adults. This reality means that rural patients, who already face many barriers to care, will see more barriers and likely the inability to find a long-term care facility in their community or surrounding area.” He also highlighted CMS’ failure to hold manufacturers accountable to its own guidance and its unwillingness to mandate a dispensing fee, as authorized by Congress.

All three of these bills have been referred to the Ways & Means Committee for at least secondary jurisdiction making testimony before this subcommittee critical to advancing ASCP’s priority legislation before the end of the year and the Congressional session. ASCP’s entire testimony is available here.

According to CMS, the second-round pricing will benefit 5.3 million Medicare Part D enrollees who used the selected drugs in 2024, covering treatments for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and neurological disorders among other conditions. CMS also estimates $12 billion in savings to the government based on the program.

Under the Trump Administration, CMS executed a more aggressive negotiation process. In eight cases, CMS and manufacturers reached negotiated prices during negotiation meetings. For seven other medications, CMS issued final offers that were accepted before statutory deadlines.

As predicted, manufacturers have responded to the IRA and other pricing pressures (ie: most favored nation executive order) in different ways. Some have reduced their Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) and others have advanced the timeline for generic medications to enter the marketplace. In response to generic entering the market, CMS announced that Stelara, Xarelto and Entresto would exit the IRA negotiated price program starting 1/1/2027 because of the presence of a generic competitor.

On Halloween evening, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rulemaking for calendar year 2026. This complex annual rule establishes payment for physicians and physician-led services as well as CMS policies related to reimbursement and agency priorities. This rulemaking is the first PFS to be managed entirely by the Trump-Vance Administration and outlined many of the Administration’s intended policy goals. In September, ASCP submitted extensive comments to CMS concerning the proposed rule.

When the agency finalized the rule, they accepted many comments provided by ASCP related to expanding the role of pharmacists on the care teams of complex patients. Most significantly, CMS adopted a new definition of “direct supervision” that “allows the physician or supervising practitioner to provide such supervision through real-time audio and visual interactive telecommunications (excluding audio-only).” ASCP strongly supported the new proposed definition in our comment letter to CMS as the current COVID-related flexibilities (like the finalized change) have empowered many ASCP member pharmacists to expand the services provided to patients in select care settings. The new definition is applicable to:

·      services under § 410.26,

·      diagnostic tests under § 410.32,

·      pulmonary rehabilitation services under § 410.47, and

·      cardiac rehabilitation and intensive cardiac rehabilitation services under § 410.49. 

ASCP believes that CMS’ redefinition will preserve existing access (allowed by COVID-era flexibilities) while further expanding ‘incident to’ billing opportunities, under Medicare Part B, through greater programmatic certainty. While the redefinition is a huge step forward, we remind pharmacists to ensure they understand and comply with all other associated program requirements.

In the final rule, CMS made changes to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) to allow for asynchronous and remote delivery. In response to the role of pharmacies in the program, CMS stated: “pharmacies are able to enroll as MDPP suppliers under existing program requirements, and several pharmacies are successfully delivering the MDPP to Medicare beneficiaries at this time.”

Using its authority under the Center Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI,) CMS finalized a five-year, mandatory Ambulatory Specialty Model (AMS) for heart failure and lower back pain. Under the model, cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, pain specialists, anesthesiologists and neurosurgeons in selected regions will continue billing fee-for-service but, starting in 2029, will be subject to performance-based payment adjustments ranging from a 9% penalty to a 9% bonus, increasing to 12% by the final performance year in 2031.

While ASCP did not provide comments concerning the overall proposal, our comments outlined the important role of pharmacists in managing these conditions. While pharmacists are not eligible to participate in the ASM independently, because pharmacists cannot directly bill Medicare Part B, CMS does encourage enrolled providers to “partner with or leverage these valuable healthcare resources as part of their care delivery approach.”

Concerning telehealth services, CMS also simplified the process for procedures to be covered and expanded coverage for remote patient monitoring (RPM,) underscoring the Administration’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to consumer-based health technologies and RPM. ASCP supported this proposal as it provides greater access and greater certainty; CMS finalized the supported proposal.

In addition, ASCP, together with Project PAUSE, supported the expansion of the IA_BHM_1 merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS) to screen patients using antipsychotic medications for a broader host of associated medical conditions, including tardive dyskinesia (TD.) CMS justified its proposal by stating, “studies have also demonstrated pharmacist-physician collaborative care models for other clinical areas, such as hypertension, have resulted in lower downstream medical expenditures compared to standard of care.”

CMS also directly outlined how collaborative practice agreements achieve the MIPS goal; they state: “establishing collaborative service agreements with an enhanced monitoring service, (for example, pharmacist-led monitoring clinic) to monitor for antipsychotic associated physical health condition and either adjust medications (for example, diabetes medications) based on laboratory results or refer patients for further assessments (for example, AIMS).” CMS finalized their proposal and will begin developing validation criteria for this voluntary MIPS.

ASCP Introduces Age-Friendly Pharmacy (AFP) Recognition

ASCP has introduced a new Age-Friendly Pharmacy (AFP) recognition, designed in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging to provide pharmacies with acknowledgment, support, and educational services to assert their leadership in meeting the needs of older adults by providing age-friendly 4Ms care.

“We are pleased to introduce the AFP recognition and this new opportunity to acknowledge and support pharmacies that are committed to providing age-friendly care,” said ASCP CEO Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP. “This is an excellent opportunity to integrate the expertise of pharmacies and their teams into the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, which seeks to provide reliable and person-centered care for older adults.”

In 2024, with a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF), ASCP introduced an Age-Friendly Pharmacist initiative aimed at enhancing the care of older adults through specialized recognition for pharmacists. Practitioners had an opportunity to obtain an Age-Friendly Digital Badge that recognizes their commitment to medication management for people as they age. The Age-Friendly Pharmacist initiative is designed to acknowledge the skills pharmacists have in managing the 4Ms Framework — What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility — as part of the interprofessional team.

“The AFP recognition celebrates the heart of what we do as pharmacists — helping people age with dignity, safety, and support,” said Nicole Brandt, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, FASCP , executive director of the Lamy Center and the Parke-Davis Chair of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy at the School of Pharmacy. “It’s an exciting step forward in recognizing pharmacies that put older adults and person-centered care at the center of clinical services they provide to achieve 4Ms care.”

The new AFP recognition for pharmacies has three core components:

• Age-Friendly Pharmacy Recognition. Consistent with the 4Ms Framework established by the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative of JAHF and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), pharmacy and its pharmacists will be acknowledged for delivering better care to the increasing medically complex and aging population across all settings, including the home and community. This recognition also helps the public immediately recognize the services offered to help them age gracefully in place, wherever they are. Qualification criteria will be based on self-attestation alongside ASCP verification.

• LTC Pharmacy Performance and Service Criteria: Recognized pharmacies will join a growing network of pharmacies delivering care to older adults beyond traditional care settings. Qualification criteria will be based on self-attestation, alongside ASCP verification, that pharmacies are implementing the 4Ms Framework and comply with the full Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) definition of long-term care pharmacy services.

• The ASCP Age-Friendly Clinically Integrated Network through CPESN: AFP pharmacies will be able to participate in an enhanced pharmacy services network, working directly with insurers to provide opportunities for pharmacists to deliver clinical services with fair and reasonable reimbursement. The network incorporates innovations and technology to empower its group of pharmacies and pharmacists to succeed in an evolving outcomes marketplace. Transparency in value contracting ensures sustainability and independent community pharmacies as they leverage local trust for new provider and payer partnerships.

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ASCP: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging is dedicated to improving drug therapy for aging adults through innovative research, education, and clinical initiatives. The Center’s mission is to improve the lives of older adults by optimizing medication safety and use.

ASCP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1982. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to carry out the charitable – including scientific, literary, and educational – purposes of ASCP.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States

Media Contact:

Melissa Blacketer

mblacketer@ascp.com

Hundreds Attend IRA Implementation Summit; Uncertainties, Confusion and Concerns about Service Levels Underscore Dialogue

Alexandria, VA – On Thursday, September 25^th, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) hosted a half-day summit focused on the implementation of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in long-term care (LTC) settings.

“As we look at the implementation horizon, we thought it was imperative to bring all the players into one room for a conversation about what we know, what we don’t know, where we are and how we can work together,” said Chad Worz, PharmD, Chief Executive of ASCP. “On January 1^st, we all have a shared responsibility to ensure that no patient loses access to their medications because of IRA or Maximum Fair Price implementation. Technical hiccups cannot be allowed to impact patient care or access.”

The conversation featured seven panels highlighting the different actors in the drug supply chain, including manufacturers, payers, wholesalers, pharmacies, group purchasing organizations (GPOs), technology vendors and policymakers. 

In the meeting, panels stressed:

• The large number of remaining uncertainties associated with government implementation and system readiness,
• The necessity for long-term care pharmacies to stock and dispense all medications needed by long-term care patients,
• The oversized impacted on long-term care pharmacies from the program due to serving a high-need Medicare population,
• The need for pharmacies to register with the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Data Module (DM), as soon as possible, and
• The importance of maintaining patient access to the specialized services that long term care pharmacies provide.

Nearly 500 people registered for the hybrid conference and live streaming reached nearly 300. The meeting was held 98 days and 67 working days from implementation date on January 1^st, 2026. 

“I think that our high attendance rate is a direct result of uncertainties and confusion associated with implementation,” added Dr. Worz. “Pharmacists, pharmacies, patients and really everyone has a long of questions, many of which remain unanswered. We have to keep talking and working together to ensure there is no patient impacts on 1-1-26 and that pharmacies, especially long-term care pharmacies, can continue to operate and serve the needs of long-term care patients in facilities across the country.”

The conversations will be archived on ASCP’s website in the coming days. ASCP’s IRA resource page can be found at www.ascp.com/iraupdates.

The meeting was held at the Embassy Suites in Alexandria, VA thanks to the generous support of Managed Health Care Associates, Inc, Cencora, J&J, Innovatix, Framwork LTC, SPS Health, Pfizer, GeriMed, Axys LTC and RedSail. 

About ASCP: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.

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Download the press release here. 

• All manufacturers will be leveraging an application (Beacon App,) as a third-party support entity, to coordinate with pharmacies. Enrollment in the app opens on October 1st at mfp.beaconchannelmanagement.com. The best point of contact is productsupport@mfp.beaconchannelmanagement.com.
• All manufacturers plan to use the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Payment Module (PM) to process refunds.

Earlier this week, CMS released the redacted effectuation plans crafted by the eight impacted primary manufacturers who are responsible for ensuring the Maximum Fair Price (MFP). The plans are available to enrolled pharmacies and PSAOs via the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Data Module (DM).

Collectively, the plans are thin on details. All of the plans outline how the manufacturers will use the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Payment Module (PM) to make payments to pharmacies. Additionally, all will leverage a third-party vendor, Berkeley Research Group’s (BRG) Second Sight Solution, who will operate an application, called Beacon. Enrollment in the application opens on October 1st at mfp.beaconchannelmanagement.com. The point of contact is productsupport@mfp.beaconchannelmanagement.com.

AstraZeneca’s plan for Farxiga adopts many of the recommendations made by ASCP and NCPA to manufacturers, including, “consistently use of the standard default refund amount (SDRA,) data transfers to the MTF DM and reasonable limits on audits. AstraZeneca is the only manufacturer to directly pledge to use the SDRA. Specific to audits, AstraZeneca will limit audits to twice per year and claims filled within 24 months. It agreed to provide 45-day’s notice and will identify a singular point of contact for expedite disputes.

Novatris’ plan for Entresto also reflects elements of ASCP/NCPA’s joint recommendations. Novatris has a three-step process for identifying pharmacies in need of mitigation. LTC pharmacy “yes” or “no” is question two. As a qualified pharmacy, LTC pharmacies should receive expedited payment in 7 days.

The plans for Stelara (Johnson & Johnson), Imbruvica (AbbVie), Enbrel (Immunex), Xarelto (Johnson & Johnson), Eliquis (BMS), Januvia (Merck) and Jaridance (Boehringer) are all similar, including daily data transfers. Enbrel’s plan notes it believes its system will make payments within 12 days. In Imbruvica’s plan, AbbVie will allow special requests, via Beacon, for "potential modifications to effectuation, including timing, as necessary, for those dispensing entities that request mitigation."

Merck’s plan for Januvia pledges to dedicate additional resources to “accelerate MFP refund timelines” where “operationally feasible” for claims received in January 2026. Merck does not seem to believe that the cashflow challenges will exist beyond January 2026.

Novo Nordisk’s plan for Novolog, Fiasp, et al similar minimizes the cashflow impacts on LTC pharmacies. They cite but do not publish internal modeling data that apparently shows pharmacies will not see a cashflow impact and rather, will benefit from the program with increased margins. They state, “dispensing entities largely purchase at a discount off WAC and will thereby realize margin improvement upon receipt of the MFP refund.”

ASCP will continue its ongoing engagement with manufacturers, CMS, payers and others to smooth, everywhere possible, the bumps in IRA implementation. All of ASCP’s collective resources are IRA can be found on this page.

In comments, ASCP applauded CMS’ inclusion of a broad request for information (RFI) concerning FIM and medically tailored meals (MTMs) as a part of the draft rule. ASCP cited a Milken Institute report, called “Catalyzing Action for Pharmacist-Provided Food Is Medicine Care” that extolled the benefits of pharmacists' inclusion in these programs. Both ASCP and CMS are aware of the pervasiveness of chronic health conditions in America, many of which are caused or exacerbated by diet, like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. ASCP recommended that the billing codes used for these food programs allow auxiliary personnel to bill for these services under the general supervision of a physician. ASCP also recommended that CMS allow community-based organizations to deliver and ensure the quality of MTMs for patients. Finally, ASCP encouraged CMS to ensure that wrap-around services were available to patients exiting the MTM program including, medically tailored groceries (MTG) and/or medically tailored meal-planning to support long-term management of their chronic conditions.

ASCP broadly supported CMS’ proposed provisions on RPM. Research published as recently as June 2025 showed that RPM reduced hospitalizations by nearly 60 percent compared to the average number of hospital readmissions six months after enrollment. CMS proposed establishing new codes which ASCP supported; the new 99XX4 and 99XX5 codes are necessary to reflect services provided to patients for periods less than one month. While ASCP supported CMS’ code changes, we disagree with the agency’s valuation and its decision to use hospital claims data instead of the values established by the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). We urge CMS to reconsider this decision. Finally, ASCP encouraged CMS to consider additional flexibilities for underserved geographic areas, patients residing in LTC facilities, home-based patients requiring institutional levels of care and patients with complex chronic conditions, like diabetes or hypertension.

CMS proposed to permanently eliminate the current limit on telehealth visits for SNF patients can receive, currently capped at one visit per 14 days. This current limit is outdated, does not match best care practices and reduces access to specialized providers for high-need SNF patients. ASCP lauded CMS’ efforts to expand access and reduce hospitalizations by finalizing this proposed change. The proposed rule also made other changes to telehealth provisions like preserving existing telehealth flexibilities. CMS’ proposed to redefine ‘direct supervision’ as “‘immediate availability’ of the supervising practitioner using audio/video real-time communications technology.” ASCP strongly supported this proposal in comments, ASCP also supports CMS’ proposal to reduce the number of steps, from five to three, for coverage of telehealth CPT codes - thus eliminating the telehealth provisional list. As a package, the proposed rule offers some exciting provisions that should improve the healthcare experience for providers and patients alike. ASCP awaits the final rulemaking from CMS.

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Comments

Starting January 1, 2025, the ESRD bundle payment began covering oral phosphate-binding agents for patients receiving dialysis services. ASCP, along with other organizations representing kidney patients and older adults, opposed this change in our comments to CMS’ draft rule. In a letter dated August 23, 2023, we wrote, “including PLTs in the ESRD PPS not only negatively impacts the health of seniors on dialysis, but it also increases costs for treatment.” Sadly, our warnings were unheeded, and access has been disrupted.

When payment shifts to medical service providers, who are not typically involved in dispensing medications nor have experience serving long-term care (LTC) settings, patient access suffers. Since the payment transition, ASCP has collected and shared stories of patient harm because of issues associated with the dialysis providers and their contracted pharmacies.

In comments, ASCP called on CMS to enforce 42 CFR §423.154, which requires appropriate packaging for medication entering a LTC facility. Per this regulation, LTC pharmacies must follow strict standards for compliance packaging, but, per ASCP’s knowledge, dialysis providers and their pharmacies are NOT being held to the same standard when serving skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents. This inconsistency undermines patient safety and increases the workload on the already overburdened facility staff. Read ASCP’s full comments here.

In comment, ASCP challenged CMS to "immediately begin the enforcement of this vital patient safety provision. If CMS can mandate these services on pharmacies servicing SNFs, then it must also mandate and enforce the same regulations on dialysis providers and/or their contracted pharmacies who are providing medications for patients who live in SNFs.”

Additionally, ASCP express concerns over the elimination of the ESRD Treatment Choice Model, which allows patients who face barriers to in-facility care to access dialysis services. ASCP added, “we hope that the agency will work with ASCP and other provider and patient organizations to quickly develop a new, more effective model to deliver dialysis care to patients.”

Home Health Access Comments

ASCP also provided feedback on CMS’ proposed home health rule. The comments focused on opposing the proposed competitive bidding for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps, and addressing access to medical equipment for patients receiving care at home. Read ASCP’s full comments here.

The Social Security Act requires CMS to establish a monthly rental payment for durable medical equipment that requires “frequent and substantial servicing.” As ASCP commented, “[t]hese products do not meet the statutory definition established in this section. Most CGMs use a sensor and transmitter attached to the patient’s skin to send data to a receiver. Depending on the product, the sensor is replaced, by the patient, every week to two weeks. The receiver is not usually changed and for many patients, it is their smartphone or other handheld device. These devices do not require frequent or substantial servicing from technicians or medical professionals.” ASCP added that it would be supportive of a CMMI Demostration Study to prove the assumptions of CMS.

Additionally, ASCP took the opportunity to highlight the clinical benefits of pharmacist-driven glucose management, including measurable reductions in A1C levels, more time spent in target ranges and improved patient engagement. ASCP also highlighted the challenges associated with providing these services to patients, including reimbursement and data interoperability. In summary, ASCP stated, “[w]e recommend that CMS work to ensure that pharmacists can counsel patient, leverage CGM data and bill for their services.”

ASCP also opposed CMS’ proposals regarding annual reaccreditation and PTAN revocation following a singular beneficiary claim of non-delivery. ASCP added, “we feel that revocation based on a singular, unvaried claim is not fair, reasonable; nor does this practice offer an opportunity for audit, due process or appeal.”