NEW YORK – The US Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health announced Wednesday that licensed pharmacists are authorized to order and administer SARS-CoV-2 tests.
Pharmacists will qualify as "covered persons" under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act and can offer SARS-CoV-2 tests, including serology tests, that the US Food and Drug Administration has authorized.
Under the PREP Act, pharmacists may receive immunity for claims for loss related to the administration of SARS-CoV-2 tests.
The new guidance does not impact reimbursement policy regarding whether a pharmacist may be reimbursed for the test by government or commercial insurers.