AMA ENDORSES PHARMACY'S ROLE IN VACCINATIONS

Responding to recommendations from pharmacy leaders,the American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegatesadopted a new policy recognizing the role of pharmacists inadministering vaccinations.

The new policy was approved following a presentation byAmerican Pharmacists Association (APhA) representativeMargaret Tomecki, PharmD, who told the AMA delegates that>25,000 pharmacists have completed the Centers for Disease-Control and Prevention recognized Pharmacy-Based ImmunizationDelivery certificate training program, and that 44 states currently authorizepharmacy practitioners to administer vaccinations.

Tomecki, a community pharmacist and assistant professor at the Universityof Illinois-Chicago, also was instrumental in convincing the AMA delegates toreconsider several other proposed new policies that raised concerns amongsome pharmacy leaders. One AMA resolution proposed new obligations for pharmacistswho invoke a so-called "conscience clause" to refuse to fill prescriptions fordrugs used in emergency contraception or physician-assisted suicide.