Texas Pharmacy Association member Ellie Studdard, a pharmacist
at Tarrytown Pharmacy in Austin, testified April 17 before the House Public
Health Committee on behalf of TPA in support of House Bill 1105
by Rep. Four Price. Without legislative action, the expanded federal
immunization authority granted by the PREP Act will expire next year.
“Pharmacists are highly educated,
well-trained, and experienced immunizers, well-positioned to collaborate
with primary care physicians to improve childhood immunization rates,”
Studdard said. "Patients regularly bring their kids to our pharmacy for
needed childhood vaccinations. Many of them may not have a regular
pediatrician or primary care doctor, or perhaps they cannot book a
timely or convenient appointment."
The pandemic showed just how important
pharmacies are as an access point for immunizations. "Our pharmacists
and thousands like us have gone above and beyond to serve our fellow
Texans, and we want to continue doing so beyond the expiration date of
the federal PREP Act in October 2024,” Studdard said. TPA members Aimee
Lusson and Tim Purser also testified in support of the bill.
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