This delay is an acknowledgement of a much needed delay – advocated by NACDS, along with supply chain and other pharmacy partners – to address technical and operational issues that had the potential to create supply chain disruptions and adversely impact patients’ access to needed medications.
Seventy-two percent who support track and trace, and 70% of those who have experienced a medicine or health product shortage, back an extension of the DSCSA’s final implementation date.
“Specifically, we request FDA use its authority under the law for dispensers to comply with the EDDS requirements no earlier than February 27, 2026.”
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)-backed move — which will greatly enhance patients’ access to hearing aids — comes out of a final rule issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-August.
The importance of the issue is underscored given rising rates of COVID-19 fueled by Omicron subvariants.
NACDS today welcomed the announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), “to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment and prescribing of Paxlovid.”
Diverse NACDS-backed provisions would enhance patients’ access to OTC hearing aids and to biosimilar and generic medications, and would maintain flexibility in drug disposal options.
Late last week, NACDS participated in a listening session with FDA Commissioner Califf and a handful of stakeholder groups to discuss on the ground insights regard the infant supply formula shortage.
On Monday, Dr. Kavita Patel, former White House policy director and fellow at the Brookings Institution, joined Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin of CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss pediatric COVID vaccines.
Appreciates the recognition of pharmacies’ need to plan ahead to be ready should the FDA and CDC authorize COVID shots for this age group.
