DHHS Advisory Opinion 20-02 On The Public Readiness & Emergency Preparedness Act & The Secretary’s Declaration Under The Act

On May 19, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services published guidance on pharmacists' authorization to order and administer COVID-19 diagnostic tests. The guidance explains, under the April 14, 2020 Advisory Opinion, licensed pharmacists are considered qualified to order and administer COVID-19 tests authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, even in states where licensed pharmacists are not authorized to do so. Under the Public Readiness & Emergency Preparedness Act, states and local authorities may not prohibit qualified persons from ordering and administering covered countermeasures . . .