MMA Signs on to AMA Letter Opposing Federal Legislation Expanding Pharmacist's Scope of Practice

July 31, 2025

The MMA has signed on to an AMA letter opposing HR 3164, the “Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act,” in particular because it would allow “pharmacists to perform services that would normally only be authorized and covered if they were furnished by a physician.” 

The letter was sent July 24 to bill authors, Rep. Adrian Smith (R – Nebraska, 3rd District) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D – Illinois, 10th District). A similar bill has since been introduced in the Senate by Majority Leader John Thune (R – South Dakota) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia).  

“This bill is focused on allowing pharmacists to perform Evaluation and Management services for influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat),” says the letter signed by the MMA, as well as dozens of other national medical societies and state medical associations. “Evaluation and management services, however, constitute the practice of medicine and fall well beyond the scope of training of a pharmacist and, therefore, puts patient safety at risk.” 

The letter goes on to say: "Misdiagnoses, siloed and uncoordinated care, and patients not receiving the right care at the right time all lead to worse patient outcomes and add costs to our health care system. We should respect the success of coordinated physician led team-based care and put patient safety first by rejecting the misguided approach in this legislation. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to protect the health and safety of our patient population and oppose the passage of HR 3164."