April 6, 2023 

                                                     
 
The Honorable Donna Bailey, Chair
The Honorable Anne Perry, Chair
The Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services
 
RE: LD1151 An Act to Decrease Barriers for Preventive Health Services by Allowing Pharmacy Technicians to
Administer Vaccines
 
Representative Perry and members of the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee:

My name is Emily Seely and I am currently a resident of Winslow, ME and a 5th year Doctor of Pharmacy student at Husson
University. I have been working in pharmacy for 10 years, first as a pharmacy technician and now a pharmacy intern. On
behalf of Husson University, my peers, and the rural communities of Maine, I am submitting this testimony in support of the
amendments to LD1151.

Pharmacists have been the center of flu and routine vaccines over the past few years, especially since the beginning of the
COVID-19 pandemic, where physicians only saw patients virtually. Due to the current restrictions requiring patients to provide
a prescription for routine vaccines to be administered by pharmacists, patients are still required to attend an appointment with
their physician prior to receiving their vaccine. This can pose barriers to care for a lot of patients who unfortunately do not
have a provider, or their provider is booking months in advance. Pharmacists on the other hand, are often available for walk-in
appointments, and have expanded hours in comparison to a primary care physician. This allows patients the flexibility to stop
into their pharmacy, consult with a pharmacist and receive a vaccine all on the same day. Allowing pharmacists to prescribe
routine vaccines for patients 18 and older will assist in increasing vaccination rates in Maine.

Pharmacists are required to take a 20-hour ACPE-accredited training course if they wish to administer vaccines, this training
course has a 12-hour home study program that is focused on education regarding the different types of vaccines and their
eligibility. This is followed by an 8-hour live session focused on the clinical aspects of vaccines and demonstration for proper
technique. This course provides the education necessary for a pharmacist to assess a patient and determine their eligibility for
routine vaccines, in addition to flu and COVID vaccines.

In order to keep up with new information, pharmacists are also required by Maine State Law to take two continuing education
credits per year that pertain to vaccine administration. Everyday there are new advances in treatments that could change the
course of a patient's therapy, it is a pharmacist's professional obligation to stay updated on new information. Every pharmacist
I have had the opportunity to work with has gone above and beyond to stay updated beyond the requirements of licensure.
Pharmacy is a career that is rapidly evolving and has expanded over the years to become a more patient centered approach.
Changing the regulations for pharmacists will help fill the gaps in healthcare and prevent a visit with a physician in order to
receive a routine vaccine.

Pharmacists follow an extensive review process every time they dispense a prescription to ensure it is appropriate, this process
is the same for vaccines. There are also extra steps taken and questions asked to ensure the process of administering the
vaccine is as smooth as possible. Based on my experience from completing the 20-hour immunization course and the
opportunities I have had to administer vaccines; I believe pharmacists are more than capable of assessing and prescribing
routine vaccines for patients over the age of 18. I am very aware of the privilege pharmacists are given to immunize and I look
forward to being a vital part of the healthcare team when I graduate.

Husson University’s School of Pharmacy is happy to answer any questions and work with the committee on this legislation.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
 
Most sincerely,

 
Emily Seely
Husson University School of Pharmacy
Class of 2024 PharmD Candidate