ASHP Appeals To Agency To Keep Pharmacists In Loan Repayment Programs

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 09 Jun 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) should not implement proposed regulatory changes that would block pharmacists from participating in student loan repayment programs, ASHP told the agency in comments on its proposed rule to revise and consolidate the criteria and processes for designating health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).

The proposed rule would eliminate the pharmacy HPSAs, which would make pharmacists ineligible to participate in the National Health Services Corps (NHSC) loan repayment programs. HRSA plans to eliminate pharmacy HPSAs because the loan repayment programs for pharmacists are no longer authorized or funded.

In its comments, ASHP points to the current pharmacist shortage and the impact that it has on patients in rural areas. The Society stresses that programs such as the NHSC serve as incentives for pharmacists to practice in these areas, which would help to alleviate the shortage and provide better patient care.

On the legislative front, ASHP continues to push for pharmacist involvement in loan repayment programs and is working to clarify that pharmacists can participate in the NHSC. The Society has urged Congress to appropriate additional funds for the loan repayment programs so pharmacists are able to participate fully.

Click here to read ASHP's comment to HRSA.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists