May 27, 2020
Executive Order 2020-104 Authorizes Pharmacists to Establish and Administer COVID-19 Testing Services  
In order to increase testing in the state of Michigan Executive Order 2020-104 authorizes licensed pharmacists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners the authority to establish and administer a COVID testing service in the state, using FDA approved tests, without an additional state license or permit at any site. The EO also temporarily suspends regulations for strict compliance with the scope-of-practice, supervision and delegation provisions. 

Licensees administering a COVID-19 testing service or testing laboratory shall comply with the following:
  1. Any specimen collected at a COVID-19 testing service shall be tested at a laboratory or entity in accordance with federal CLIA regulations as facilitated by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. High-complexity tests, including PCR tests, must be tested at a laboratory that is CLIA certified. Waived tests, including rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests, must be tested at an entity that has obtained a CLIA waiver.
  2. The licensee shall provide personnel with any training necessary to operate a COVID-19 testing service.
  3. The licensee shall comply with any reporting requirements issued by DHHS.
  4. COVID-19 testing service personnel shall use proper personal protective equipment when administering and conducting specimen collection and testing.
  5. A licensee collecting specimens for testing who does not perform testing shall securely store specimens pending retrieval by the entity that will test the specimens.
  6. A licensee shall refer patients to appropriate medical providers for follow up, if not available through the entity conducting testing.

Note that unlicensed personnel working at one of these testing sites would have to be trained by the licensee, and can perform any of the tasks and functions of COVID-19 testing services, including screening of patients, observing self-swabbing, temporarily storing specimens pending transmittal to a laboratory, transmitting specimens to a laboratory, reporting test results to the Michigan Disease Surveillance System, and referring patients to appropriate medical providers for follow-up.
Updated COVID-19 Test Prioritization Guidelines From MDHHS
MDHHS is substantially expanding COVID-19 testing prioritization criteria. Full criteria are listed on page two of the attached memorandum, and newly-eligible groups include:
  • Asymptomatic patients in preparation for surgical procedures, as deemed necessary by the treating clinician
  • Asymptomatic people with known exposure to a person with COVID-19, or symptoms of COVID-19
  • Asymptomatic people who work in a profession that puts them at high risk of exposure
  • Testing to increase rates per million per day in communities facing inequity in access (i.e., areas with higher proportion of racial/ethnic minorities, rural communities)
COVID-19: Becoming a Medicare Part B Provider
It's time to consider becoming a Medicare Part B provider if you have not already done so in the past.

Click here to review this document for the Why and How and the exceptions being made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MPA COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall
Featuring Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey of Clarklake
Monday, June 15, 2020 | 7 p.m.
The next FREE MPA COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall will be held  Monday, June 15, 2020, at 7 p.m.  This Town Hall will will feature the Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey of Clarklake.   Reserve your spot today !

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PARTICIPATION REQUESTED 2020 Economic Survey
Each year, the MPA conducts an economic survey of pharmacy professionals in the state to evaluate salaries and benefits received as well as other practice issues. Please take a few minutes to anonymously add your responses which will help provide pharmacy professionals and employers with valuable salary and benefit information.

Survey responses must be received no later than Monday, June 15, 2020. The results of the 2020 Michigan Pharmacy Economic Survey will be published and available to MPA members in the July issue of the  Michigan Pharmacist  journal. Nonmembers who provide their email address will be provided with a summary of survey results.

Questions? Contact MPA at (517) 484-1466 or  MPA@MichiganPharmacists.org .
We Need Your Feedback - Communication Assessment of Pharmacy Emergency Preparedness and Response
During public health and natural disasters, the everyday skills of pharmacy professionals are critical. Pharmacists are trusted and are the most accessible healthcare professionals. Pharmacy technicians and students also play a critical role in an emergency situation or natural disaster. The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) works closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response (DEPR) to ensure the active participation of pharmacy professionals in emergency response. Please complete this short, three-minute survey to help MPA and MDHHS DEPR assess modes of communication to increase outreach, knowledge, competence and preparation of pharmacy professionals. Please check the appropriate boxes to indicate your answer.
FDA-CDER COVID-19 Critical Care Drug Monitoring Survey Portal
Third Survey is Now Open
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a vital role in helping to address the COVID-19 pandemic and recognizes the critical role of health-systems. Currently, FDA is working to identify critical care drugs essential for the care and management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, particularly for those managed in the intensive care units. 

Input from health-systems help to identify drugs that may be at risk of a regional or national shortage. The FDA is requesting health-systems to complete a brief survey on a  weekly basis . The information will be used to help ensure these drugs remain available to meet the needs of your state and our nation.