Media statement on Federal Retail Pharmacy Program

AmerisourceBergen commends the federal government’s decision to activate the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program early to support vaccination efforts across the United States in Phase 1. With the start of this program, AmerisourceBergen will formally begin its role as a “network administrator” and place orders with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on behalf of an initial set of eligible and qualified Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Elevate Provider Network members in Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Guam. Because AmerisourceBergen has a seat at the table, the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Network was selected to provide support in these jurisdictions early because of their ability to equitably serve local, hard-to-reach priority populations that are at risk for severe illness quickly and efficiently.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccines roll-out, we have seen independent community pharmacists step up in a major way to support their states and the Federal Long-Term Care program to help get more shots in arms,” said Brian Nightengale, RPh., PhD., President of Good Neighbor Pharmacy. “We are beyond excited to see the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program kick off and give more independent community pharmacies the opportunity to join in this massive national inoculation movement. We know that this is just the start of the program and it’s encouraging to see pharmacies get pulled forward to support Phase 1. We’ll continue to work with our independent pharmacy customers to make sure more Good Neighbor Pharmacy Network members are ready to be activated as the federal program continues to expand in either Phase 1 or Phase 2.” 

“The power of independent pharmacy has been on full display throughout the pandemic and now with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Every single day, tens of thousands of pharmacists, technicians and staff members working tirelessly on the front lines to ensure their communities and patients have the care they need and are being inoculated and protected from the Coronavirus,” said Rich Tremonte, EVP and President of Community and Specialty Pharmacy at AmerisourceBergen. “We are incredibly proud of our Good Neighbor Pharmacy customers’ unwavering perseverance, and we are grateful to be their partner as they begin to receive vaccines through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.”