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Susan Cantrell, RPh, MHL, CAE, CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), warns that politicizing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) could undermine vaccine trust.
In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Susan Cantrell, RPh, MHL, CAE, CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, expressed concern about recent changes to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), warning that politicization of the body could erode trust in science and limit patient access to vaccines. Cantrell emphasized the pharmacy community’s role in countering misinformation by collaborating, educating, and equipping pharmacists with the tools needed for effective communication. Looking ahead, Cantrell said she is optimistic about the future, pointing to expanded pharmacist scope of practice, workforce contributions amid physician shortages, and new frameworks positioning pharmacists as key providers in preventive care and chronic disease management.
Pharmacy Times: What are your concerns regarding the recent changes to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and what could the removal of its members mean for public confidence in public health recommendations?
Susan Cantrell, RPh, MHL, CAE: ACIP plays a vital role in the US immunization strategy and is a cornerstone of our public health infrastructure. We are deeply concerned about the recent removal of its members before the end of their terms. That move risks politicizing what has historically been a trusted, science-based body. Undermining confidence in ACIP is dangerous, especially given how critical public trust in vaccination science is right now.
This change could have serious implications. For example, payers often follow ACIP recommendations when determining coverage, and while they haven’t changed policies yet, there’s concern about the stability of that reliance. Additionally, in 18 states and the District of Columbia, pharmacists’ vaccine authority is directly tied to ACIP recommendations. Major shifts could directly impact patients’ ability to access timely vaccines.
Pharmacy Times: How can the pharmacy community, including organizations like AMCP, work to ensure that future public health guidance remains grounded in scientific consensus and is communicated effectively to the public?
Cantrell: A major concern right now is the erosion of trust in science and the rapid spread of misinformation. For decades, we worked to educate the public on the value of science and evidence-based care, and to see that progress erode so quickly is very concerning.
Pharmacy organizations across the spectrum, including AMCP, have a responsibility to work together to rebuild trust. We’re part of a pharmacy-wide working group that recently held a webinar on improving vaccine communication and education. We can't go at it alone. By working together, collaborating across organizations, providing pharmacists with the resources they need, and reinforcing scientific consensus in patient interactions, we can counter misinformation and restore confidence. If there was ever a time for pharmacy organizations and other health care organizations to band together and collaborate on these important issues, now is that time.
Pharmacy Times: As pharmacists continue to expand their scope of practice, how do you see their role changing in the next decade in the broader context of preventive care and disease management?
Cantrell: I’m really excited about what the future holds for pharmacy. During the pandemic, pharmacists proved their ability to step up in a crisis and their worth as a profession, solidifying their role as public health professionals and health care providers. Many states have since expanded pharmacists’ scope of practice in areas like medication management, immunizations, and chronic disease management under collaborative practice agreements.
Pharmacists are also part of the solution to healthcare workforce shortages, especially physician shortages. AMCP, along with the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners, has updated the framework for the pharmacist patient care process to reflect this evolving role. I believe pharmacists will remain an essential part of a patient-centered, team-based health care approach, with a bright future in preventive care, disease management, and helping the patients that we serve.
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