Joint ACA | ACVP | PPSI Statement on COVID-19
At the American College of Apothecaries, American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, and Pharmacists Public Health Initiatives, public health and safety is our top priority.
While we are operating as usual, we are also working on contingency plans to be prepared for changing circumstances. We are actively following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local state departments of health as well as local public health authorities so we can respond quickly to any shifts in their recommendations.
What are ACA , ACVP, and PPHI doing in response to COVID-19?
After careful consideration for the safety of our training class participants, instructors, and staff, the American College of Apothecaries resumed in-person training classes on June 4, 2020. ACA followed local public health guidelines to develop the following protocols.
Our top priority is providing the best training opportunities for pharmacy professionals in the safest environment for employees, instructors, participants, and the community.
Our safety protocols include:
- Daily health screening upon entrance to facility for all class participants and staff
- Limiting visitors to facility and lowering class size
- Allowing staff to telework and informing staff not to come to work if sick
- Enforcing six-foot distancing for all individuals throughout facility
- Dedicated workspaces for class participants during compounding training courses, including classroom and lab areas
- Providing masks to every individual
- Providing hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to all visitors, class participants and staff at facility entrance, in bathrooms, breakroom, training room, and labs
- Offices, bathrooms, breakroom, and lab are cleaned and disinfected daily
- Additional measures will be taken throughout the facility to prevent unnecessary contact between individuals
What steps can pharmacists take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Recommend to your patients and staff to follow all of the steps recommended by the CDC. The same simple steps that prevent the spread of ordinary flu viruses work against COVID-19 and other illnesses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cough into a tissue or your elbow (not your hand). Then throw the tissue away and wash hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick, with a temperature above 100.0 F (38.7 C) or do not feel well, appear weak or ill.
- Consult your health care provider if you have special health conditions that put you at increased risk.
Be a Source of Comfort and Calm for the Public
The CDC has developed a helpful resource for Healthcare Professionals that covers clinical features, infection control, and guidances for evaluating and reporting persons under investigation (PUI).
Additional information and resources about the Covid-19:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – The CDC is publishing its latest updates, health tips, and country-specific travel information.
- World Health Organization – Coronavirus Q&A, a helpful Q&A addressing many of the common questions about this virus.
2020 CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA)
COCA prepares clinicians to respond to emerging health threats and public health emergencies by communicating relevant, timely information related to disease outbreaks, disasters, terrorism events, and other health alerts.
Calls/Webinars Information, Summaries, & Slide Sets
Click on the titles below for more information.
Title: Underlying Medical Conditions and People at Higher Risk for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Date: Friday, March 27, 2020
Title: COVID-19 Update: Optimization Strategies for Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
From USP Healthcare Quality & Safety Team
UPDATED: March 18, 2020
In light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for garbing and personal protective equipment (PPE) and alcohol-based hand sanitizer is expected to outpace available supply. During this pandemic, USP supports State Boards and other regulators using risk-based enforcement discretion related to the implementation of USP compounding standards and the compounding of alcohol-based hand sanitizers for consumer use.
The USP Compounding Expert Committee developed the following informational resources that may be of assistance during this public health emergency:
From the FDA: Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency
UPDATED: March 14, 2020
Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) has received a number of queries concerning compounding of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Read or download the guidance here: https://www.fda.gov/media/136118/download
