WASHINGTON — The Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition (PAPCC), a group of more than 25 organizations representing patients, pharmacists, pharmacies and other stakeholders, has launched an expanded media initiative to promote the role that pharmacists can play in dealing with the challenges faced by seniors in accessing health care services.

The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (S. 314/H.R. 592), which was introduced with bipartisan sponsorship in late January, would formally designate pharmacists as health care providers under Medicare Part B. Specifically, Medicare patients would gain enhanced access to pharmacists’ expertise and pharmacy services — including immunizations, diabetes screenings and self-management education, cardiovascular screenings, and behavioral therapy — in states where pharmacists are allowed to provide those services.

The legislation has the support of both the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the American Pharmacists Association.

As part of its effort, PAPCC will run print and digital advertising in media outlets in the Beltway region over the course of the congressional calendar.

The initiative will kick off with an advertisement,“Pharmacists care, in more ways than you may know,” designed to educate readers about the role that pharmacists can play in filling the gaps some patients can face in trying to access health care. It will be the first in a series of ads.