ALEXANDRIA, Va.  — The National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents over 21,000 independent pharmacies across the country, issued the following statement on behalf of CEO B. Douglas Hoey in response to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order authorizing New York’s small business independent pharmacies to serve as COVID-19 testing collection centers:

Doug Hoey

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo for enlisting independent pharmacies in the fight against the pandemic. Local pharmacies in New York and every state have been fighting for the authority to do testing because they know their patients, their communities, and the country needs them to have that capacity. We strongly urge other states to follow Governor Cuomo’s leadership.

“Independent pharmacies have been serving on the front lines since the crisis began. They’ve expanded home deliveries, drive-thru service, and curb-side service. They are compounding hand sanitizer for first responders and their patients. Most importantly, they are protecting patient access to necessary medicines during this national health crisis. Our members in New York are proud and eager to serve as test collection centers. Independent pharmacies are a vital part of the healthcare system and they have the potential to conduct diagnostic and antibody testing.”