Thank You- Legislative Days 2026: A Historic and Highly Successful Advocacy Effort

The Florida Pharmacy Association’s 2026 Legislative Days, held January 27–28 at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, marked a historic and highly successful advocacy effort for the profession of pharmacy.

Over the course of two days, more than 200 FPA members convened at the Capitol, representing the largest attendance ever for FPA Legislative Days. Pharmacists, student pharmacists, faculty, and leaders from every Florida college of pharmacy were present, underscoring the unified voice of our profession and the depth of engagement across the state.

FPA members conducted meetings with a significant number of Florida House and Senate members, ensuring that the perspective of Florida pharmacy was clearly and directly communicated. In addition, legislative priority packets were formally delivered to every member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, guaranteeing comprehensive awareness of FPA’s policy priorities during a legislative session that features the largest volume of pharmacy related legislation in Florida’s history.

Attendees also observed and participated in key committee hearings, further reinforcing pharmacy’s active role in the legislative process and providing valuable insight into the progression of healthcare policy under consideration.

The FPA House FPPC sponsored event, reached maximum capacity and was exceptionally well attended by state legislators, past and present FPA board members, FPA staff, and association members. This gathering served as an important forum for dialogue, relationship building, and continued collaboration between policymakers and pharmacy leaders.

These Legislative Days demonstrated the strength, professionalism, and credibility of the Florida Pharmacy Association and its members. The engagement achieved, the breadth of representation, and the unprecedented level of participation collectively reflect FPA’s growing influence and its unwavering commitment to advocating for policies that protect patient access, support pharmacists, and strengthen healthcare delivery across Florida.

Thank you to all members, students, faculty, legislators, and FPA staff who contributed to making the 2026 Legislative Days such a resounding success.

Ben Levene
Government Affairs Committee Chair
Florida Pharmacy Association

2026 Advocacy Agenda

2026  Legislative Session Goals

• Continuing education (CE) requirements for Immunizations
• Prior drug authorization rules
• Florida Pharmacy Standards of Care
• Payment for Service
• Medicare Program
• Audit Bill

COVID-19 Vaccine:

The Board of Pharmacy (BOP) convened to address questions surrounding whether pharmacists are authorized to administer the current formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine. During the discussion, it was clarified that under Rule 64B16-27.650, pharmacists are permitted to administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. In August 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the current formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not yet formally recommended this specific formulation.

According to the BOP, a pharmacist may administer the COVID-19 vaccine under three provisions as outlined in Rule 64B16-27.650: (1) through FDA approval, (2) under the Travel Medication requirement, or (3) under ACIP guidance. Importantly, the vaccine does not need to be CDC-recommended for a pharmacist to administer it.

Despite this clarification, considerable confusion persists among Florida pharmacists and pharmacies concerning whether pharmacists can proceed with administering this vaccine. The Florida Pharmacy Association (FPA) has received multiple inquiries from pharmacist members seeking guidance on this issue. Rule 64B16-27.650 specifically lists COVID-19 vaccines as eligible for administration by pharmacists, yet there is a perception that these vaccines must also meet CDC recommendation criteria.

For those interested in learning more, please listen to the recording of today’s BOP meeting, which contains valuable insights into this discussion. A link to the recording is provided below. Should you have additional questions, feel free to contact the FPA offices for further assistance.

https://ww10.doh.state.fl.us/pub/hcpr/Pharmacy/2025/September/

How You Can Help

• Stay Informed: Watch for FPA emails, newsletters, and social media posts with legislative updates.
• Engage Lawmakers: Reach out to your representatives, share personal stories, and highlight how these bills directly affect patients and pharmacy practice.
• Support FPA Advocacy: Your membership, donations, and grassroots efforts amplify our unified voice in Tallahassee.

Together, we can protect patient access, uphold quality care, and ensure pharmacists are fully recognized for the services they provide. Thank you for standing with the FPA this legislative session!

Get involved, make a difference and let your voice be heard by reaching out to your Representatives. Search for who they are and how to contact them right here.