Latest in AACP Advocacy

House Ways & Means Committee Advances Main Street Pharmacy Access Act

The House Ways and Means Committee recently advanced the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164)—legislation aimed at expanding access to pharmacist-provided services in states that already allow. The bill, formerly known as the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS), marks a significant step forward in enabling Medicare beneficiaries to receive pharmacist-provided testing and treatment for certain respiratory illness such as flu, strep, and RSV.

As highlighted during the committee markup, the legislation is designed to improve access to care for seniors, particularly in rural and underserved communities, by enabling pharmacists to provide and be reimbursed for select healthcare services within their scope of practice. Read Chairman Smith’s opening statement during the discussion. Lawmakers emphasized the importance of strengthening community-based care and addressing provider shortages, while also advancing policies focused on program integrity and cost-effectiveness. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, this development underscores continued momentum toward integrating pharmacists more fully into the healthcare delivery system. Read the all-member message for more information. The bill now awaits further consideration by the House Energy & Commerce Committee. AACP will continue to monitor legislative activity and advocate for policies that recognize the essential role of pharmacists in improving patient access and outcomes. 

AACP Submits Comments on ED AHEAD Proposed Rule 

On April 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education released the proposed rule, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability which includes a new earnings accountability framework for degree programs. On May 20, AACP submitted comments expressing support for the Department’s goals of improving transparency and ensuring value in higher education, while raising several concerns about how the proposed framework may impact pharmacy education.  

AACP emphasized that the proposed reliance on early post-graduation earnings may not fully capture the long-term value of Pharm.D. programs, particularly for graduates pursuing residencies, fellowships, or careers in public service, research, or underserved communities where initial salaries may be lower despite high societal impact. The association also raised concerns about how the framework could affect healthcare workforce pathways, noting that earnings-based metrics may disadvantage programs preparing graduates for critical but lower-compensated roles. In addition, AACP highlighted the need for transparent and reliable program-level data, with opportunities for institutions to review and correct information before consequences are applied, as well as the potential for increased administrative burden and unintended impacts on program viability, student access, and the pharmacy workforce pipeline. Read AACP’s full comment letter here. 

AACP Submits Input on NIH FY27–FY31 Strategic Priorities 

AACP recently submitted comments in response to the NIH Request for Information on the framework for its FY2027–FY2031 Strategic Plan, providing recommendations to help guide federal priorities for biomedical and behavioral research.  

AACP emphasized the importance of strengthening foundational biomedical and behavioral research, Priority 1, by supporting sustained investment in basic and translational science, advancing pharmacotherapy innovation, and ensuring that research reflects real-world patient needs and outcomes. Under Priority 2, which focuses on improving health and reducing disease burden, AACP highlighted the critical role of pharmacists in advancing population health, medication optimization, chronic disease management, and addressing health disparities, particularly in underserved and rural communities. For Priority 3, centered on scientific workforce development and infrastructure, AACP called for increased support to grow, diversify, and sustain the biomedical research workforce, including pharmacy researchers, while also strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, training pathways, and research capacity across academic institutions. Read AACP’s full response here.

AACP Announces Unite for Impact Challenge Winners 

AACP recently announced the winners of its inaugural Unite for Impact Challenge, a national initiative designed to foster collaboration and drive measurable change in community pharmacy practice. Read the full announcement here. 

Winning projects addressed key priorities, including policy engagement, workforce pipeline development, and scalable care delivery models, demonstrating how pharmacy education and practice can work together to improve outcomes and expand access to care. Several additional teams were also recognized for their contributions through honorable mentions. Winners will be recognized at Pharmacy Education 2026, and all participating teams will be featured in a multimedia library to share best practices and inspire continued innovation across community pharmacy. 

HHS Withdraws Proposed Changes to CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has withdrawn proposed changes to the charter governing the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a key body that develops national vaccine recommendations. The proposed revisions, released in April 2026, would have loosened eligibility requirements for committee membership, expanding the range of professional backgrounds beyond traditional expertise in vaccines, immunology, and public health. HHS formally withdrew the proposal in May, citing administrative and procedural errors related to federal notification requirements, leaving the existing charter in place.

For pharmacy education and practice, this development reinforces the importance of maintaining evidence-based, scientifically rigorous processes for vaccine evaluation and recommendations. Pharmacists play a critical role in immunization delivery and patient counseling, and rely on ACIP guidance to inform clinical practice, education, and public health efforts. While HHS may revisit updates to the committee in the future, the withdrawal preserves the current framework and signals continued stakeholder engagement around the role of scientific expertise in federal vaccine policy. 

AACP Supports Partners in FY27 Senate LHHS Outside Witness Testimony 

The Coalition for Health Funding and the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research submitted outside witness testimony to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee. Both statements emphasized the importance of robust investment in the NIH, highlighting the critical role sustained funding plays in advancing medical research. Read the CHF and Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research statements to learn more.  

Upcoming HRSA Funding Opportunity: Public Health Training Centers Program 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released a forecast for the Public Health Training Centers (PHTC) Program (HRSA-26-078), with an estimated $9.1 million in funding across approximately 10 awards.The program is designed to strengthen the public health workforce by supporting traineeships, continuing education, and professional development in partnership with state and local health departments, community-based providers, and other organizations.

Colleges and schools of pharmacy may find opportunities to expand workforce training, interdisciplinary partnerships, and community-based initiatives, particularly in areas related to population health, prevention, and public health preparedness. Learn more on Grants.gov.  

Apply to the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program, which offers up to $250,000 in student loan repayment for eligible clinicians and community health workers. In exchange, participants commit to six years of full-time service at an approved facility providing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services. Learn more and apply here. This program supports efforts to strengthen the SUD treatment workforce, creating opportunities for pharmacists to expand access to care in high-need communities.

HRSA will also host an application assistance webinar to help prospective applicants better understand the program and prepare their submissions. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 3 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom, and will provide an overview of eligibility, application requirements, and an opportunity to address participant questions. 

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an RFI titled “Drug Repurposing for Unmet Medical Needs”. This effort is part of a broader FDA initiative to accelerate treatment development by leveraging known safety and efficacy data, potentially reducing time and cost compared to traditional drug development pathways. The agency is particularly interested in submissions supported by existing clinical, observational, or preclinical data, including insights generated through emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Read the notice and submit comments to the agency by June 11, 2026. 
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

ED Releases Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Final Rule  

On May 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released its final rule on Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE), introducing significant changes to federal student lending and repayment policies that will directly impact graduate and professional education programs, including pharmacy. Read ED's press release.  

The final rule includes several major provisions aimed at restructuring how students finance advanced degrees:

White House Releases 2026 National Drug Control Strategy      

On May 4, 2026, the White House released the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy, outlining the Administration’s roadmap to address illicit drug use, overdose, and addiction through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.  

The strategy emphasizes a combination of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, with a strong focus on disrupting illicit drug trafficking while expanding access to care for individuals with substance use disorders. Key priorities include strengthening border and supply chain controls, enhancing drug detection technologies, expanding treatment access, and promoting prevention efforts aimed at youth and communities.  

For pharmacy education several aspects of the strategy are particularly relevant: 

• Expanded focus on prevention and early intervention
• Integration of addiction treatment into mainstream healthcare
• Overdose response and harm reduction tools
• Enhanced data, surveillance, and research
• Workforce and community-based initiatives

Taken together, the strategy reinforces the critical role of pharmacists across the continuum of substance use care, from prevention and education to treatment and recovery support. Read more about the strategy.  

NIH Spring–Summer 2026 NAC Meetings  

On May 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published its schedule of Spring–Summer 2026 National Advisory Council and Board (NAC) meetings across its institutes and centers. During the open sessions, viewers can hear updates from institute and center leadership, including remarks on research priorities, budget overviews, scientific highlights, and concept clearances for potential future funding opportunities. These sessions provide valuable insight into emerging research directions and NIH priorities relevant to pharmacy faculty and researchers.

NIH Institute and Center Directors will consider the input received on reviewed applications from their Advisory Councils, together with input outlined in the NIH Unified Funding Strategy, to help inform funding decisions. All meetings will be accessible via NIH videocast, offering an opportunity for AACP members to stay informed on developments that may shape future funding opportunities and research priorities. 

ARPA-H Launches AI-Driven “IGoR” Program to Accelerate Biomedical Research 

On May 5, 2026, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced the launch of the Intelligent Generator of Research (IGoR) program, a new initiative designed to dramatically accelerate biomedical discovery through an AI-enabled research ecosystem.  

According to ARPA-H, IGoR is intended to deliver “gold-standard” biomedical science up to ten times faster than traditional approaches by addressing longstanding inefficiencies in the research enterprise, including fragmented workflows, limited collaboration across disciplines, and challenges with reproducibility. IGoR reflects growing federal investment in AI-enabled biomedical innovation and research infrastructure, with the potential to significantly influence research practices, funding models, and collaboration across the health sciences.

Read the full announcement and learn more about the IGoR program.  

State of U.S. Science and Engineering Report Underscores Workforce and Research Trends 

New CBO Analysis Highlights Returns on Federal Research Funding

On May 1, 2026 the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a presentation outlining its framework for estimating the economic effects of federal investment in research and development (R&D). The presentation, Estimating the Economic Effects of Federal Investment in Research and Development, examines how nondefense R&D spending contributes to economic growth and federal budget projections. The analysis highlights how federal R&D investments generate “spillover effects,” influencing private-sector innovation and increasing overall research activity. 

McMahon Testifies on FY27 Education Budget Amid Debate Over Federal Role 

On April 28, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget request for the Department of Education. A recording of the hearing and Secretary McMahon’s testimony are available on the Senate Appropriations Committee website:

A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Education

The Administration’s proposal requests $76.5 billion for the Department of Education, representing a $2.3 billion decrease from FY26 levels. The budget reflects a continued emphasis on reducing the federal role in education and shifting authority to states and local leaders, a central theme of Secretary McMahon’s testimony. 

During the hearing, Secretary McMahon highlighted efforts to streamline federal programs, eliminate duplicative funding, and redirect resources toward workforce development and evidence-based initiatives. The proposal also continues broader structural changes underway within the Department, including transferring certain program responsibilities to other federal agencies. 

National Science Board  

On April 26, all 22 members of the National Science Board were fired. The Board advises Congress and the President on science and oversees NSF’s budget and policies. Although Board members weren’t provided a reason for the terminations, the White House claimed in an email to Inside Higher Ed that they had constitutional concerns about the Board. Observers are concerned about the independence and stability of NSF, which still doesn’t have a director and has been making fewer awards since Trump became president, according to grant witness. 

HRSA NHSC New Site Applications Open 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has opened applications for organizations seeking designation as National Health Service Corps (NHSC)–approved sites, allowing eligible facilities to recruit and retain clinicians through NHSC scholarship and loan repayment programs. While colleges and schools of pharmacy are typically not eligible as standalone NHSC sites, academic pharmacy can play a meaningful role in supporting these sites.  

NHSC site participation supports efforts to address health professional shortages while reinforcing the role of pharmacists in team‑based care. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, engagement with NHSC‑approved sites can enhance training opportunities, support workforce outcomes, and align academic missions with federal access‑to‑care priorities. The 2026 New Site Application Cycle is now open through May 19, 2026 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more about NHSC sites.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a notice requesting nominations to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). According to the notice, “to qualify for the USPSTF and support its mission, an applicant or nominee should possess expertise in reviewing scientific evidence related to the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services for the purpose of developing recommendations for the health care community, and updating previous clinical preventive recommendations for individuals and organizations delivering clinical services, including primary care professionals, health care systems, professional societies, employers, community organizations, non-profit organizations, Congress and other policy-makers, governmental public health agencies, health care quality organizations, and organizations developing national health objectives.” Read more about the nomination process and submit recommendations by May 23, 2026, to be considered for appointment starting June 2026. 
• The National Institutes invites comments and suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. AACP will be preparing a response to the RFI and welcomes input from members on what to include in its response. Please send your comments to Dorothy Farrell (dfarrell@aacp.org) or Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org). The framework articulates NIH’s Priorities in three key areas: (1) biomedical and behavioral science research; (2) scientific research capacity; and (3) scientific research operations. Read more about the goals for each priority here and the submit comments by May 26, 2026, via the submission website.  
• [NEW] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an RFI titled “Drug Repurposing for Unmet Medical Needs”. This effort is part of a broader FDA initiative to accelerate treatment development by leveraging known safety and efficacy data, potentially reducing time and cost compared to traditional drug development pathways. The agency is particularly interested in submissions supported by existing clinical, observational, or preclinical data, including insights generated through emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Read the notice and submit comments to the agency by June 11, 2026. 
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

AACP Launches New Advocacy Center 

AACP is proud to launch the new Advocacy Center, a comprehensive, member focused online hub designed to advance awareness, strengthen alliances, and drive action in support of pharmacy education and research. By centralizing resources, tracking engagement, and elevating opportunities to connect and act, the Center, with support from the AACP Strategic Engagement Committee, helps hold the Academy accountable to its advocacy priorities while empowering members to engage with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Read the all-member message to learn more.  

AACP and Partners Respond to ACIP Charter Changes     

On April 15, 2026, AACP joined the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and more than 130 organizations to express concerns over proposed changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Charter. Read AAP’s statement.

Furthermore, on April 17, 2026, AACP joined with other national pharmacy organizations and associations to release a statement on changes to the CDC ACIP Charter. The Notice of Charter Renewal, which was released on April 6, 2026, raises concerns regarding patient access to safe and effective vaccines. The pharmacy community came together to share their concerns and considerations for the proposed changes. Read the joint statement. 

HPNEC Statement on FY27 Appropriations 

For the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) cycle, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) required written public witness testimony to be submitted by Thursday, April 16, 2026.

In its FY27 testimony to the House Appropriations LHHS, Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) urges Congress to provide $1.59 billion for the Title VII and VIII health workforce programs, which play a critical role in supporting pharmacy education and training nationwide. The testimony raises significant concern about proposed reductions to HRSA health workforce programs in the Administration’s FY 2027 budget request and calls on appropriators to reject these cuts and maintain strong federal investment in Title VII and VIII. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, these programs are essential to expanding experiential learning opportunities, supporting faculty development, and strengthening the pipeline of pharmacists prepared to serve patients in rural, underserved, and high-need communities. Read HPNEC’s statement and FY27 HRSA Title VII and VIII Funding Chart.  

U.S. Senate Support FY27 Funding for National Institutes of Health 

On April 21, 2026, a group of 52 U.S. Senators urged Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to provide strong funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) appropriations process. The Dear Colleague letter (DCL) led by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), lawmakers called on Congress to “maintain a strong commitment” to NIH, underscoring the agency’s vital role in advancing medical innovation and improving public health. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, sustained NIH investment is essential to supporting research grants, training future scientists and pharmacist-researchers, and driving discoveries that translate into new therapies and improved patient care. The letter reinforces longstanding bipartisan recognition that robust NIH funding strengthens the nation’s research enterprise and supports academic institutions at the forefront of pharmaceutical and biomedical innovation. Read the DCL.  

Broad Coalition Urges Continued Investment in Public Health Data Modernization for FY27 

On April 21, 2026 a coalition of 78 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), submitted a final FY 2027 sign‑on letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging robust federal investment in Public Health Data Modernization (PHDM) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The updated letter, sent ahead of the Senate Appropriations deadline, reflects growing cross sector support for strengthening the nation’s public health data infrastructure and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

The letter calls on Congress to provide $340 million for CDC Public Health Data Modernization, along with $55 million for Response Ready Enterprise Data Integration (RREDI) and $100 million for the CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA). These investments support interoperable, secure, and timely public health data systems that enable disease surveillance, outbreak response, and chronic disease monitoring across state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments. Read the full letter.  

NAVREF and FOVA Call on Congress to Reconsider Proposed Cuts to VA Medical Research 

On April 23, 2026  the National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF), in partnership with the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA) coalition, released a press statement urging Congress to reconsider proposed FY 2027 funding cuts to VA Medical and Prosthetic Research. The coalition warned that reductions to VA research funding would jeopardize ongoing studies, strain the research workforce, and slow medical innovation that directly benefit veterans and the broader healthcare system. AACP, as a member of FOVA, supports the coalition’s FY 2027 budget recommendations, which call for sustained investment in VA medical research to preserve research capacity and ensure continued innovation in areas critical to veteran health and medication related outcomes. Read the statement and FOVA FY27 recommendations. 

HRSA NHSC New Site Applications Open 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has opened applications for organizations seeking designation as National Health Service Corps (NHSC)–approved sites, allowing eligible facilities to recruit and retain clinicians through NHSC scholarship and loan repayment programs. While colleges and schools of pharmacy are typically not eligible as standalone NHSC sites, academic pharmacy can play a meaningful role in supporting these sites.  

NHSC site participation supports efforts to address health professional shortages while reinforcing the role of pharmacists in team‑based care. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, engagement with NHSC‑approved sites can enhance training opportunities, support workforce outcomes, and align academic missions with federal access‑to‑care priorities. The 2026 New Site Application Cycle is now open through May 19, 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more about NHSC sites.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• [NEW] The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a notice requesting nominations to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). According to the notice, “to qualify for the USPSTF and support its mission, an applicant or nominee should possess expertise in reviewing scientific evidence related to the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services for the purpose of developing recommendations for the health care community, and updating previous clinical preventive recommendations for individuals and organizations delivering clinical services, including primary care professionals, health care systems, professional societies, employers, community organizations, non-profit organizations, Congress and other policy-makers, governmental public health agencies, health care quality organizations, and organizations developing national health objectives.” Read more about the nomination process and submit recommendations by May 23, 2026, to be considered for appointment starting June 2026. 
• The National Institutes invites comments and suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. AACP will be preparing a response to the RFI and welcomes input from members on what to include in its response. Please send your comments to Dorothy Farrell (dfarrell@aacp.org) or Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org). The framework articulates NIH’s Priorities in three key areas: (1) biomedical and behavioral science research; (2) scientific research capacity; and (3) scientific research operations. Read more about the goals for each priority here and the submit comments by May 26, 2026, via the submission website.  
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

Court Decision Permanently Blocks NIH Indirect Cost Cap 

On Jan. 6, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), affirming a lower court decision that blocked the policy. Litigation has concluded in a lawsuit challenging the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) attempt to impose a 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursement across all NIH grants. The U.S. Department of Justice has now declined to seek Supreme Court review, leaving the district court’s injunction in place permanently and ending the litigation.

AACP joined this case alongside the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, and the Greater New York Hospital Association to protect the ability of academic institutions to recover the full costs of conducting federally funded research. Indirect costs support critical research infrastructure, including laboratory operations, compliance activities, shared facilities, and administrative support that enable faculty, student pharmacists, and researchers to advance biomedical discovery.

This outcome is a significant victory for academic pharmacy, preserving colleges and schools capacity to sustain NIH-funded research programs, train future scientists and health professionals, and contribute to innovations that improve patient care. AACP will continue to advocate for federal research policies that recognize the real costs of conducting high‑quality research and ensure institutions remain strong partners in the national biomedical research enterprise. 

New National Research Confirms Strong ROI of Pharm.D. Degree    

New national research reinforces the strong long‑term economic value of a pharmacy education, finding that MD, JD, and Pharm.D. degrees deliver the highest lifetime returns among graduate credentials.

A recent study—Do Graduate Degrees Pay Off? Estimates from Texas Administrative Data—finds that pharmacy ranks among the top graduate degrees for lifetime earnings growth and return on investment. The analysis, which draws on comprehensive administrative data, shows that Pharm.D. graduates experience substantial long‑term financial gains, correcting recent media narratives that relied on incomplete or exclusionary datasets and significantly understated pharmacy salary outcomes.

AACP shared these findings directly with members to support advocacy, recruitment, and communications efforts and to provide evidence‑based context amid ongoing discussions about the health professions workforce and higher education value. Read the all-member message. 

White House Releases President’s FY27 Budget Request 

On April 3, 2026, the Administration released the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget request (PBR), outlining federal spending priorities that carry important implications for colleges and schools of pharmacy across education, research, workforce development, and public health. As Congress reviews the proposal, leaders in the biomedical and health research community are closely examining how the request aligns with national health needs and the future of the healthcare workforce.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) FY27 Budget in Brief emphasizes investments across public health preparedness, medical research, health equity, and workforce capacity. The budget brief underscores the Administration’s focus on advancing biomedical innovation, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and addressing chronic and emerging health threats through evidence-based approaches.

In response to the PBR, national research stakeholders have raised both support and concerns regarding funding levels for federally supported medical and scientific research. Read statements from the Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) and the AAMC-led Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research. 

Department of Education Launches AIM Negotiated Rulemaking 

On April 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) began Session 1 of negotiated rulemaking with the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Committee, marking the formal start of a multi‑session process that could shape future federal policy affecting higher education accreditation and innovation. The session is being held April 13–17, 2026, and is open to public observation.

Session 1 has been focused on setting up the foundation for the committee’s work, including reviewing the committee’s charge, establishing shared definitions and goals, and identifying key regulatory issues for further development. Planned discussion topics include accreditation oversight and recognition, opportunities to modernize regulatory frameworks to support innovation and evolving educational models, and balancing accountability with institutional flexibility.  

Changes emerging from this process could influence accreditation timelines, compliance requirements, and pathways for curricular and instructional innovation across pharmacy education.

Registration remains open to the public for those interested in observing the proceedings. AACP will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and engage to ensure the perspectives of academic pharmacy are reflected as discussions advance in future sessions. 

FASEB Federal Research Funding Data Updated 

On March 16, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) released updated Federal Funding Fact sheets for 2025  providing state‑by‑state data on federal investments in biomedical and life sciences research. Members are encouraged to review their state’s data and compare trends across previous years to better understand how federal research funding supports academic institutions and health sciences research locally. 

HRSA NHSC New Site Applications Open 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has opened applications for organizations seeking designation as National Health Service Corps (NHSC)–approved sites, allowing eligible facilities to recruit and retain clinicians through NHSC scholarship and loan repayment programs. While colleges and schools of pharmacy are typically not eligible as standalone NHSC sites, academic pharmacy can play a meaningful role in supporting these sites.  

NHSC site participation supports efforts to address health professional shortages while reinforcing the role of pharmacists in team‑based care. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, engagement with NHSC‑approved sites can enhance training opportunities, support workforce outcomes, and align academic missions with federal access‑to‑care priorities. Learn more about NHSC sites.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The Health Resources and Services Administration has released a request for information on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. According to the Federal Register notice, the RFI “seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and access to drugs for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.” The comment deadline has been extended to April 20, 2026.
• The National Institutes invites comments and suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. AACP will be preparing a response to the RFI and welcomes input from members on what to include in its response. Please send your comments to Dorothy Farrell (dfarrell@aacp.org) or Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org). The framework articulates NIH’s Priorities in three key areas: (1) biomedical and behavioral science research; (2) scientific research capacity; and (3) scientific research operations. Read more about the goals for each priority here and the submit comments by May 26, 2026, via the submission website.  
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

AACP Joins National Academy of Education Response to GSA on SAM.gov Registration    

AACP and The National Academy of Education (NAEd), together with 20+ other scholarly and professional societies representing more than 165,000 individual members and more than 170 colleges and universities, submitted a comment letter urging the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to withdraw proposed changes to the System for Award Management (SAM) certification requirements for applicants and recipients of federal financial assistance. The societies argue that the proposed amendments would impose new certification requirements on colleges, universities, research institutions, and other recipients of federal funds that are vague, overbroad, inconsistent with the Constitution and federal law, and contrary to well-documented research on the positive impact and national imperative of recognizing all promise and including all talent in education, research and science. Read NAEd’s press release. 

Register for the NIH Strategic Plan 2027–2031 Public Webinar   

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is developing its new NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027–2031 and is seeking input from the research community, stakeholders, and the public. The next webinar date is April 8, 2:30–3:30 PM ET. Visit the registration page to confirm your attendance.  NIH leadership will host two informational webinars to present the high-level framework for the new Strategic Plan and outline the process being used to develop it. Each session will include a live Q&A where participants can ask questions and provide feedback.  

AACP Joins the CDC Coalition and Friends of NCHS in FY27 Appropriation Support Letters  

On March 23, 2026, members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coalition and other supporting state, national and academic organizations urged Congress to include $11.581 billion for the CDC’s programs in the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

Furthermore, on March 27, 2026, AACP joined the Friends of The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in supporting the nation’s principal health statistical agency. Through its data collection and analysis, NCHS provides enormous value to researchers, policymakers, and the public. To support this essential work, AACP and other undersigned organizations requested an appropriation of $220 million for NCHS in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 to strengthen the center’s ability to provide accurate and timely health and vital records data to policymakers and reinforce its role as the world’s gold-standard producer of health statistics. 

NIH Updates 2026 Grants Policy Statement 

On March 25, 2026, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the publication of the updated 2026 NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS), which replaces the April 2024 NIHGPS as the standard terms and conditions of current and future awards. The updated NIHGPS became effective March 17, 2026. The NIH has also released a summary of significant changes,which includes federal policy updates to “references to diversity, equity, and inclusion plans,” the implementation of a unified funding strategy, and structural changes to the funding ecosystem. Find more information on the NIH Grants Policy Statement webpage. 

AACP Joins ASHP and other Pharmacy Organizations in Joint Letter to CMS on Plan Benefits and Parameters 2027 

On February 11, 2026, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their proposed rule containing provisions to improve implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. On March 13, 2026, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and pharmacy organizations came together to submit comments to ensure access to preventative health services including vaccines, without cost-sharing or medical management (e.g. prior authorization requirements). Read the full comment letter. 

Department of Education Shifting Student Loan Responsibilities to Treasury   

On March 26, 2026, the Education Department (ED) announced that it is moving some of its student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. The goal is for the Treasury Department to eventually help with non-defaulted federal student loans, according to the announcement. ED also announced its plans to relocate to 500 D Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 saving taxpayers approximately $2.8 million annually in operating costs, the announcement claims. Read the ED’s fact sheet to learn more about the plan to downsize their footprint in Washington, DC. 

House Appropriations LHHS Subcommittee Oversight Hearing of NIH 

On March 17, 2026, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) held an oversight hearing on the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Read the written testimony of NIH Director, Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. and watch the hearing to updates on a variety of topics, including the Administration’s delays in grant distribution, indirect costs, leadership vacancies and staff reductions, public trust in science, national security, and proposed reforms to the agency.  

White House Releases AI Framework 

On March 20, 2026 the White House released A National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI). The framework address six key objectives; (1) Protecting Children and Empowering Parents; (2) Safeguarding and Strengthening American Communities; (3) Respecting Intellectual Property Rights and Supporting Creators; (4) Preventing Censorship and Protecting Free Speech; (5) Enabling Innovation and Ensuring American AI Dominance; (6) Educating Americans and Developing and AI-Ready Workforce. Read the White House press release.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The Food and Drug Administration issued a RFI seeking public comment on potential new standards for in-home opioid disposal products. This effort is part of the agency’s broader work to combat the opioid crisis. The Agency is currently considering exercising its authority to require, through a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), that a drug be dispensed to certain patients with safe disposal packaging or a safe disposal system. The purpose of this notice is to seek public comment on what specifications would be necessary to show that in-home disposal systems may mitigate the serious risks of abuse or overdose involving these medications. The comment deadline ends April 6, 2026.
• [NEW] The National Institutes of Health issued a guide notice seeking public comment on a proposed clinical trial-specific application form for grant applications. The proposed form consolidates the existing Research Plan in clinical trial applications and the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Form which aims to improve the availability of information needed to review clinical trials. The NIH is requesting feedback from clinical trials investigators, peer reviewers, and others involved in the design, conduct, oversight, or review of NIH-supported clinical trials. Comments are due to the agency by April 16, 2026.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration has released a request for information on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. According to the Federal Register notice, the RFI “seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and access to drugs for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.” The comment deadline has been extended to April 20, 2026.
• The National Institutes invites comments and suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. AACP will be preparing a response to the RFI and welcomes input from members on what to include in its response. Please send your comments to Dorothy Farrell (dfarrell@aacp.org) or Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org). The framework articulates NIH’s Priorities in three key areas: (1) biomedical and behavioral science research; (2) scientific research capacity; and (3) scientific research operations. Read more about the goals for each priority here and the submit comments by May 26, 2026, via the submission website.  
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

Complete the Pharmacy-based Vaccine Services Pulse Survey  

AACP is reaching out on behalf of the pharmacy‑based vaccine access work group, composed of your national pharmacy organizations, to invite you to participate in an important survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather insights into vaccination practices since June 2025. Your experiences are essential in helping us understand current challenges and trends in your practice setting. The deadline to complete this survey is March 31st by 11:59 pm ET.  

Court Blocks HHS Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule 

On March 16, 2026, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking most of the vaccine recommendations and changes issued and approved by HHS via CDC and ACIP since May 2025, while the lawsuit moves forward. This means, changes to the CDC childhood vaccine schedules are on hold, new ACIP appointments are under further review, and any decisions voted on by new members are suspended. AACP continues to support the American Academy of Pediatrics and fellow national pharmacy organizations to monitor and respond to the rapidly evolving vaccine policy landscape. 

UMR Releases 2026 Annual Economic Report 

Commissioned by United for Medical Research (UMR), “NIH’s Role in Sustaining the U.S. Economy: Creating Jobs and Strengthening Local Economies” is an annual analysis of jobs and economic activity supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding distributed to all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. According to their latest report, published this month, NIH research funding supported 390,863 jobs and produced $94.15 billion in new economic activity nationwide in 2025.  For every $1 invested in NIH research, there was $2.57 generated in economic activity – a 250% return. Access the full report here and the toolkit to educate your community. 

Join the NIH Webinar on Fiscal Years 2027-2031 Strategic Plan

On March 16, 2026, the NIH released a request for information notice highlighting ”the purpose of the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan is to communicate how NIH will advance its mission to support research in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems, and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. The current NIH-Wide Strategic Plan, covering FY21-FY25, was submitted to Congress in July 2021. As part of implementing the 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255), NIH will update its Strategic Plan, no less than once every six years. The agency is currently developing the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for FY27-FY31 and anticipates releasing it early FY27.” Join the NIH webinar on April 8, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET, as they introduce the process for developing the next NIH-wide strategic plan. Review the RFI and Comment Opportunities section for additional information.  

AACP Joins Friends of NIAID in FY27 Appropriations Letter 

On March 9, 2026, AACP joined the American Society for Microbiology and other national and state organizations in requesting at least $7.15 billion for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and at least $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health overall for fiscal year (FY) 2027 representing an 8.7% increase over FY26 levels. Thanks to long-term and sustained support from Congress for NIAID over the years, the U.S. has achieved major victories over deadly, disabling, and costly diseases. Read the letter here. 

ORI Publishes Research Misconduct Final Rule  

On March 5, The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) released new guidance documents to support institutional compliance with the updated Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct (42 CFR Part 93), which took effect January 1, 2026. The newly released documents address three key areas of research misconduct: confidentiality, interviews, and subsequent use exceptions. Note: some of the newly released guidance cross-reference other guidance documents that have not yet been released. Users can expect these referenced guidance documents to be released in the near future. Visit the ORI Guidance Documents website for more information. 

FDA Announces Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS) Launch 

In September 2025, the FDA introduced the idea of consolidating the agency’s product-specific adverse event data systems into a single unified system to be known as the Adverse Event Monitoring System, or AEMS The agency’s product-specific systems include the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, or FAERS, for drugs, biological products, cosmetics and color additives; the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS; the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience, or MAUDE, database; the Adverse Event Reporting System, or AERS, for animal drugs and foods; and the Human Food Complaint System, or HFCS. The agency announced that it was moving ahead with the plan, renaming the FAERS system “AEMS.” The AEMS webpage now states that the system was “formerly” FAERS. Read the FDA’s press release for more information.  

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs Applications Open 

The NHSC is now accepting applications for loan repayment programs including the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Review the eligibility criteria and visit the Health Resources and Services Administration's comparison chart to find the right program for you. If you are a pharmacist working in an NHSC-approved site, you could receive up to $100,000 to pay off your student loans. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• [NEW] The Food and Drug Administration issued a RFI seeking public comment on potential new standards for in-home opioid disposal products. This effort is part of the agency’s broader work to combat the opioid crisis. The Agency is currently considering exercising its authority to require, through a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), that a drug be dispensed to certain patients with safe disposal packaging or a safe disposal system. The purpose of this notice is to seek public comment on what specifications would be necessary to show that in-home disposal systems may mitigate the serious risks of abuse or overdose involving these medications. The comment deadline ends April 6, 2026.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration has released a request for information on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. According to the Federal Register notice, the RFI “seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and access to drugs for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.” The comment deadline has been extended to April 20, 2026.
• [NEW] The National Institutes of Health invites comments and suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. The framework articulates NIH’s Priorities in three key areas: (1) biomedical and behavioral science research; (2) scientific research capacity; and (3) scientific research operations. Read more about the goals for each priority here and the submit comments by May 16, 2026, via the submission website.
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

FASHP Response to Reimagining and Improving Student Education Proposed Rulemaking 

AACP is proud to join our colleagues in supporting the FASHP response to the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed rulemaking, Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE). This rule is the next major step in implementing provisions of H.R.1., which overhauled several components of federal student loan programs, including new annual and lifetime borrowing limits for graduate and professional students, the phase‑out of the Graduate PLUS program, and the creation of new repayment structures.

The proposed rule interprets these H.R.1 requirements through new definitions of professional student and professional degree, which determine which programs qualify for higher borrowing limits. Many health professional organizations, which led to the formation of the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), whose efforts AACP has also supported, have raised concerns about the potential impact of overly narrow definitions on access to advanced health professions education during a time of persistent workforce shortages. 

Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research FY27 Recommendation Statement 

AACP joins the AAMC Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, and over 500+ organizations and institutions to sign a FY 2027 funding recommendation for the NIH. The recommendation “would allow the NIH’s base budget to keep pace with the biomedical research and development price index and allow meaningful growth of roughly 6%” according to the group’s webpage. Read more about the recommendation here. 

Statement of Support for American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule 

Last week, AACP joined the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and more than 200 organizations to support the AAP’s evidence‑based Child and Adolescent Immunization schedule, emphasizing a shared commitment to safeguarding children’s health and ensuring families continue to receive clear, science‑grounded immunization guidance. This broad coalition reflects the vital role immunization plays in preventing disease and protecting public health. AACP is proud to stand with the pediatric and public health communities in supporting the AAP’s recommendations and reinforcing the importance of reliable, research‑driven vaccination guidance for children and adolescents.

Access the 2026 AAP Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule 

AACP Joins Friends of AHRQ in FY27 Funding Request   

AACP joins 250+ organizations in signing the Friends of AHRQ FY27 appropriations letter, urging Congress to provide no less than $500 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in Fiscal Year 2027 and to ensure sufficient staffing to support its statutory work. The letter highlights AHRQ’s essential role in producing health services and primary care research that strengthens patient safety, improves care quality, expands access, and informs evidence‑based decision‑making across the healthcare system. This year’s effort marks a record‑breaking level of support: 259 signatories, including 75 new organizations, spanning researchers, providers, health systems, universities, patient groups, payers, and industry partners — a milestone noted by AcademyHealth, which leads the initiative. 

Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has postponed its previously scheduled February meeting and will now convene March 18–19, 2026 according to a new Federal Register notice. The February session was canceled with limited explanation, and no agenda for the March meeting has yet been released. As part of the federal public comment process, written comments must be submitted between March 2–12, 2026, and should be provided to ACIP members in advance of the meeting. The upcoming session will also be the first since the Department of Health and Human Services added two new members, Dr. Sean Downing and Dr. Angelina Farella, to the committee. 

Senators Request Department of Homeland Security Grant Health Care Sector Exemption for H-1B Visas 

Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security urging the creation of a health care sector exemption within the H‑1B visa program. The letter, sent on February 11, 2026, highlights growing concerns about the strain on the U.S. health care workforce, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and outlines how current visa requirements may unintentionally limit the country’s ability to recruit and retain qualified health professionals. This renewed attention to visa barriers comes at a time when health systems nationwide are struggling to meet growing patient demand and underscores the need for workforce policies that reflect real capacity constraints.  

House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Hearing on Advancing the Next Generation of America’s Health Care Workforce 

On February 24, 2026, U.S. House lawmakers held a hearing on “Advancing the Next Generation of America’s Health Care Workforce,” with lawmakers and experts examining the growing shortages across health professions and the federal policies that shape training pipelines. The discussion emphasized how training location strongly influences long‑term practice location and highlighted the importance of community‑based and interprofessional models to meet growing healthcare needs driven by chronic disease and demographic change. For colleges and schools of pharmacy, the hearing reinforces themes that directly shape the future of pharmacy education: the rising demand for team‑based care, the essential role pharmacists play in chronic disease management, and the ongoing need for high‑quality training opportunities in rural and community settings.  

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Pharmacists, and Rural Communities 

The American Society for Microbiology recently released Episode 2 of its series Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): From the Cradle to the Grave, focusing on rural communities. The discussion explored how pharmacists play a critical role in antimicrobial stewardship—supporting appropriate antibiotic use, guiding patient care, and helping reduce the spread of resistance, particularly in areas where healthcare access is limited. The episode also underscored the importance of ensuring pharmacists have access to the training, tools, and interdisciplinary support needed to address AMR in evolving practice settings.  

ASHP Resource on the Rebuild America’s Health Care Schools Act 

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ overview, many residency programs have faced recent uncertainty related to Medicare reimbursement requirements, which has resulted in funding inconsistencies for programs nationwide. This fact sheet provides national and state‑level data illustrating how these funding issues affect postgraduate training opportunities for pharmacists and other health professionals. This resource is provided solely for informational and educational purposes and summarizes how the proposed Rebuild America’s Health Care Schools Act seeks to address these administrative and reimbursement concerns within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs Applications Open 

The NHSC is now accepting applications for loan repayment programs including the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Laon Repayment Program and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Review the eligibility criteria and visit the Health Resources and Services Administration's comparison chart to find the right program for you. If you are a pharmacist working in an NHSC-approved site, you could receive up to $100,000 to pay off your student loans. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting public input on its proposal to establish harmonized and transparent policy requirements for protecting human participant research data. Specifically, NIH proposes (1) establishing policy requirements for which data should be controlled access under NIH data sharing policies, and (2) revising the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy to simplify and harmonize requirements. Comments must be submitted in writing by March 18, 2026.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration has released a request for information on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. According to the Federal Register notice, the RFI “seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and access to drugs for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.” The comment deadline has been extended to April 20, 2026.
• The Food and Drug Administration announced the following public workshop entitled “Fiscal Year 2026 Generic Drug Science and Research Initiatives Workshop.” The purpose of the public workshop is to provide an overview of the status of science and research initiatives for generic drugs and an opportunity for public input on these initiatives. The public workshop will be held on June 8 and 9, 2026. Either electronic or written comments on this public workshop must be submitted by July 10, 2026. 

Register Your Team for the Unite for Impact Challenge by Feb. 28 

If you are not already registered to participate, there is still time to collaborate with external partners and take bold ACT-ion together to advance community pharmacy practice while showcasing its critical value to the public through the Unite for Impact Challenge. Register your team before the February 28 deadline here.  For more information, visit the Challenge homepage. 

Senate HELP White Paper on Modernizing the Food and Drug Administration 

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) released a new report Tuesday detailing legislative and regulatory recommendations on how to “modernize” the Food and Drug Administration. The white paper, “Patients and Families First: Building the FDA of the Future” lists more than a dozen ways the FDA and Congress can change how the agency regulates and approves products and encourages medical research. Read the paper here. 

Foreign Research Partnerships with National Institutes of Health 

NIH has released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity formally initiating a pathway for NIH-funded international research collaborations that had previously been administered through foreign subawards. Applications will be accepted to many NIH Institutes and Centers beginning April 25, 2026. Public, state, and private institutions of higher education will be eligible to apply. For more information, contact the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA) operasystemspolicy@mail.nih.gov.  

Congress Blocks Changes to Reimbursement of Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs  

The signed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 included language blocking any changes to the current system to reimburse F&A costs, preserving federal funding. The Joint Associations Group (JAG), working to ensure federal support for research, issued a statement thanking Congress for preventing the action that would have ignored established negotiated rates for institutions and implemented a 15% cap on F&A for the NIH as well as the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense. 

Research!America National Survey Data Shows Americans Concerned about Disruptions to Research 

On February 10, 2026 a Research! America-commissioned survey released data revealing that nearly 7 in 10 Americans across the political spectrum say Congress should invest more taxpayer dollars to advance science and technology. Americans say medical progress should be among the top three of the nation’s priorities over the next 50 years. The online survey was conducted by Zogby Analytics on behalf of Research!America in early January 2026, among 1,007 adults plus additional adults for minority oversampling. Access the 2026 January National Survey Presentation here. 

Upcoming HRSA Grant Opportunities for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has posted forecasted grant opportunities for RCORP-Planning grants, with applications expected to open February 25, 2026, and close April 27, 2026, according to Grants.gov. RCORP-Impact grants are expected to open March 18, 2026, and close May 18, 2026. The RCORP assists rural communities in planning and implementation efforts to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with substance use disorder (SUD). RCORP is the only opioid prevention and treatment program exclusively targeted to rural populations, according to the National Rural Health Association, find their fact sheet here. 

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs Applications Open

The NHSC is now accepting applications for loan repayment programs including the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Laon Repayment Program and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Review the eligibility criteria and visit the Health Resources and Services Administration's comparison chart to find the right program for you. If you are a pharmacist working in an NHSC-approved site, you could receive up to $100,000 to pay off your student loans. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.  

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The HHS Office of the Deputy Secretary in collaboration with Office of the Deputy Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has published this RFI to seek broad public comment on what HHS can do to accelerate the adoption and use of AI as part of clinical care. In addition to the general requests for information regarding AI regulation, reimbursement, and research & development, HHS seeks input on specific questions found in the RFI. The comment period ends on February 23, 2026.
• The Department of Education invites comments on all the proposed regulations that will amend Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 to implement statutory changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) signed into law. The public is invited to submit comments on Reimagining and Improving Student Education by March 2, 2026. AACP is currently  working with the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions to submit a response and invites AACP members to reach out to Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org) by February 20, 2026 with your thoughts, comments, and responses for consideration.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting public input on its proposal to establish harmonized and transparent policy requirements for protecting human participant research data. Specifically, NIH proposes (1) establishing policy requirements for which data should be controlled access under NIH data sharing policies, and (2) revising the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy to simplify and harmonize requirements. Comments must be submitted in writing by March 18, 2026.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration has released a request for information on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. According to the Federal Register notice, the RFI “seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and access to drugs for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.” Comments are due to the department by March 19, 2026.

Statement from Pharmacy Partners on Violence in Minnesota  

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) released a joint statement on the violence in Minnesota and join the American Nurses Association in mourning the death of Alex Pretti. We offer resources to members of the healthcare community and the public who seek mental health and well-being assistance.  

119th Congress Passes FY 2026 Funding Package to End Partial Government Shutdown 

On February 3, the President signed a fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding package, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill which would provide $47.216 billion for the NIH base budget representing a $415 million (0.9%) increase, relative to the total for the agency in FY 2025.

AACP was included in original House Report 119-271 language addressing workforce shortages - “The Committee encourages BLS to collaborate with HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the American Pharmacists Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to publicly issue a report on the changes necessary for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes to accurately account for the complete pharmacist labor force and workforce projections.”

The Senate Report 119-55 also supports “expansion of the physician, nursing, and pharmacy workforce to meet the growing health needs of our population. The Committee encourages HRSA to consider ways to expand these efforts and directs HRSA to include in the fiscal year 2027 Congressional Justification information on steps the agency is taking to address health professions shortages, including efforts to ensure the State Loan Repayment Program is supporting all healthcare profession.”  

Other relevant provisions included in the FY26 funding package include:  

$79 billion to Department of Education 
$1.4 billion for health workforce training at HRSA  
$130 million for National Health Service Corps and loan repayment 

Together, this progress underscores AACP’s support for Congress’s passage of the Labor-HHS bill and reinforces our ongoing advocacy for robust federal investments that strengthen pharmacy education, expand the pharmacy workforce, and sustain research essential to improving patient and population health. 

Pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group Public Statement 

Last week, AACP joined 13 national pharmacy organizations in releasing a joint statement emphasizing the important role pharmacists play in helping the public navigate vaccine recommendations. With new vaccine guidance and increased respiratory viruses circulating, many people may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about what immunizations are needed. Pharmacies remain one of the most accessible and trusted locations for vaccine information and services. As educators and leaders in the profession, AACP supports this unified messaging and encourages the public to talk to their pharmacist to strengthen confidence in vaccines and protect their families.  

Department of Education (ED) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking Committee  

The ED Secretary proposes implementing the amendments made to the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 relating to the Federal student loan programs made by H.R.1 through these regulations. The proposed regulations “would revise the Direct Loan Program under 34 CFR part 685 by amending annual and aggregate loan limits for graduate, professional, and parent loan borrowers. The proposed regulations would also implement two new streamlined student loan repayment plans for new borrowers, the ‘Repayment Assistance Plan’ and the ‘Tiered Standard repayment plan. The proposed regulations also make conforming amendments to current regulations on consolidation, deferment, forbearance, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). The proposed regulations also provide borrowers in default a second opportunity to rehabilitate their loans and resume repayment, even if they previously rehabilitated a defaulted loan.”  

Furthermore, ED retains its negotiated rulemaking committee consensus definition of professional programs, "We also propose that a professional degree only includes degrees in the following fields: Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.), Law (L.L.B. or J.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.), Theology (M.Div., or M.H.L.), and Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.)" Read the entire proposed rule here. The public is invited to submit comments on Reimagining and Improving Student Education by March 2, 2026.

ED has also announced on January 27, its intent to establish the Accreditation, Innovation and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee and is now accepting nominations for the committee. The committee will prepare proposed regulations for the Secretary's recognition of accrediting agencies and related institutional eligibility regulations for programs under title IV of the HEA. For more information on the constituency groups for negotiator nominations please refer to the notice and submit nominations by February 26, 2026.  

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs Applications Open

The NHSC is now accepting applications for loan repayment programs including the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Laon Repayment Program and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Review the eligibility criteria and visit the Health Resources and Services Administration's comparison chart to find the right program for you. If you are a pharmacist working in an NHSC-approved site, you could receive up to $100,000 to pay off your student loans. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.  

Register for the Unite for Impact: Challenge Check-In

On Thursday, February 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET this virtual check-in is designed to help teams stay on track, ask questions, and learn from one another as you continue developing your Challenge projects. You don’t need to be registered for the Challenge to attend this meeting and learn more. Register for the webinar. If you’re not already registered to participate, there is still time to collaborate with external partners and take bold ACT-ion together to advance community pharmacy practice while showcasing its critical value to the public. Register your team before the February 28 deadline. Register your team now. For more information, visit the Challenge homepage. 

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The public comment period for the 5th revision of the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework is now open. The Curriculum Framework is used nationally to guide prevention and population health education, and this revision incorporates significant updates informed by lessons learned during the COVID-19 global pandemic and represents the efforts of the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force, experts from the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, and dedicated faculty from across the health professions, including AACP members. The public is invited to review and provide feedback. You can find the draft and comment submission here. The comment period is open until February 16, 2026.
• The HHS Office of the Deputy Secretary in collaboration with Office of the Deputy Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has published this RFI to seek broad public comment on what HHS can do to accelerate the adoption and use of AI as part of clinical care. In addition to the general requests for information regarding AI regulation, reimbursement, and research & development, HHS seeks input on specific questions found in the RFI. The comment period ends on February 23, 2026.
• The Department of Education invites comments on all the proposed regulations that will amend Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 to implement statutory changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) signed into law. The public is invited to submit comments on Reimagining and Improving Student Education by March 2, 2026. AACP is currently  working with the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions to submit a response and invites AACP members to reach out to Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org) by February 18, 2026 with your thoughts, comments, and responses for consideration.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting public input on its proposal to establish harmonized and transparent policy requirements for protecting human participant research data. Specifically, NIH proposes (1) establishing policy requirements for which data should be controlled access under NIH data sharing policies, and (2) revising the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy to simplify and harmonize requirements. Comments must be submitted in writing by March 18, 2026. 

Register Teams for the Unite for Impact: A National Collaborative Challenge by February 28 

Teams of faculty, learners, pharmacists, and partners are invited to design bold initiatives that advance community pharmacy practice. Grand prize teams will receive national recognition, including a featured presentation at the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting, multimedia support, and opportunities to share their work. Save the date: February 19, for the Challenge Check-In, registration link forthcoming. Final submissions are due April 6, 2026. 

Congressional Agreement on FY 2026 Health Funding 

On January 19, lawmakers released their FY 2026 four-bill minibus package, which includes the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. The bill includes extensions of several key health programs and would provide $47.216 billion for the NIH base budget, which indicates a 0.9% increase in funding ($415 million) compared to the agency’s FY 2025 funding. The bill also allocates $4.1 billion for CMS program operations — a $195 million increase. The House and Senate will now focus on passing the budget prior to the January 30 funding deadline. Read the Coalition for Health Funding’s statement here.

The package includes approximately $888 million for the HRSA Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, representing a 0.3% increase in overall funding to the programs compared to FY 2025 enacted levels. Meanwhile, the bill would cut the Centers of Excellence program by $3 million, and the Health Careers Opportunity Program by $1 million. Provisions in the Labor-HHS-Education health package would reauthorize the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Community Health Centers through December 31, 2026. Find the bill summary here and Research!America’s preliminary analysis here.  

AACP joins AAP and 200+ Organizations in Congressional Request for Oversight of Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes 

AACP has formally signed on to bipartisan congressional letters with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other healthcare organizations urging swift and robust oversight of the abrupt changes announced on January 5, 2026 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. These letters, which will be sent to Congress today, call for greater transparency and accountability regarding the process and scientific rationale behind these significant policy shifts. 

SAMHSA Grant Cancellations Reversal 

On January 13, the Trump administration terminated over 2,000 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. Shortly before the administration reversed this decision on January 14, the Coalition for Health Funding released their statement calling on SAMHSA to immediately restore funding for vital mental health and substance abuse grants. AACP continues to advocate for increased continuing education programs that address practitioner needs in the areas of addiction, substance abuse and recovery.  

NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) Summer Science Policy Internship 

The OSP Summer Internship Program provides an opportunity for two (2) undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional students to gain tangible science policy experience in support of the NIH mission. Interns will work side-by-side with leading policy experts to learn strategies for advancing national science and technology policy and obtain practical experience in policy analyses and development. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 27. 

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Council of Councils will meet January 29 to discuss a proposed reorganization of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) within the Office of the Director. The DPCPSI is seeking public comments on the reorganization, which would establish an Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA) and an Office of Research, Economics, Planning, and Analysis (OREPA). Written comments should be emailed to the DPCPSI by January 26, 2026.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting public input on its proposal to establish harmonized and transparent policy requirements for protecting human participant research data. Specifically, NIH proposes (1) establishing policy requirements for which data should be controlled access under NIH data sharing policies, and (2) revising the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy to simplify and harmonize requirements. Comments must be submitted in writing by March 18, 2026. 

The Latest in AACP Advocacy Webpage

Staying informed is essential to effective advocacy. To make it easier for members to access additional updates, AACP has launched a new webpage, The Latest in AACP Advocacy, another resource hub for extended advocacy content and legislative developments affecting pharmacy education updated bi-weekly. This page highlights AACP’s ongoing advocacy efforts and key policy issues impacting pharmacy educators, researchers, students, and institutions. Visit The Latest in AACP Advocacy webpage today, bookmark it, and stay tuned!

District Court Ruling: NIH Cap on Indirect Costs Was Unlawful

On January 5, 2026, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal district court ruling that the NIH’s attempted implementation of a 15% cap on reimbursement for facilities and administrative (F&A, or “indirect”) costs on research grants was unlawful. The case, filed in the District Court for the District of Massachusetts, includes three suits filed on Feb. 10, 2025, including one led by AAMC and supported by AACP. The First Circuit unanimously affirmed the ruling by U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley last year that the changes to the process for assessing indirect rates with no notice to awardees violated both requirements for notice under the Administrative Procedures Act and specific congressional language prohibiting the change.  

AACP Responds to White House OSTP RFI 

On December 26, 2025, AACP responded to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) request for information on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise, emphasizing the impact colleges and schools of pharmacy have on biomedical research, innovation ecosystems, and workforce preparedness.  

Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a fourth extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2026. The temporary rule allows continued remote prescribing of controlled substances without prior in-person evaluation. This supports patient access and gives colleges and schools of pharmacy a continued mandate to train students in telehealth, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. For more details, review the regulation here.  

Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program New Resources

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released resources highlighting key themes and goals for each approved state project along with their abstracts. Pharmacy is well represented in many of the project proposals that have been approved for funding. Check out your state's program and spotlight initiatives to learn more.

Tracking CDC and SAMHSA Grant Recissions  

The Coalition for Health Funding has put together a tracker of state-specific impact on HHS' announcement to rescind $12 billion in grants from CDC and SAMHSA. Additionally, you can find a list of resources here. Both of these are living documents and will be updated as more information is made available.

Thank You for Advancing Our Advocacy—Together! 

Over the past year, your commitment to advocacy has strengthened the voice of academic pharmacy and reaffirmed the essential role our institutions play in education, research, and patient care. Whether you engaged by responding to action alerts, sharing expertise, hosting policymakers, or mentoring future advocates, your efforts have made a meaningful difference. 

Together, we achieved significant milestones, including responses to urgent issues from NIH research funding to vaccine policy, inclusion in the House Appropriations Committee FY26 Labor Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill, submitting a congressional letter on the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act engaging 90+ member institutions, and providing member input to federal requests for information. Members also helped elevate the importance of financing pharmacy education through the Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs campaign, generating 1,300+ letters to Congress. 

We are especially grateful to our advocates who stepped forward to share stories from their campuses and communities. Your willingness to connect real-world experiences with policy conversations helped decision-makers better understand the value of investing in pharmacy education and the pharmacy workforce. Thank you for standing with us and for continuing to advance our shared mission through advocacy. 

Complete the Advocacy Champions Engagement Survey  

AACP’s Advocacy Champions play a critical role in shaping the national conversation around pharmacy education, research, and practice. As we expand this program, we want to ensure that every Champion—current and future—has the tools, confidence, and support needed to lead impactful advocacy efforts. We invite you to complete a short survey to share your perspectives, areas of expertise, and ideas for strengthening our advocacy network. Whether you’re an experienced Advocacy Champion or considering joining the network, your input will directly influence the competencies, resources, and engagement opportunities we develop for 2026 and beyond. Share your feedback and expertise in the Advocacy Champions Engagement Survey by December 31st.  

Submit an Advocacy Activity 

Earlier this year, the AACP Strategic Engagement Committee released the updated Advocacy Guide for Pharmacy Practice and Education and the new AACP Advocacy Activities Catalog. Check out the catalog for inspiration for your next advocacy activity! Have an advocacy activity you'd like to include in the catalog? Submit your activity here. 

RFI: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 

The White House OSTP released a request for information (RFI) on November 26, "Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise," which asks specific questions related to public-private partnerships; optimizing technology transfer and translation of scientific discoveries into application; support for regional innovation ecosystems; improving grantmaking; enabling more high-risk, high-reward research; prepare for potentially transformative uses of AI in scientific research; reducing regulatory burdens on research; and addressing the STEM workforce and career and training pathways. AACP is currently developing a response to the RFI, and we invite AACP members to reach out to Dorothy Farrell (dfarrell@aacp.org) or Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org) with your thoughts or comments for inclusion in AACP’s response or with information regarding responses being submitted by member institutions. 

Financing Higher Education 

On December 8-12, 2025, Department of Education (ED) convened its Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking committee. Much of this session focused on implementing Workforce Pell Grant provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including developing a new regulatory framework, new program eligibility and disbursement of funds. Negotiators reached consensus on seven topics related to creating a new Workforce Pell program. The next AHEAD session is scheduled for January 5-9, 2026, to which negotiators will discuss accountability, gainful employment, and financial value transparency rules. For additional information, review the ED’s FAQs. 

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) FY26 Community Letter 

AACP joins community letter led by Research!America on ARPA-H urging Congress to provide at least $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) in a manner that supplements, rather than supplants, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health-related agencies within the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill. Read the full letter here. 

• FY26 Funding for HRSA Workforce Programs: On Nov. 5, AACP joined the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition in urging legislators to finalize the FY 2026 Labor-HHS bill with robust funding for HRSA Title VII and Title VIII workforce development programs.
• Rural Health Transformation Program: On Nov. 5, CMS announced all 50 states submitted applications for the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Approved states will be announced by Dec. 31, with funding beginning in FY26.
• Financing Higher Education: On Nov. 6, the U.S. Department of Education’s RISE Negotiated Rulemaking Committee reached consensus on regulatory proposals under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” with the Pharm.D. degree remaining designated as a professional degree. The package addresses borrowing limits and repayment plans, with ED now developing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment.
• Reforming Financial Transparency in Higher Education: On Nov. 6, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on improving college cost transparency, discussing bipartisan legislation including the College Transparency Act. Committee members and experts agreed that efforts to make student financial aid more accessible and transparent are critical in reforming higher education. On Dec. 8, the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking will begin.
• Pharmacists Providing Chronic Care: On Nov. 10, AACP responded to Senators Grassley and Luján's request for information on pharmacists' role in chronic care, particularly in rural and underserved communities. AACP highlighted their ability to align education, experiential training, continuing education, and evaluation with Medicare’s chronic care priorities, while convening members to standardize competencies, share outcomes, and expand partnerships with Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
• Government Shutdown Ends: On Nov. 12, the House voted 222-209 to reopen the government, ending the 43-day shutdown with a compromise package. Most departments will be funded at FY 2025 levels through January 30, 2026, while Congress continues work on remaining FY26 appropriations bills.
• IPEDS Reporting Requirements: On Nov. 12, a notice clarified that only four-year institutions must submit six years of application and admissions data disaggregated by race and sex for the 2025-26 IPEDS reporting cycle. Open-enrollment institutions awarding aid solely on financial need are exempt. AACP joined other higher education associations in submitting comments to NCES in October.
• Funding Opportunities: On Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Education published a notice for $167 million in grants supporting AI in higher education, civil discourse, accreditation reform, and short-term program capacity-building, with applications due December 3, 2025.

• Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee Session II
  • The U.S. Department of Education is hosting another five-day negotiated rulemaking session from Nov. 3-7, 2025.This rulemaking is necessary to implement recent statutory changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For more information, review the Department of Education’s FAQs.
  • AACP joins a coalition of providers and programs in a letter to U.S. Department of Education Federal negotiator, Tamy Abernathy and RISE Committee members with recommendations for implementing student financial aid provisions from OBBBA. The letter requested that the committee better define professional degrees consistently and inclusively.
• The Pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group, consisting of representatives from a diverse group of 12 organizations across pharmacy practice settings, jointly published guiding principles for state policy on pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines. The core principles proposed in this document aim to address ambiguity in state policymaking regarding pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines, ultimately improving access to essential vaccinations for all Americans and providing guidance for structuring payment for pharmacist-provided services.
• The Common Health Coalition has developed an educational resource, that outlines how pharmacists and other clinicians can approach individualized vaccine recommendations—especially for COVID-19, flu, and RSV—using real-world conversation scripts and evidence-based communication strategies. The Shared Clinical Decision-Making (SCDM) Guide on Respiratory Vaccines for Clinicians may be used to aid classroom discussions or clinical training to strengthen communication confidence and understanding the evolving immunization landscape.
• FASHP has submitted a letter to Secretary Noem requesting that the Department of Homeland Security exempt the health profession education workforce from the new fee requirement for H1-B visas. FASHP members expressed their concerns about the harmful effect this fee requirement would have on health care professionals' access to patient care and educational programs.
• The CDC Coalition and other state, national, and academic organizations has expressed their opposition to House leadership in response to the $1.77+ billion cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed in the House FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations. The letter highlights how the bill would eliminate or drastically reduce funding for many CDC programs. Read more here. 

• The Pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group, consisting of representatives from a diverse group of 12 organizations across pharmacy practice settings, jointly published Guiding Principles for State Policy on Pharmacy Personnel–Administered Vaccines. The core principles proposed in this document aim to address ambiguity in state policymaking regarding pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines, ultimately improving access to essential vaccinations for all Americans and providing guidance for structuring payment for pharmacist-provided services.
• Read the Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) statement on HHS reductions in force (RIF). The statement highlights that it is time for Congress to come together and pass full-year appropriations bills with robust HHS funding, including for the agencies and programs impacted in early October, to advance public health and improve the lives of all Americans.
• AACP joins other FASHP members in a comment letter on the National Center for Education Statistics for the proposed addition of an Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The letter offers recommendations to ensure feasibility, data quality, and protection of student privacy across graduate and professional programs. 

• Following the recent federal government shutdown, AACP distributed an all-member communication detailing key agency contingency plans relevant to pharmacy education and research. The message outlined expected impacts on federal funding, grant processing, and student financial aid operations. For more context and analysis read press releases from Research!America and Coalition for Health Funding. If your institution is experiencing disruption due to the shutdown, please reach out to AACP staff to inform our advocacy efforts.  
• AACP joins FASHP letter to federal negotiators citing the regulatory framework for loan repayment programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) may not adequately reflect the realities of the health professions workforce. As the Department of Education finalizes regulatory language, the group urges the ED to ensure that the health professions workforce is considered a single, integrated workforce when determining loan eligibility criteria. FASHP members are actively monitoring and engaging with the ED’s Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025.  
• AACP submits comment letter on Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdraw this proposed rule. AACP addressed academic mobility concerns, administrative burdens, and implementation challenges based on member input.  
• AACP joins pharmacy organizations in letter to Secretary Noem urging DHS to issue guidance that determines that H-1B pharmacists’ entry into the U.S. is in the national interest of the country, exempting them from the Proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” The U.S. health care system relies on pharmacists from other countries to ensure safe, effective, and accessible medication use.  
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) released their Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Funding. This program was created to empower states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving access to quality health care outcomes by transforming the health care delivery system. We encourage you to explore how pharmacists, student pharmacists, and state pharmacy associations can lead and support your state's application. Applications are due November 5, and funding allocations will be decided by Dec. 31, 2025. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has developed talking points to aid in your outreach.  

• In response to recent misinformation regarding pharmacist training, 94 deans of colleges and schools of pharmacy sign on to letter supporting ECAPS. The letter urges swift action to protect America’s seniors and preserve access to essential pharmacist provided care by passing H.R. 3164/S.2426 the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS) into law.
• AACP supports the Common Health Coalition in statement supporting vaccine recommendations from leading medical societies. The Common Health Coalition strongly supports the science-based respiratory vaccine recommendations set forth by national medical societies, including those recently published by AAFP, AAP and ACOG.
• AACP joins over 150+ organizations in community letter to appropriators expressing support for the work of the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs (JAG), thanking appropriators for including language in some of the spending bills and reports to date, and urging that they strengthen language in the final spending bills supporting the JAG work and prohibiting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from instituting arbitrary caps on federal support for research costs. For more information check out the FAIR model talking points and FAQs.
• AACP joins other pharmacy organizations in request to DEA to update the registration process for pharmacists to reflect state law. The letter seeks to update the DEA’s online registration process and the Mid-Level Practitioners Authorization by State to reflect recent changes in state laws and regulations that explicitly grant pharmacists prescriptive authority for controlled substances. Read the DEA’s response here.  
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Funding. This program was created to empower states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving access to quality health care outcomes by transforming the health care delivery system. We encourage you to explore how pharmacists can lead and support your state's application. Applications are due in early November, and funding allocations will be decided by Dec. 31, 2025. More information and guidance will be shared by national pharmacy organizations.
• Medical Research Month is the time to share your groundbreaking NIH-supported medical research! In keeping with the daily activations across Medical Research Month, the Ad Hoc Group encourages coalition members to share examples of NIH-supported research across social media channels. Please see below suggested language and visit the Ad Hoc Group’s Medical Research Month website that includes information on key dates, events, and a toolkit with suggested social media activations. 

• AACP was included in House Appropriations Committee FY26 Labor Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill. The bill states that “the Committee encourages Bureau of Labor Statistics to collaborate with HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the American Pharmacists Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to publicly issue a report on the changes necessary for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes to accurately account for the complete pharmacist labor force and workforce projections.” Read the full report here.  
• AACP joins other pharmacy organizations to promote inclusion of payment for pharmacist services within states’ upcoming applications for Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Read an example state letter to Gov. Gordon (WY). CMS published new information indicating states can apply for funding from mid-September through early November.  
• Read the Coalition for Health Funding statement and the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research statement on House Appropriations Subcommittee FY 2026 Labor-HHS-Education Bill.  
• Medical Research Month is the time to share your groundbreaking NIH-supported medical research! In keeping with the daily activations across Medical Research Month, the Ad Hoc Group encourages coalition members to share examples of NIH-supported research across social media channels. Please see below suggested language and visit the Ad Hoc Group’s Medical Research Month website that includes information on key dates, events, and a toolkit with suggested social media activations. 

• AACP supports the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition in Title VII and VIII letter urging the consideration and advancement of legislative proposals to reauthorize the HRSA Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, which are set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2025.
• AACP joins coalition of providers and programs in community comment letter providing advice and recommendations to the Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee as they begin their work on the negotiated rulemaking to implement the student financial aid provisions.  
• Check out a recent panel discussion hosted by the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) on H.R.1 and the recent Department of Education (DOE) developments. The panel discusses budget bill implications for student loan borrowers, DOE restructuring, advising gaps and other areas of concern for health profession advisors.
• Join advocates from around the country for the 2025 Rally for Medical Research! Capitol Hill visits will take place on Thursday, September 18, with advocates meeting their congressional representatives and their staff. The evening before, on September 17, the Rally for Medical Research will host a reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate medical research with all partners and participants. Register today!
• As a member of Research!America, AACP invites you to join the 2025 August Advocacy Challenge. Connect with your members of Congress and earn points for your actions!  To track what actions you’ve completed, download a copy of this scorecard.The deadline to submit your scorecards is Tuesday, Sept. 2.   

• The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the FY 2026 Labor-HHS appropriations bill in a vote of 26-3 in a July 31 markup. AACP Joined 580+ organizations in a community letter to U.S. House of Representatives leadership also ensure FY26 appropriations continue to fill vital program needs. Read the Coalition for Health Funding press release here.  
• Join advocates from around the country for the 2025 Rally for Medical Research! Capitol Hill visits will take place on Thursday, September 18, with advocates meeting their congressional representatives and their staff. The evening before, on September 17, the Rally for Medical Research will host a reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate medical research with all partners and participants. Register today!
• As a member of Research!America, AACP invites you to join the 2025 August Advocacy Challenge. Connect with your members of Congress and earn points for your actions!  To track what actions you’ve completed, download a copy of this scorecard.The deadline to submit your scorecards is Tuesday, Sept. 2.   
• The AACP Strategic Engagement Committee has recently released the updated Advocacy Guide for Pharmacy Practice and Education and the new AACP Advocacy Activities Catalog. The updated guide equips students, faculty, and pharmacists with tools to effectively engage policymakers and promote the value of pharmacy education.  Check out the catalog for inspiration for your next advocacy activity. Have an advocacy activity you'd like to include in the catalog? Submit your activity here.  

• The AACP Strategic Engagement Committee has released the updated Advocacy Guide for Pharmacy Practice and Education and the new AACP Advocacy Activities Catalog. The updated guide equips students, faculty, and pharmacists with tools to effectively engage policymakers and promote the value of pharmacy education.  Check out the catalog for inspiration for your next advocacy activity. Have an advocacy activity you'd like to include in the catalog? Submit your activity here.  
• AACP along with other pharmacy organizations extend congratulations to the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Susan Monarez, PhD. On behalf of the profession the group requested a meeting to discuss collaborations that improve our nation’s public health utilizing available evidence-based science and expertise of our constituents. Read the letter here.  
• The pharmacy community received a response from Kaiser Permanente regarding maintaining access to immunizations without patient cost-sharing. They have indicated that they will continue to have no-cost coverage for flu, COVID, and RSV. Read their response letter here. AACP will continue to work with other pharmacy organizations to educate on the importance of vaccine access.  
• AACP joins Friends of AHRQ in a community letter to protect the integrity of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The group urges Congress to protect and preserve the USPSTF’s current structure and operations to ensure that everyone continues to benefit from trusted, evidence-based preventive care. 

• President Trump signed H.R. 1 also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law on July 4, 2025. Some of the final higher education provisions include:  
  • Replacing the Grad PLUS loan program with new unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan limits for graduate students of $20,500 per year and $100,000 in aggregate. The annual loan limit will be $50,000 per year, and the aggregate loan limit will be $200,000 for professional school students.  
  • Repealing the SAVE repayment plan and replacing the existing repayment plans with only two repayment plans for new loans. The Standard Repayment plan and an income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
  • Rejecting institutional "risk sharing" initially proposed by the House and replacing it with a provision that measures programmatic performance based on earnings four years after program completion.  
• This week, AACP joined the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations in sending letters to some of the nation’s largest health insurers (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, AHIP, United Healthcare, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and Cigna) and their trade association requesting that insurers maintain existing coverage for vaccines without increases or changes to patient cost-sharing. 

• AACP is deeply concerned about the recent changes to ACIP. Recent modifications to structure and membership raise serious questions about the committee’s continued ability to function independently, uphold scientific integrity, and provide accurate, up-to-date recommendations that reflect the consensus of the medical and scientific communities. Read AACP’s press release and comments to the CDC for more details.
• AACP alongside national and state organizations representing patients, healthcare providers, and health professions education programs in community letter reaffirming deep concerns of higher education provisions in Senate reconciliation bill text.  The letter seeks to preserve subsidized loans for undergraduates, retain the Grad PLUS program, and increase proposed aggregate limits for unsubsidized federal loans. Congress continues to plan towards a July 4 deadline.
  • Action Alert: On June 10, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee released reconciliation recommendations that would eliminate Grad PLUS loans and set a $50,000 annual unsubsidized loan limit and a $200,000 total cap for professional degrees. Join the advocacy campaign to voice your concerns with this proposal: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs
• AACP submits FY 2026 Outside Witness Testimony to the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. The statement explains how federal investments into HHS ensure that pharmacy education continues to meet the nation’s evolving health needs. Read examples of member institutions using these investments to advance the healthcare system here.
• AACP joins 100+ groups in an NIH community letter to raise awareness of inaccessible previously appropriated federal funding, HHS restructuring concerns, and the President’s FY26 budget. If the budget is enacted and the administration's plan to use multi-year funding to immediately draw down appropriations, NIH may not be able to issue any new awards in FY26 beyond what is strictly required in statute. Read the letter here. 

• AACP joins letter Research!America (R!A) and 500 organizations in urging Congress to reject the proposed 38% cut to the NIH budget included in the president’s FY26 budget request. The letter calls for a bold NIH investment and a deliberative, public process before structural changes are made to the agency. Read statements from R!A, Coalition for Health Funding, and HPNEC on FY26.
• AACP joins the Data: Elemental to Health’s campaign letter urging Congress to provide sustained funding in FY26.  Read more about the ongoing effort to invest in public health data systems here.  
• The US House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1 which includes terminating the Grad PLUS Loan Program and cap federal loans at $200,000 per borrower ($50,000 for undergraduate programs and $150,000 for professional programs), which could have a significant impact on the pharmacy profession. Read AACP’s recent press release here and join the advocacy campaign: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs 

• The US House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1 which includes terminating the Grad PLUS Loan Program and cap federal loans at $200,000 per borrower ($50,000 for undergraduate programs and $150,000 for professional programs), which could have a significant impact on the pharmacy profession. Read AACP’s recent press release here and join the advocacy campaign: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs
• AACP joined 412 organizations signed the FY26 letter to Congress requesting federal funding for gun violence prevention research. The letter represents organizations strongly supporting federal funding for research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention.
• The Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) recently met with legislators on the Hill urging Congress to provide $1.51 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII and Title VIII workforce development programs. Visit the HPNEC to read more about the FY26 recommendation.  

• The House Committee on Education and the Workforce recently passed bill text regarding student loans intended to be included in the upcoming reconciliation bill. The proposed text would terminate the Grad PLUS Loan Program and cap federal loans at $200,000 per borrower ($50,000 for undergraduate programs and $150,000 for professional programs), which could have a significant impact on the pharmacy profession. Advocate with AACP, APhA, and ASHP using this action alert: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs 

• CHF Letter to Appropriators on Leaked HHS FY26 Discretionary Budget Passback
  • The final letter included over 530 local, state, and national organizations expressing concern regarding the Administration’s draft Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services. The draft proposal would have a devastating impact on vital programs that monitor and defend against infectious and chronic disease, battle opioid and mental health epidemics, protect the public against environmental and occupational health threats and more.
• Clozapine REMS Issues Timeline for Prescribing Updates and Sunsetting of Website from AAPP
  • Per FDA’s instruction, clozapine manufacturers have formally submitted a modification to eliminate the Clozapine REMS and to update the prescribing information. It is anticipated that FDA will approve this modification and officially release (eliminate) the Clozapine REMS in mid-June 2025. Read more about the Clozapine REMS update here provided by the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP).
• FY 2026 ARPA-H Community Letter
  • AACP joined other national organizations and community letter to provide at least $1.7 billion, to be available through FY 2028, for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. The recommendation provides a $200 million increase over FY25’s Continuing Resolution levels which would allow the agency to expand its portfolio. Read more about it here.  
• Friends of NCHS Recommendation for FY26
  • As a member of the Friends of NCHS, AACP has signed a letter with 45 other organizations to fund the National Center for Health Statistics at $220 million for FY26. The letter also details specific areas in which additional investment will help NCHS enhance its work. Read more about the group’s priorities with this investment.

• AACP Joins 500+ Organizations in NIH FY26 Funding Recommendation
  • Read the letter urging Congress to provide at least $51.3 billion for the NIH for fiscal year (FY) 2026, and support for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The recommendation for NIH would represent a $4.222 billion or 9.0% increase over the final FY 2025 funding level. For more information, check out the question-and-answer sheet here.
• AACP Joins 50+ Organizations in NIAID FY26 Funding Recommendation
  • In collaboration with the American Society for Microbiology, organizations representing public health, patients, and biomedical researchers requested at least $7.29 billion for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). This funding is critical to ensure that the nation can respond to current and future disease threats. Read the letter here.
• AACP Supports the CDC Coalition in FY26 Recommendations for CDC
  • The coalition’s letter supports at least $11.581 billion for CDC’s programs in the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill while rejecting any efforts to dismantle the agency or eliminate any of its essential public health programs.  
• AACP Supports the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research FY26 Recommendation for the Medical and Prosthetic Research Program  
  • FOVA urges lawmakers to provide $1.2 billion for VA research, reflecting the critical role the VA research plays in advancing veterans’ health. This investment will empower VA to recruit and retain top scientific talent, fuel groundbreaking discoveries, and ensure that veterans continue to benefit from cutting-edge treatments. Read more here.

• Read CHF’s Statement on HHS Reorganization
  • The Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) is alarmed by the administration’s recent actions to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services, freeze funding, and dismantle essential programs that protect public health, provide health care for Americans, keep them healthy, and ensure America remains the global leader in developing new treatments and cures. 

• Read FASHP’s Letter on Reconciliation and Student Loans Borrowers
  • FASHP is highly concerned about proposals that would eliminate and drastically alter essential federal student aid programs. The letter highlights that any forthcoming budget reconciliation legislation does not negatively impact students and student loan borrowers.  
• AACP Supports Statement from AAI and ACP Emphasizing the Critical Role of Vaccinations in Public Health
  • A coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations led by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) have released a statement on the impact and safety of vaccines. Check out the press release here.
• AACP Joins American Council on Education (ACE) Comment Letter on White House AI Action Plan  
  • The National Science Foundation requested input from stakeholders to inform the White House’s development of an AI Action Plan. Read the comment letter developed with input from EDUCAUSE, on the impact of AI on students and institutions, with recommendations for policymakers to consider as they develop an action plan.

• AACP Signs on to FY25 NIH Funding Community Letter  
  • AACP joined 600 organizations in a letter urging House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to provide robust fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and protect against cuts to the agency.  
• AACP Joins Friends of AHRQ Letter on FY26 Appropriations  
  • AACP joined over 190 organizations representing doctors, patients, researchers, health systems, and more to support full funding of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in FY 2026.  
• AACP Supports Updates to DEA Registration for Pharmacists  
  • AACP joined other pharmacy organizations in a letter requesting the DEA update its online DEA registration for pharmacists and Mid-Level Practitioners Authorization by State table to reflect state legislative and regulatory changes.  
• FASHP Statement on NIH Funding Reductions
  • The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) recently released a statement on the vital role that sustained funding for facilities and administrative costs plays in supporting research activities funded by the NIH.