The Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment, and Response Program — A Model for Future Public Health Emergency Response

Rapid distribution of diagnostic testing and countermeasures in community settings is a persistent challenge during pandemics. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) public health emergency, the Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment, and Response program at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided free Covid-19 testing through retail pharmacies. The program enabled timely diagnosis for uninsured individuals and maintained a robust pharmacy network with the capacity to serve the entire U.S. population. This public-private partnership model can be employed for future public health emergency response, surveillance, research, and prevention.