Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications; Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date

This final rule implements a further delay until July 20, 2021, of the effective date of the rule entitled "Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-saving Medications" published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2020. This rule was scheduled to take effect on March 22, 2021, after a delay from its original effective date of January 22, 2021. HHS is delaying the effective date of the rule to July 20, 2021, to ensure that implementation of the rule does not impede HHS's and health centers' immediate priority work, on a nationwide basis, of responding to and mitigating the spread of COVID-19, including ensuring widespread and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, and maintaining the delivery of comprehensive primary health services to medically underserved populations, while considering how to address administrative/ implementation issues raised by commenters and further address comments regarding the impact of the rule.