Pressure on pharmacies during peak of Coronavirus

Boris Johnson’s announcement on 23rd March meant a ‘new normal’ was about to sweep the UK. Four weeks later and the UK is still in a police-enforced lockdown, only allowed out for essentials. Much of the media content has surrounded the chaos witnessed in supermarkets, with shoppers fighting over and panic-buying commodities. However, something people are arguably more worried about is how Coronavirus will effect their availability of medication.

People do not need to panic as medication is still readily available and pharmacies still are working at their normal operating hours. However, pharmacies have decided to close their doors between the hours 12.00pm and 2.00pm to help complete extra tasks such as cleaning and catching up on work load due to reduced staff, as some have been required to self-isolate.

During this time people may have to wait a little longer for goods they buy online, this is also the case with prescriptions, due to the increased number of prescriptions coming in. Pharmacists are working tirelessly to ensure that prescriptions are ready as quickly as possible, despite a huge increase of prescriptions daily.

“It’s chaos,” says local pharmacy worker, “everything is taking a little longer at the moment, but customers will still be getting the medication they need, there is no need for this much panic.”

Pharmacy teams are key workers and are a fundamental part of the NHS, however, chief officer of the Kent and Medway Local Pharmaceutical Committee reveals, she doesn’t think her team is getting the recognition they deserve. Pharmacies are receiving high volumes of complaints as prescriptions aren’t ready within the usual 48 hours, thus, slowing the process down further. Furthermore, a director of a pharmacy in Gillingham has spoken out about the increased abuse pharmacy workers have been facing. Pharmacy workers are working the best they can with staff working longer hours to keep up with the pace of prescriptions coming in.

Another local pharmacy worker has said, “people need to be more understanding at a time like this, instead of complaining, appreciate the situation is being dealt with as quickly as possible.” Pharmacies also asked that people, especially over 70’s stop coming into the shop asking for their prescriptions as this is unsafe. They promise they will be delivered - either by the pharmacy or by the community hub run by volunteers who have been furloughed.