Yahoo News Coronavirus: Pharmacy staff facing increasing ‘abuse, disorder and even violence’ as demand for medicine surges
Pharmacy workers are facing abuse and violence from the public amid widespread shortages of paracetamol, hand sanitisers and thermometers during the coronavirus outbreak.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC) said it had received “increasing numbers of reports” of disorder at chemists across Britain amid unprecedented demand.
Some stores and online pharmacies are limiting their opening times and the quantity of products customers can buy.
Longer waiting times for prescription drugs are also likely.
“Pharmacies and pharmacy professionals are working on the frontline, under significant pressure, to support the public and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic” said Duncan Rudkin, GPC chief executive.
“Some pharmacies may need to adjust their opening hours or close for periods during the day to ensure that prescriptions are dispensed safely and that all staff can take necessary breaks.
“We are also hearing increasing numbers of reports that pharmacy staff are experiencing abuse, disorder and even violence at the hands of some of the members of the public they are trying to help.
“Abuse of pharmacy staff is never acceptable. This is an especially challenging time for the pharmacy profession and we condemn any abuse.”
Officials said there were currently enough drugs to meet demand and providers were doing everything possible to maintain the supply.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents independent community pharmacy professionals, urged the public to only buy the medicines they need.
“In most cases, pharmacies are currently able to meet need in a timely fashion, even if that means limiting the quantity of certain medicines sold to each customer,” said chief executive Mark Lyonette.
“Certain products, for example, hand sanitisers, paracetamol and thermometers, are only intermittently available.
“Please only buy the medicines you need now for you and your family; this will help to avoid creating difficulties for others, so that everyone in your community gets the medicines they need.
“There is no overall shortage of prescription medicines, but the current exceptionally high demand means that it may take longer than you are used to for pharmacy staff to process prescriptions.”
Meanwhile, Lloyds Pharmacy said it had temporarily paused online orders until 30 March because of the demand for pharmacy products.
It asked customers to buy products “only as and when needed” to “ensure pharmacies can continue to provide care for everyone over the coming months”.
Boots confirmed last week it had set limits on some items amid increased demand for children’s medicine, pain relief, and hygiene products. But it added: “We continue to have stock in the supply chain, which we are sending to stores each day.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
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