Pharmacy rises to COVID challenges

COMMUNITY pharmacy is proving its value through the COVID-19 crisis, with staff going above and beyond for patients, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis, believes.

With six weeks remaining on the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA), the sector is waiting for Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, to sign off on the 7CPA, which had been scheduled to be concluded by 31 Dec 2019, Tambassis has highlighted the role pharmacists and pharmacy staff have played in recent national crisis, in a message to the sector.

“As National President of the Guild I am extremely proud of the way our member pharmacies have pulled out all stops to ensure their patients continue to receive their medicines and the services they need through pharmacies,” he said.

“I salute the dedication and commitment pharmacies and their staff have demonstrated under the most trying of circumstances.

“We’ve had bushfires in multiple states causing pressure and stress, and now of course the global pandemic which has absolutely pulverised our economy and our society.

“It’s put huge pressure on pharmacies and staff as we’ve all tried to cope with panic buying, medicine shortages, isolated patients, and risks and concerns around the health of our staff.

“But throughout it all our member pharmacies have been there for their communities.

“You have been open longer hours; you have dealt with scared and frustrated patients and you have had to cope with medicine shortages.

“Despite the difficulties, day in and day out you have been there at the frontline for your patients.”

Tambassis concluded by saying that the Guild has been working hard to finalise the 7CPA to give the sector certainty.