Pharmacies to accept only two clients at a time

Pharmacies will accept only two clients at a time, the Chamber of Pharmacists said yesterday.

“The COVID-19 Emergency is a national issue that requires good management. It is a time where the whole nation pulls together. It is not a time for playing partisan political games, nor is it the time to score political points and enhance one’s popularity,” the chamber said in a statement.

“Although there seems to be consultations with doctors and nurses, the Pharmacists and Pharmacy sector have been pointedly ignored by both the Health Ministry and the Superintendence of Public Health. Inane statements by the Leader of the Opposition have not helped matters either. The public has been whipped into a frenzy of panic buying and stocking of medicines, when there is no need for this, by irresponsible statements from politicians of all stripes, who do not consult.”

Pharmacies must remain open come what may, even in periods if and when there is a lockdown, the Chamber said.

“Pharmacists are a resource as important as doctors and nurses. Wholesalers of pharmaceuticals and their responsible pharmacists and all other staff in the pharmaceutical chain are also important. We already have a number of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and staff who cannot work because they have small children and no one to take care of them. Our resources are stretched to the absolute limit.”

As such, both the Chamber of Pharmacists and the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, who represent all pharmacies in Malta, issued a number of directives.

Due to the overwhelming amounts of people coming to pharmacies, deliveries in the Domiciliary over 70’s scheme are hereby suspended.

“No new applications will be entertained and no phone calls will be taken regarding the Scheme. We call on the Government to provide carers to collect patients’ entitlements.”

“With immediate effect, all patients will be given a two months’ supply of medicines, only when they are due, to reduce an unnecessary rush on pharmacies.”

Pharmacies will admit a maximum of two people into the pharmacy at any given time. Patients will stand away at least one meter from the pharmacy counter and follow to the letter all directives given to them by the managing pharmacist, the statement read.

“Pharmacists are strongly reminded to hand sanitise often especially after handling patients’ documents.”