Vic pharmacies are doing it tough

PHARMACIES in Victoria may be exempt from new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions announced yesterday, but many are doing it tough, Pharmacy Guild of Australia State Branch President, Anthony Tassone, says.

Speaking to Pharmacy Daily, Tassone said Victorian Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos, had indicated that “community pharmacies will definitely be able to operate throughout the Stage Four lockdown period in metropolitan Melbourne given we are an essential service in delivery and access to primary healthcare”.

Despite being able to remain open, Tassone stressed pharmacies across the state were facing difficulties.

“Although there can be an assumption that pharmacies are ‘one of the lucky ones’ in terms of businesses that will be able to continue to operate during COVID lockdown restrictions – there is no mistake that there are some pharmacies that are struggling and facing very challenging circumstances,” he said.

“The Guild continues to advocate for targeted business support for community pharmacy including offsetting the costs of close-downs and deep cleans in the event of a confirmed COVID case amongst staff.

“This should be retrospective for the pharmacies who have already had to endure the significant business interruption and cost in getting back up and running to continue to provide care and essential services for their community.”

Tassone voiced optimism about the resilience of the medicine supply chain, as Melbourne enters the new lockdown period.

“There have been many learnings to date with managing the medicines supply chain since the start of the COVID pandemic – with operations much better now than when the pandemic first hit Australia in Mar,” he said.

“Community pharmacy staff on the frontline have done an excellent job in reassuring patients that stockpiling medicines is not necessary and helping minimise interruption of medicines supply.”

He added that patients would be able to travel outside of the 5km radius of their home limit, to visit a pharmacy that they have an existing relationship with.