Zaidi, STR and Hasan, SS (2021) Personal protective practices and pharmacy services delivery by community pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a national survey. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17 (1). pp. 1832-1837. ISSN 1551-7411
Abstract
Introduction
Coronavirus disease (COVID19) has adversely affected the delivery of various health services. Little is known about the impact of COVID19 on pharmacy services across the United Kingdom (UK). We surveyed community pharmacists across the UK to understand their protective practices, professional and general well-being, and the delivery of pharmacy services during the COVID19 pandemic.
Methods
Community pharmacists were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey via the nationwide weekly newsletter of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the local pharmaceutical committees during the second week of May 2020. The survey remained open for 4 weeks.
Results
A total of 206 pharmacists responded to the survey with representations from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The majority of pharmacists (>75% or above) reported an increase in customer traffic to their pharmacy and were asking relevant questions from patients with flu-like symptoms before signposting them to the appropriate care. Most pharmacists (>85%) were maintaining a safe distance of 2 m from customers and 72% were wearing an N95 protective mask and 28% were using protective gloves and apron in addition to safe distancing and protective masks. Ninety-nine percent of pharmacists reported drug shortages with 38% and 26% reported significant drug shortages and critical drug shortages causing disruptions beyond over the counter medicines. Eighty-nine percent pharmacists reported inappropriate behaviour from patients or carers with 31% and 16% reported it to be a regular or frequent problem, respectively. Fifty-three% of pharmacists were willing to offer their assistance for mass testing of COVID19 antibodies if adequate training and reimbursement are provided.
Conclusion
Community pharmacists in the UK are facing considerable challenges in terms of personal protection and the delivery of pharmacy services. Inappropriate behaviour from patients and carers towards community pharmacists require urgent attention to ensure a safe working place for all community pharmacists.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of an article published in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | COVID19; Community pharmacists; Drug shortages; Personal and protective equipment; Social distancing; United Kingdom |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Healthcare (Leeds) > Pharmacy (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2020 07:58 |
Last Modified: | 24 Feb 2025 12:56 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.07.006 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:165823 |
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