Coronavirus: Pharmacies urge people not to stockpile medicine following 'tidal wave of demand'

Community Pharmacy Scotland says Covid-19 could impact the way pharmacies operate

Sarah Young
Thursday 19 March 2020 11:09 GMT
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Older people enjoy dedicated shopping sessions at supermarkets

People are being urged not to stockpile medicines as pressure on the sector increases amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), which represents the owners of Scotland's network of around 1,250 community pharmacies, said its members are facing a “tidal wave of demand” due to the outbreak.

As a result, CPS has asked people to only buy the medicines and supplies that they need, and that if they have symptoms of infection to ask someone else to collect essential medicines wherever possible.

CPS also said that the coronavirus may impact the way pharmacies operate, with measures such as restricted access and social distancing being considered.

The organisation has written to members of the Scottish parliament to ask for their help in relating the message to the public.

Matt Barclay, director of operations at CPS, said: “Covid-19 has brought unprecedented pressure on the pharmacy network at this time to continue to supply life-saving medicines to population of Scotland.

“As more and more GP surgeries close their doors and move to virtual consultations only, people are understandably turning to community pharmacy for support.”

Barclay added that while teams are committed to helping their communities, the pharmacies need help to protect them and maintain the supply of medicines, services and advice for those who really need it.

”So far the response from the network has been inspiring as pharmacies deal with greater volumes of requests from the public who are concerned about themselves, friends and family,” Barclay said.

“This is a worrying time. There is an overwhelming amount of information – and equal parts misinformation – out there and pharmacy teams are providing advice and supplying medicines, keeping people well as close to home as possible and away from other healthcare settings like hospitals.”

He added that to keep pharmacies open and providing essential services for as long as possible, owners and teams might have to operate a little differently.

“Physical access to pharmacies may be restricted, methods to ensure appropriate social distancing may be put in place and delivery services will undergo some changes as well as demand from those self-isolating increases,” Barclay explained.

The move follows a series of new measures introduced at supermarkets after many consumers have been panic-buying and stockpiling essential food and household items.

Iceland and Lidl and Tesco in Ireland are among the supermarkets to introduce a dedicated hour at stores specifically for the elderly and people who are vulnerable to do their shopping.

Elsewhere, Asda and Sainsbury’s have started restricting the number of items people can buy in one go.

“I mentioned last week that we had put limits on a very small number of products. Following feedback from our customers and from our store colleagues, we have decided to put restrictions on a larger number of products,” Mike Coupe, CEO of Sainsbury’s said in a statement.

“From tomorrow, 18 March, customers will be able to buy a maximum of three of any grocery product and a maximum of two on the most popular products including toilet paper, soap and UHT milk.”

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