Blog Viewer

Community pharmacists are truly fighting on the front line of the pandemic. They are providing COVID-19 testing, counseling, and referring patients to higher levels of care when appropriate. They assist with symptom management when patients with COVID-19 are being managed at home. Rural community pharmacists are in an especially unique position, as they may be the only healthcare professional for miles. Articles have already been published regarding how community pharmacists are helping with the effort to combat the virus.^1-5 Now, with the COVID-19 vaccines nearing the distribution point, pharmacists find themselves in a position to fight this virus by administering the vaccine.

In the United Kingdom (UK), a survey of pharmacists noted that 53% were concerned that their contributions to the pandemic were not recognized.⁶ I also noted this frustration of not being recognized as a frontline healthcare worker when I spoke with those working in community pharmacy, as well as on various social media accounts.

Community pharmacists may have concerns with contracting COVID-19. A study completed in the UK indicated that the majority of pharmacists reported feeling more anxious than before the outbreak. In Italy, 38% of the 1600 pharmacists surveyed reported at least one COVID-19 symptom.⁶ Of the 6% that were tested for the virus, 15% tested positive.⁷ Another study showed that UK health care professionals, including pharmacists, had a relative risk of severe COVID-19 of 6.19 (95%CI 3.68-10.43) compared to non-essential workers.⁸

As noted above, we know community pharmacists provide essential services during the pandemic and have been going above and beyond their normal duties by providing COVID-19 testing and soon the COVID-19 vaccines. It is also noted above that these essential works face an increased risk of contracting the virus. How are these frontline pharmacists being protected in the community? 

Community pharmacy workers I spoke to and interacted with on social media said that they currently have a new mask every day, but it was not always that way. In the beginning of the pandemic, it was impossible to get masks. Masks were reused for days or even weeks at a time. Some pharmacists indicated they could have better protection at the COVID-19 testing sites, as they are utilizing surgical masks instead of N95 masks. Data shows that many pharmacists (58%) are concerned with infecting their family/friends with COVID-19. In the same study, 8.3% of pharmacists note a major concern with the pharmacy not having precautionary measures in place.⁶ In Kosovo, the majority of pharmacists surveyed utilized surgical masks (81%), with just 25% reporting using N95 masks.⁹ In rural communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina, 85-92% of pharmacies reported having PPE for staff.¹⁰ Lastly, a survey in Ontario reviled that there was inconsistent guidance and practice regarding PPE for customers and staff.¹¹

Community pharmacists have been providing essential services to patients since the beginning of the pandemic. Many could not transition to remote work, and safety measures were not swiftly implemented. These pharmacists need to be recognized and protected, along with all other healthcare professionals. When picking up your prescription or receiving a vaccine, remember to thank your pharmacist!

References:

1. Adunlin G, Murphy PZ, Manis M. COVID-19: How can rural community pharmacists respond to the outbreak? J Rural Health. 2020 May 30. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7262086/
2. Hedima EW, Adeyemi MS, Ikunaiye NY. Community pharmacists: one of the frontline of health service against COVID-19 in LMICs. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 Apr 17. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7162785/
3. Cadogan CA, Hughes CM. On the frontline against COVID-19: Community pharmacists’contribution during a public health crisis. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 March 31. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551741120302928
4. Strand MA, Bratberg J, Eukel H, et al. Community pharmacists’ contributions to disease management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prev Chronic Dis. 2020;17:E69.
5. Ung COL. Community pharmacist in public health emergencies: Quick to action against the coronavirus 2019-nCoV outbreak. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 Apr. 16(4):583-6.
6. Zaidi STR, Hasan SS. Personal protective practices and pharmacy services delivery by community pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a national survey. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 July 9. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551741120308196.
7. Cabas P, Di Bella S, Giuffre M, et al. Community pharmacists’ exposure to COVID-19. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 May 26;S1551-7411(20)30547-7.
8. Mutambudzi M, Niedwiedz C, Macdonald EB. Occupation and risk of severe COVID-19: prospective cohort study of 120075 UK Biobank participants. Occup Environ Med 2020;0:1-8.
9. Hoti K, Jakupi A, Hetemi D, et al. Provision of community pharmacy services during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study of community pharmacists’ experiences with preventative measures and sources of information. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy. 2020. 42;1197-1206.
10. Carpenter DM, Hastings T, Westrick S, et al. Rural community pharmacies’ preparedness for and responses to COVID-19. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 Oct 21. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551741120311396
11. Gregory PAM, Austin Z. COVID-19: How did community pharmacies get through the first weave? Canadian Pharmacists Journal. 2020 Aug 14. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1715163520945741