BRITISH pharmacist turned reality TV star, Anna Vakili, is back behind the dispensary and is using her social media clout to pressure the UK Government into providing more support for the profession.
In an video posted on Instagram on Sun 07 Jun, Vakili, who gained celebrity status on the UK's Love Island series last year, expressed concern for the safety of pharmacists on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis, and called on Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, to back "pharmacy heroes" with appropriate funding and personal protective equipment.
Having pursued a career as an influencer, Vakili said she had returned to the profession in recent weeks to provide support for her former peers.
"Since I've been back, I've been amazed by the heroic work that pharmacists are doing," she said.
"So many of them are working day-in and day-out on the frontline.
"They're putting themselves at risk by physically seeing patients, dispensing and delivering millions of prescriptions to the most vulnerable people.
"I believe that pharmacists and their staff are the quiet achievers in this battle to keep the UK healthy.
"On average 1.6 million people visit a pharmacy every day, and I'm sure that they would agree that these amazing National Health Service workers deserve more recognition and support form the Government.
"Last week I was working in a pharmacy that had no protective equipment - I'm just shocked that several months in so many pharmacies still don't have the protective equipment they need to stay safe.
"So many have received a third to a quarter of what they were promised, and they are having to rely on customer donations.
"So far five UK pharmacists have died on the frontline and there's a risk that number could increase.
"I'm calling on the Government to back our pharmacy heroes with more support.
"I know the Chancellor grew up working in his mum's pharmacy and I know that he values the work that pharmacists do."
Vakili warned that the cost of repaying Government loans provided during the crisis could put pharmacies out of business.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 Jun 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 10 Jun 20
