PHARMACIES across the country have remained open throughout COVID-19 lockdowns to ensure patients retained access to critical medicines, but now they need their communities' support, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, says.
Speaking at an event to mark a 12-month extension of the Go Local First campaign, Twomey, called on Australians to support pharmacies and other small businesses.
"Australia's community pharmacy sector is unique in that it's composed almost entirely of small businesses," he said.
"Most pharmacies are owned and operated by locals.
"Our community pharmacists have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, making sure their locals are safe and able to access the medical care they needed.
"But right now, they are still doing it tough, so we should be supporting them now more than ever or we risk them closing doors.
"I would encourage all Australians to back this campaign and go local first next time you're looking to buy something or need some advice."
The extension of the campaign, which was initially launched in Jul 2020, will build on its early success in encouraging shoppers to support local small businesses when purchasing products and services.
Research commissioned by the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) found Australians have increased their spending at small local businesses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, COSBOA Interim CEO, Alexi Boyd, said that despite the positive findings small business "still need local communities to stand by them and support them in job creation as we emerge from Australia's first recession in three decades".
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