PHARMACIST, Ahmed Ouf, is calling for the profession to be given greater protection after being the victim of a violent incident in a late night pharmacy in Western Sydney on Mon night.
Video footage showed a patient pacing around the store before Ouf called him to the dispensary at the Pharmacy4Less in Auburn.
Ouf then handed the man a piece of paper, before the patient lashed out slamming his hand against a perspex sneeze guard, knocking it over on top of the pharmacist.
"I've been attacked verbally lots of times but as a health care professional who is on the frontline, I never thought that this would happen to me," Ouf said.
"This should not happen to anyone at his workplace.
"We need more protection."
Professional organisations, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), and union group, Professional Pharmacists Australia, (PPA) have been united in condeming the patient's behaviour.
Guild National President, George Tambassis, said he was "disturbed" to hear of the attack on Ouf, describing it as "unacceptable".
"Pharmacists and pharmacy staff will not and should not be expected to endure aggression and threatening abuse from a tiny minority of Australians who are engaging in this behaviour," he said.
"The safety and wellbeing of our staff and other patients is paramount."
PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, said that while the impacts of the COVID-19 were "bringing many to breaking point...there is no excuse for abusive and dangerous behaviour that puts pharmacists and pharmacy staff at risk".
"Like all frontline workers, pharmacists and pharmacy staff should feel safe at work, whether that be in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy or other patient-facing role," he said.
"It is time to send a strong message to the community that violence and threats are unacceptable."
PPA President, Geoff March, described the video footage as "frightening", adding, "members are reporting an increase in aggressive behaviour by customers" in recent months.
He urged pharmacy owners and employees to understand their rights and obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act, and suggested that having a security presence at the entry to the store and signage noting the use of CCTV could deter aggressive behaviour.
Responding to news of the incident a NSW Health spokesperson told Pharmacy Daily the State Government recognised the role of community pharmacists as frontline health workers supporting their communities.
"The community should be respectful of people who hold a very special place on the frontline of our fight to keep the community safe and well," the spokesperson said.
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