GOVERNMENTS around the globe are being urged to empower pharmacists to play a central role in the effort to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a statement from the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) CEO, Dr Catherine Duggan, said the profession was playing a key part in providing advice to patients and supporting the broader health system.
"Pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce at community and hospital pharmacies and clinical biology laboratories are preventing the spread of the new coronavirus disease, advising the public, and supporting the efficient management of infection by healthcare systems," she said.
"Since pharmacies are often the first point of contact with the health system, we call on governments to support them in these roles and to count on pharmacists worldwide as key partners in the global effort to contain the outbreak."
The WHPA noted that pharmacists, nurses, doctors and other health professions have been "putting themselves at risk as they battle to protect their communities, often without the required personal protective equipment, such as masks and hazardous material suits, that can keep them safe from infection and therefore able to carry on their vital work".
"The WHPA is calling on governments and healthcare organisations to support front line healthcare workers in any way they can, but especially and urgently through the supply of crucial personal protective equipment," the WHPA said.
"They should also ensure that staff are getting adequate breaks during their shifts, and time off between shifts, to be able to carry on in what could be a long-term global crisis."
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