ALL community pharmacy staff members are being urged to wear face masks to avoid transmission of COVID-19 as part of new guidelines issued by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) this week.
The updated guidance notes that pharmacists and front of shop staff who are likely to have "close contact with suspected or confirmed cases" should consider using additional personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, gowns and eye protection, to mitigate against their risk of infection.
Pharmacists delivering point-of-care services including immunisations and blood pressure monitoring, are advised to use a face-shield in combination with gloves and other PPE.
Patients should be told to avoid long stays in the pharmacy, while elderly patients and those with co-morbidities should be asked to have a carer go to the pharmacy instead.
Outlining recommendations for ensuring safety and continuity of service FIP said "measures should be taken to ensure continuity of pharmacy activities while minimising the risk of contamination".
"Examples of measures include dividing personnel into different shifts (for example, one team in the morning and the other at night or on alternating days), reorganising the workspace to maintain safe distances as much as possible, and establishing disinfecting procedures and schedules," FIP said.
"If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 among the pharmacy staff, all staff members who had close contact with the infected colleague (in the same shift, for example) should be followed up as potentially infected and may be required to remain isolated for two weeks according to local public health recommendations.
"Pharmacy operations would have to be adapted if a staff member were to isolate, including changes to scheduling and pharmacy working hours.
"In case a pharmacy cannot assure its normal opening hours due to non-availability of staff because of COVID-19, the new opening hours should be communicated to the public in a visible place at least outside the pharmacy.
"The new opening times need to assure minimal service to the community in terms of medicines supply."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 16 Jul 20
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