VICTORIAN politicians are being urged to let pharmacies "off the bench" to support efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic as the State enters a seven-day lockdown.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, said community pharmacies would be an essential service that will remain open as the State battles with its latest COVID outbreak.
He urged the Victorian Government to let pharmacists play an active role in administering vaccines.
"It's a travesty that community pharmacies stand ready on the sidelines watching the game unfold before them and have been held back from taking the field by the Victorian Government to help the team get the job done," Tassone said.
"Over 800 community pharmacies [in Victoria] have been deemed 'suitable' by the Commonwealth Department of Health through the expression of interest process to participate in the Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination program.
"That's over 800 COVID-19 vaccination clinics sitting idle none the wiser when they can help protect their patients and communities as we enter another seven-day lockdown.
"The time has well and truly come, we're almost in overtime in the game, let the super-sub off the bench and onto the field -- State and Territory Governments must activate pharmacies now for the COVID-19 vaccine program."
The State-wide lockdown will come into force from midnight tonight.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 May 21
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 27 May 21
