POOR execution of the 'Masks for Vulnerable Victorians' scheme may make pharmacists reticent about participating in unremunerated programs in the future, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, warns.
Tassone told Pharmacy Daily that despite being repeatedly told by the State Government and Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that "community pharmacy is respected and valued", issues faced by the sector throughout the COVID-19 crisis left many feeling less than appreciated.
"The 'Masks for Vulnerable Victorians' initiative was very well intentioned, and community pharmacies showed their support by placing orders promptly to help respond to requests from their patients to obtain a mask," he said.
"Unfortunately, the execution of this program has nowhere near met the expectations of our members or the public with long wait times for receiving any stock [if at all] and the Guild needing to continually follow up with the Victorian DHHS to obtain updates.
"Community pharmacies have continually turned up and opened their doors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and been there for their patients.
"Amongst all of the challenges they have had to face, pharmacies have also had to field queries about the Victorian government's 'Masks for Vulnerable Victorians' and comfort the public for a poorly executed program that was beyond their control.
"This is all without any remuneration and very little recognition.
"The Guild continually hears from the government and the Victorian DHHS how much community pharmacy is respected and valued. It is increasingly difficult to believe and feel that when we are not kept updated and consulted despite being a major delivery arm of their own program.
"It is in the DNA of pharmacists and pharmacies to do whatever they can for their patients and communities.
"The COVID pandemic has been difficult for everyone and we can only hope that given the experiences had with this program that pharmacies won't have second thoughts participating in the future for similar initiatives."
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