COMMUNITY pharmacies could offer a "more efficient and effective" distribution network than Primary Health Networks (PHNs) for face masks in response to the threat of coronavirus, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia believes.
Earlier this week the Federal Government announce plans to distribute one million masks from the National Medical Stockpile to GPs through their PHN.
However, Guild Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, noted a Melbourne-based PHN had written to pharmacists indicating it would arrange for the delivery of "a small number [of masks] to each General Practice in the catchment" once supplies were received.
"The Guild is in regular contact with the Chief Medical Officer regarding the coronavirus situation," he said.
"We continue to advocate that any distribution of masks would be far more efficient and effective if done via Community Service Obligation (CSO) wholesalers and community pharmacies were also a recipient to give to patients where required on referral for further assessment.
"The community pharmacy and wholesaler network have a past history of success in being involved with flu pandemic responses."
Tassone added that the Guild has been liaising with domestic suppliers to refer members should they wish to purchase their own stock of N95 masks.
He added that there was no evidence of patients obtaining masks to send overseas.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 31 Jan 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 31 Jan 20
