"PHARMACY staff are at risk" is the message being presented by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), in a new social media campaign calling for greater access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for pharmacists.
Posted across Twitter and LinkedIn the PSA's call contrasts with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's submission to the Fair Work Commission which stated that pharmacy employees were likely to face a lower risk of infection than other retail workers due to the "hygiene requirements and the brevity of contact with particular customers" (PD 10 Jul).
Under the banner "PPE for pharmacists", the PSA said, "frontline pharmacy staff must have timely access to masks."
"PSA is campaigning to the government to make sure you have the right type of masks when you need them," the post said.
"PPE is not an optional extra."
Other posts included the tag-lines, "Pharmacists can't stay at home", and "Pharmacists must be protected".
"As essential frontline healthcare workers, pharmacy staff are at risk," one post said.
"They must have timely access to the right type of masks."
In an update to the PSA's COVID-19 advice for pharmacists, the organisation stressed that those working in community pharmacy and general practice should wear masks.
"For pharmacists and pharmacy staff residing and working in locations with community transmission, it is recommended that you wear masks where 1.5m physical distancing between other people, including other staff, is difficult and cannot be guaranteed," the PSA said.
"Government directions notices relating to use of face masks in public may extend to pharmacists at work.
"The routine use of masks by pharmacists and pharmacy staff residing or practising in areas where community transmission is currently low is not actively recommended at this time, but not contraindicated.
"Face masks are an additional protection against transmission of COVID-19.
"Physical distancing, hand hygiene and staying home if unwell remain essential at all times to prevent transmission, and should be actively practised at all times in pharmacy workplaces."
The PSA also advised pharmacists conducting Home Medicines Reviews to reschedule appointments, or offer telehealth consults, if a patient or household is self-isolating.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 03 Aug 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 03 Aug 20
