PHARMACY owners need to engage with staff about how they can prevent incidents of workplace violence, following the assault of a pharmacist in Western Australia last week (PD 11 May), Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) believes.
PPA CEO, Jill McCabe, told Pharmacy Daily that the union was "appalled to hear the report of a pharmacist being assaulted in Geraldton, by an aggressive customer".
"Aggression, abuse and violence against pharmacists or any other front-line health workers is completely unacceptable," she said.
"Pharmacists experience serious psychological and physical harm as a result of aggression, verbal abuse and violence and measures must be taken to prevent work-based abuse and violence from occurring.
"Obviously offences related to violent behaviour must be reported to the police and individuals who undertake aggressive or abusive behaviour towards frontline staff like pharmacists, should be subjected to the full force of the law.
"However, as these matters also relate to workplace health and safety, they must also be reported to relevant workplace health and safety authorities.
"Pharmacy owners must also recognise they have legal obligations to provide and maintain safe and healthy workplaces - and that includes workplaces that are free from work-based abuse and violence.
"Pharmacy owners must identify the risks of work-based abuse and violence in pharmacy settings and take action to eliminate or reduce these risks.
"They must also consult with pharmacy staff about the risks and measures that are needed to prevent work-based violence from occurring in pharmacy, which could include increased security controls."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 12 May 22
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