THE COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report, released yesterday, underscores the critical role of healthcare providers, including community pharmacists, played during the pandemic.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler stated that the procurement delays ultimately affected the timing of the vaccine rollout and prolonged restrictive public health measures that had by then been in place for over a year.
"This meant our staged reopening occurred months later than it otherwise could have, with a direct economic cost estimated at $31 billion," Butler said.
"The striking conclusion from this report is that right now we are arguably worse placed as a country to deal with a pandemic than we were in early 2020 for a range of reasons."
According to Butler the "erosion of trust" not only constrains the ability to respond to a future pandemic, but has impacted current vaccination programs.
There has been a reduction of seven or eight percentage points in the participation of in the whooping cough and measles vaccination programs for under fives, which means that the country is now well below herd immunity levels, Butler added.
However, the report also highlighted pharmacists' quick adaptation, with over 12 million vaccinations administered at 6,000 community pharmacies.
Pharmacy Guild National President Trent Twomey commended pharmacists' dedication, saying, "they stayed open late, adopted e-scripts, and recruited staff against the odds".
The report also recommended involving pharmacists and other healthcare professionals from the outset in future health crises.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomed the report and the key recommendation to set up a Centre for Disease Control, while emphasising the need for greater utilisation of pharmacists' skills.
"Pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals who can help break down vaccination barriers, improve access, and amplify public health messages," said PSA President Fei Sim. JG
For the full report, CLICK HERE.
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