THIS week's contributor is Gerard Stevens, Managing Director, Webstercare - Supply is the tip of pharmacy's iceberg: I want to celebrate the crucial nature and breadth of the role pharmacists play in health care. We are much more than the end of the medication supply chain.
Despite the corona crisis dominating everyone's lives, other health issues continue unabated.
Asthma and diabetes still need ongoing management. Cardiovascular diseases require ongoing support and treatment. Chronic and acute pain remain a major challenge for many people. Mothers and babies need support and reassurance. And smokers need our help to quit right now.
While doctors and nurses marshal to fight COVID-19, it will be the forgotten third leg of primary health -- pharmacists -- who Australians will largely turn to for ongoing treatment, advice and reassurance.
Sure, supply issues abound. Violence has even erupted as fear sweeps people desperate to retain access to their crucial medication.
But behind every story of customer aggression, there are countless others of kindness and appreciation. We know our communities trust and rely on us.
When the corona crisis abates, let's marshal our own resources and assert the reality our communities experience every day: medication supply is only the tip of the pharmacy iceberg.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 20 Apr 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 20 Apr 20
