Supporting the nation with medicines and advice: open letter from pharmacy leaders to patients and customers

16 Mar 2020

UK pharmacy leaders have today (16 March) issued an open letter to customers, asking them to act in the interests of the whole community by helping pharmacies maintain vital services including medicines supply, in the light of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The letter highlights that pharmacies across the United Kingdom are working hard to provide their regular services, including the safe supply of medicines, while also meeting significantly increased demand for advice on preventing coronavirus.

It asks patients, customers and the wider public to follow a number of guidelines:

  • Act responsibly by not entering a pharmacy if you have symptoms of infection, such as a cough or fever.
  • Please ask friends or family who are symptom-free to collect essential medicines for you.
  • Only buy the medicines and supplies that you need right now to treat you and your family.
  • Follow any instructions from our pharmacists and pharmacy teams.
  • Treat our pharmacy teams in the way that you would wish to be treated yourself.
  • Keep up to date with the latest online advice from the NHS.

Image reproduced from – ITV

You may have seen Mark Lyonette, NPA Chief Executive, speaking on ITV news about an open letter that has been issued from pharmacy leaders (NPA and CCA). It asks patients, customers and the wider public to follow a number of guidelines including: not entering a pharmacy if you have symptoms of infection, such as a cough or fever; asking friends or family who are symptom-free to collect essential medicines for you; and only buying the medicines and supplies that you need right now to treat you and your family.

National Pharmacy Association Chief Executive, Mark Lyonette, said:

“Pharmacies provide important services and absorb pressure that would otherwise fall on other parts of the health care system. We are asking the public to help us to continue to do our vital work on the NHS frontline. If we act together in our communities, we can all do our bit to limit the impact that this virus has on the nation’s health.”

Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the Company Chemists Association, which represents large community pharmacy operators, said:

“We understand that people want to feel prepared given the uncertainty that coronavirus is creating. However, it’s important that everyone plays their part in reducing the spread of this virus and helping us to maintain the supply of medicines for all.”

Supporting the nation with medicines and advice