COMMUNITY pharmacies in Somerset are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone’s medicines and healthcare needs will be met over the coming days and weeks.

Pharmacy teams are a critical part of the NHS and, in the past weeks, they have seen an increase in demand for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, advice and reassurance. 

Pharmacy teams are under intense pressure at the moment, working on the front line of the health service often without any protection for their health. 

To help pharmacies to cope under the increasing pressure,the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) is asking patients and members of the public to:

* Avoid pharmacies if you are showing symptoms of Covid-19. Anyone who has a dry, persistent cough, fever or shortness of breath is asked to avoid entering local pharmacies just as they would avid any other healthcare setting.

* Be patient – all pharmacies are under immense pressure and working around the clock.

* Order medicines as normal – there is no need to stockpile medicines. Ordering extra prescriptions and buying more over-the-counter medicines than necessary will contribute to disruption to the medicines supply chain, which is otherwise robust.

Pharmacies will remain open wherever possible, but some are now reducing the hours during which they can admit members of the public. This is to ensure that pharmacy teams can carry out tasks such as preparing prescriptions and restocking shelves so that these vital services can continue safely.

Michael Lennox, chief officer of the Somerset LPC said: “Community pharmacy teams are a really important part of the NHS and, like all other NHS workers, they are under pressure at the moment.

“We are asking patients and members to the public to take some very simple steps to help protect these teams so that pharmacies can continue to carry out their critical roles and ensure that everyone continues to get the medicines, help and support they need when they need it.

“People can also help us by only requesting their usual supply of medications when required and not try and do it early or order extra, to help the supply chain keep up with demand.

“We will make sure suitable provision is made for people self-isolating owing to illness or being in at-risk groups.

“Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. This includes people of all ages – even if they do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.”