Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure on community pharmacy in England e.g. a 22% increase in dispensing volume in March 2020 (1), and changed the scope of services with the emergence of new services such COVID-19 test distribution, vaccination and extensive medicines delivery (2). These changes should be explored to learn how pharmacy could and should respond to any future pandemic.
Aims. To explore community pharmacy service provision in England during the COVID-19 pandemic for future pandemic preparedness Methods. Telephone interviews with 9 pharmacists (including 4 managers and 2 owners), 1 dispenser and 9 patients between April and September 2021, from a mixture of rural, semi-rural or city settlements. Interview schedules (for providers/patients) were informed by literature and piloted. Transcripts were analysed thematically.
Results. Providers (pharmacists and dispenser) and patients contributed 8 and 6 themes respectively. Some examples, providers described changes in prescribing habits e.g. patients being given several inhalers for the first time in years, with such changes considered a cause of medicines shortages. Although providers felt more trusted by General Practice [GP] and vice versa, double standards were suggested: “we were being asked to take patient’s blood pressure... why couldn’t the surgery [GP]?”. Patients also described service double standards “you couldn’t see a doctor, but you could see a nurse to have a blood test”. Regarding medicines use, the only change described by patients was self-monitoring blood pressure at home and informing GP of readings.
Discussion. Differences in how different professionals provided care should be further explored to ensure an effective and equitable service delivery in any future pandemic. To support appropriate medicines use and supply chains, protocols should be developed to guide pharmacy services and healthcare more broadly.
1. The Pharmaceutical Journal. Items dispensed from electronic prescriptions increase by 22% in March 2020.
[Internet]. London: The Pharmaceutical Journal; [updated 2022 Jun 02; cited 2022 Mar 21]. Available from: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/items-dispensed-from-electronic-prescriptions-increase-by-22-in-march-2020#:∼:text=By%20Carolyn%20Wickware&text=Of%20the%20items%20dispensed%20in,the%20EPS%20in%20February%202020.
2. Maidment I, Young E, MacPhee M, et al Rapid realist review of the role of community pharmacy in the public health response to COVID-19 BMJ Open 2021;11:e050043. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050043.
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