Community Pharmacy Practice in Italy during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Regulatory Changes and a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Seroprevalence

Abstract

Pharmacists in the community and the essential requirement to safeguard their own health have become fundamental since the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aims of this paper were (I) to analyze the directives provided to pharmacists in 2020 regarding preventative safety measures to be adopted; (II) to determine the number of pharmacists who came into contact with SARS-CoV-2 in North-West Italy and relate this to the adopted preventative measures. The first aim was pursued by conducting a bibliographic research, consulting the principal regulatory sources. The second one was achieved with an observational study by administering a questionnaire and performing a serological test. The various protection measures imposed by national and regional legislation were analyzed. Two hundred and eighty-six pharmacists (about 8% of the invited ones) responded to the survey. Ten pharmacists reported a positive result to the serological test. Of the subjects who presented a positive result, three declared that they had not used a hand sanitizer, while two stated that they had not scheduled the cleaning and decontamination of surfaces. Two interviewees had not set up a system of quota restrictions on admissions. In four cases, a certified cleaning company had decontaminated the premises. The results of our study show that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the most pressing challenge for community pharmacists has been the protection of staff and clients inside the pharmacy; the challenge to be faced in the near future will probably be the management of new responsibilities.

The Particularities of Pharmaceutical Care in Improving Public Health Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…On 24 February 2020, community pharmacies in Italy received some recommendations regarding their practice during the regional critical period. On the other hand, pharmacies had to stay open, but they had to respect the social distancing, and the staff had to use personal protective equipment (PPE) [ 22 ]. In some countries (e.g., Croatia), the limited PPE supply had determined the authorities to force the pharmacies’ staff to wear face masks only after 13 July 2020 [ 23 ].…”

“…As in many countries, in Italy, paper-based prescriptions were replaced with e-prescriptions [ 22 ]. In Romania, the pharmacies were able to dispense medicines based on prescriptions transmitted by electronic means, excepting prescriptions for narcotic and psychotropic drugs [ 37 ].…”

“…Hess et al noticed that the involvement of pharmacies in COVID-19 testing played a vital public health role in mitigating the transmission of this infection [ 74 ]. On this basis, the authorities from 15 European countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK) involved pharmacists in COVID-19 testing, either by PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) or by rapid tests [ 22 , 35 ]. Moreover, in Germany pharmacists could perform rapid antigen tests for a fee and provide free FFP2 masks [ 60 ].…”

The Relationship between Customers and Community Pharmacies during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: A Survey from Italy

“…Italy was one of the first countries to be struck by this new disease and, indeed, the Italian Cabinet of Ministers had already declared a state of emergency on 31 January 2020 [ 12 ], long before the World Health Organisation classified COVID-19 as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. The country, in general, and specifically healthcare workers, faced a challenge that few had ever been called to deal with before [ 13 ].…”

“…Consequently, the only healthcare professionals freely accessible to the public were pharmacists. This led to a significant increase in the number of people entering community pharmacies to purchase products such as personal protection equipment, but also to receive clarification and information about the new disease [ 13 ].…”