The real impact of COVID-19 on community pharmacy professionals as part of the primary health care frontier workforce in Spain

Abstract

Context: Spain was at the epicenter of the pandemic. Health centers across Spanish territory were not able to respond to non-emergency enquiries, leaving community pharmacies as the first point of patient’s contact. Aims: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental and physical health of community pharmacy teams across Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with community pharmacy professionals throughout Spain. A questionnaire designed by our collaborator from the United Kingdom was adapted to the Spanish population and launched between October 2020 and February 2021. Results: A total of 98 participants responded to the questionnaire. The survey showed an 80% increase in workload. The pandemic had negatively impacted the well-being of community pharmacy professionals. The survey indicated a national shortage of medicines and personal protective equipment across Spain, particularly during the first peak. To adapt to this pandora’s box of COVID-19, 96% of the pharmacies changed their settings to improve patients and staff’s safety. Most of these changes were self-financed by the pharmacy owner. The pharmacists kept up to date with information released from the pharmacists’ college, General Pharmaceutical Council and the Spanish Society of Community Pharmacists. The Public domain purchased more (79%) immune booster supplements. Conclusions: Community pharmacy professionals have faced tremendous mental, physical and professional pressure in providing adequate personal protective equipment and medication supply to their communities. They have provided more pharmaceutical services during the crisis, although they have not been recognized as essential workers by the healthcare system.

Global overview of pharmacist and community pharmacy actions to address COVID-19: A scoping review

“…The shortage of safety equipment, antiseptics, disinfectants, dietetic products, supplements, and medicines were reported in most of the selected studies. 10 , 17. , 18.…”

“…Despite the above findings, many authors also identified concerns regarding the fear and misinformation of professionals about the health outcomes in the face of the virus, lack of training or lack of time for health education of patients and search for updates on the world scene, in addition to the efforts to identify and combat false news. 17 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 32 , 39 , 43 Nevertheless, high basic knowledge on the questions related to transmission, drugs, preventive measures, testing, and duration of quarantine was established, indicating that most of the study samples had knowledge about the general information on COVID-19. 10 , 17.…”

“… 17 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 32 , 39 , 43 Nevertheless, high basic knowledge on the questions related to transmission, drugs, preventive measures, testing, and duration of quarantine was established, indicating that most of the study samples had knowledge about the general information on COVID-19. 10 , 17. , 18.…”

“…These measures included structural adjustments, reorganization of the work flow, and strict hygiene protocols. 10 , 12 , 14 , 17. , 18.…”

A Scoping Review on the Expected Role of Community Pharmacists in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Across OECD Countries

“…28,31) (의약품 조제를 제 외하면) 대면으로 이루어지던 서비스가 줄어들거나 중단되었 으며, 28,32) 연구에 참여한 약국종사자들은 이러한 상호작용의 축소로 발생하는 코로나19 또는 의약품 관련 오정보에 대해 우려를 나타내었다. 27,28,31,[35][36][37]39,45) 상담시간 및 상담 내용의 포괄성을 평가한 한 연구는 약사가 유용한 정보제공자임을 보고하였다. an increase in customer traffic to their pharmacy 81% an increase in being asking relevant questions with flu-like symptoms before signposting them to the appropriate care 75% willing to offer their assistance for mass testing of Covid-19 53%…”