Pharmacies need the public’s help

The public are being asked to help reduce the pressure on GP practices and community pharmacies by not requesting repeat prescriptions before they are due.

Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic GP practices and community pharmacies are experiencing a significant increase in demand for their services.

This has included patients requesting repeat prescriptions before they are due, ordering items ‘just in case’ and seeking general information.

George Lindsay, chief pharmacist of primary care with NHS Lanarkshire said: “We understand patients are worried that they may not be able to pick up their prescription if they are self-isolating. However, there are alternative methods of collection and delivery of prescriptions, which include asking your friends and family to help out.

“Requesting repeat prescriptions before they are due is an unnecessary added pressure on practice staff and pharmacies, and it is having an adverse effect on the reliability of the service.

“Many pharmacies are experiencing extreme demand with patients queuing in the pharmacies and outside and this presents a further infection risk for everyone.

“Pharmacists are having to close their doors to manage these risks which is completely unprecedented, but an entirely necessary health and safety response. We’ve had cases of older people waiting outside pharmacies in long queues and there is no need for this if normal prescription ordering patterns can be restored.