Community pharmacies continue facing daily abuse amid medicines supply pressures
BBC Morning Live
Community pharmacy teams continue to face unacceptable levels of abuse and aggression amid ongoing medicine supply issues and wider pressures on pharmacy.
These issues were highlighted in a BBC Morning Live report today, which referenced key findings from our polling of the sector and included an interview with Dervis Gurol, our Independent Representative Committee member. In his interview, Dervis shared first-hand experiences of verbal and physical threats towards him and his pharmacy team, including items being brandished and thrown at staff.
Today we shared the statement below with the national press, condemning the abuse pharmacy staff continue to be subjected to, calling for stronger protections and further action to address ongoing medicine supply challenges.
Our CEO, Janet Morrison, said:
“We are still hearing from pharmacy owners who tell us that abuse and aggression from the public remain a daily challenge for their teams. This is totally unacceptable. Like everyone who works in the NHS, pharmacy teams should never face abuse, racism, discrimination, threats or violence simply for doing their jobs.
Medicine supply problems can be a trigger for aggression and we absolutely understand the frustration and anxiety they can cause for patients. Pharmacy teams are working flat out to resolve issues that are well beyond their control to ensure that everyone can receive the medicines they need, when they need them.
We want to see steps taken to further strengthen the resilience of the medicines supply chain, as well as stronger protective measures in place to ensure that pharmacies remain safe places for everyone who works in them.”
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