Pharmacies urge islanders to be patient

Tuesday 17 March 2020

Jersey pharmacies are urging islanders to be “patient” as they battle to ensure vulnerable people are able to receive prescriptions for essential medication amid the covid-19 pandemic.

They are currently prioritising issuing ‘rescue packs’ to islanders with pre-existing health conditions, but say they’re also experiencing “unprecedented demand” for items including paracetamol, hand sanitiser and thermometers.

Jersey Chemist Contractors – a body representing local pharmacies –said that local medical stores are “working tirelessly to ensure that everyone’s needs will be met” over the coming days and want islanders to be respectful of the measures they’ve put in place to ensure no one is left without.

“….Where a patient is presenting prescriptions for more than one month’s supply of medication, they will initially be issued with one month’s supply, with the remainder to follow in due course.  This is to ensure that hospital admissions are not created due to some patients being unable to obtain their regular medication, whilst others may have several months of that medication in hand,” a spokesperson explained.

Pictured: Chemists are saying there is "unprecedented" demand for products like hand sanitiser.

“Pharmacists are also requesting that due to the unprecedented demand, patients need to be prepared to call back for their prescriptions or send a trusted family member or friend.  Identification may be requested as medicines are not normal items of commerce and patient confidentiality is an important consideration.”

They added that plans are being put in place to ensure island-wide delivery of medication to patients in self-isolation, and due to be announced shortly.

Jersey Chemist Contractors explained that some pharmacies will need to vary their opening hours in order to restock their shop and dispensary areas, as well as cleaning.

They ask that islanders refer to the gov.je website for further information or each pharmacy’s website or social media pages for more information rather than calling.

“Please only call individual outlets if… your call is urgent, as this removes frontline and dispensary staff from their vital work.”