IN THIS pandemic, the public is reminded to practice “social distancing” (now referred to as "physical distancing" by the World Health Organization) especially in public areas. But, no matter how often we have been advised, it can be challenging to instantaneously change our habits, and such advice can be intense and confusing to many.
In pharmacies, the distance of at least one meter is not being followed. Some people tend to be very demanding to get their medicines quickly even at the expense of other people. This, despite the reminders to stand behind the marked lines and wait patiently for their turn. What people fail to understand is some drugstores are experiencing an undesired lack of manpower due to unavoidable circumstances (such as maternity and sick leaves approved prior to the announcement of community quarantine). This is worse when there is an increased crowd volume in drugstores because people tend to buy more products. Currently, many pharmacies are experiencing a lack of supply despite efforts to ensure stocks with suppliers.
Worse, some customers think they can just buy any drug they want to, such as the case of chloroquine and hydrochloroquine, related drugs that are used to treat malaria and certain other human conditions, that have been called game changers by the US to treat Covid-19, which the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency authorization. Although the Department of Health (DOH) has recently allowed off-label drugs (or drugs for an unapproved indication) like chloroquine to be used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in hospitals, this government agency also reiterated that such drugs “are not used to prevent the disease” and are only being used in hospitals with the guidance of clinicians and doctors. In other words, these drugs are not intended for self-medication and are not bought over the counter. Unfortunately, there was already a male casualty in the United States after this man and his wife reportedly took chloroquine, which is intended to treat their aquarium fish in an attempt to prevent Covid-19. Following this event, the US FDA said chloroquine products for aquarium purposes have not been evaluated by the FDA to determine whether they are safe, effective, properly manufactured, and adequately labeled for use in fish-let alone humans.
While pharmacy employees who receive abuse can adopt maximum tolerance, they should not be endangered or discriminated, not only in their own workplace but also when they go home and return to work. Pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce (either working in pharmacies, hospitals and manufacturing firms) are frontliners, too. And they deserve equal respect and treatment as the other frontliners who are risking their lives to combat this pandemic.
The public is reminded that unrealistic demands that cause stress to the pharmacy staff; swearing, and physical violence such as pushing are not tolerable. In this time of crisis, we all need to be more understanding and patient with one another. This pandemic is not only a test of our systems and leaderships but also our values and regard to humanity. (Teresa May Bandiola)
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(Teresa May Bandiola, 29, is a licensed pharmacist, a published writer, and a university instructor at the School of Pharmacy of Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation)