Response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community pharmacy of a University Center for Primary Care and Public Health

Aline Bourdin; Jennifer Dotta-Celio; Anne Niquille; Jérôme Berger

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.06.010

Response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community pharmacy of a University Center for Primary Care and Public Health

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2022 Apr;18(4):2706-2710. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.06.010. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Authors

Aline Bourdin¹, Jennifer Dotta-Celio¹, Anne Niquille², Jérôme Berger³

Affiliations

¹ Community Pharmacy, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
² Community Pharmacy, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland.
³ Community Pharmacy, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: jerome.berger@unisante.ch.

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists played a key role during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: they contributed to preventing transmission and to maintaining continuity of primary care.

Objectives: To present the contributions of a Swiss pharmacy of an academic outpatient care department (Unisanté) to the prevention of COVID-19 transmission and the precautionary measures plan implemented as well as to evaluate the impact of Swiss semicontainment on its pharmacy services.

Methods: Contributions to COVID-19 transmission prevention and the precautionary measures plan are described. The impact on pharmacy services was measured by quantitative comparison before, during and after semicontainment.

Results: The pharmacy supplied protective equipment to the population and to liberal healthcare professionals and provided COVID-19 recommendations to patients and community pharmacies. The precautionary measures plan implemented required a reorganization of the premises, facilities, staff operation and pharmacy services. Semicontainment had a strong impact on pharmacy services; however, clinical bonds with patients and other healthcare professionals were maintained. Unseen negative impacts may exist and need to be investigated.

Conclusions: Although innovative solutions remain to be developed to guarantee continuous and secure remote communication with patients, this pandemic was an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility, benefit and importance of community pharmacy services.

Keywords: Containment/lockdown; Coronavirus/COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2; Pharmaceutical care; Pharmacists; Pharmacy; Pharmacy services.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Community Pharmacy Services*
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control
Pharmacies*
Pharmacists
Primary Health Care
Professional Role
Public Health
SARS-CoV-2
Universities