Community pharmacy services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from providers and policy makers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Readily accessible to the public, community pharmacies (CPs) were placed under increased pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In England, dispensing volume increased by 25% between February and March 2020. This followed a decade of stagnant government funding, which has been attributed to CP closures. If another pandemic emerged, the reduced number of CPs may face increased pressures.

Objective

To explore CP service provision in England throughout the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of providers and policy makers, including what can be learned in preparation for any future pandemic.

Methods

CP providers (n = 10) and policy makers (n = 6) were interviewed via telephone between June and September 2021. Interviews were transcribed and t

SUBMITTER: Warr H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10582732 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature