Add pharmacists to virus testing priority list: RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has urged the government to prioritise Covid-19 tests for all community pharmacy teams.

The latest statement from the RPS came after it emerged that pharmacists did not feature in government's Covid-19 testing priority list. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said that health workers, care home workers, and school children and their parents should get priority for the virus tests.

Commenting on the rising workload on community pharmacies amid pandemic, RPS president Sandra Gidley said: “It’s concerning that pharmacists and support staff are telling us they’re struggling to access a test for Covid-19 when they need one.

“Pharmacists are working hard on the frontline of Covid-19 deserve all the support we can give them.

“With rising number of cases and a potential second spike in the run up to winter, the government must prioritise tests for all pharmacists and staff delivering NHS services, including community pharmacy teams.”

Gidley said the RPS has raised the issue with the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care to prioritise pharmacists' Covid-19 testing.

Fixing testing system will take weeks

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday (September 15) that fixing the system for the Covid-19 testing would take weeks.

"The UK aims to conduct millions of Covid-19 tests a day. However, millions of tests will depend on new technology that's being developed," Hancock said.

“We do have a goal to get to the millions of tests a day when we can, it’s dependent on new technology,” Hancock told lawmakers.

A steep rise in demand for Covid-19 tests has caused for severe test kits shortage. Many people who opted for the tests are being asked to visit the test sites hundreds of miles away from their residence.