The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said community pharmacies will be able to order additional personal protective equipment (PPE) through the online portal.
The PPE portal had previously only been open to social care and general practice providers to order and receive critical coronavirus PPE supplies.
Community pharmacies are now being added to the system and contractors will receive an email invitation to their shared NHSmail inbox to register.
Pharmacies will be able to order 50 IIR masks, 100 aprons and 200 gloves per week, according to udated government information.
The DHSC said today that it has added ‘pharmacies’ to healthcare providers invited to order from the PPE portal which is an emergency top-up system.
Although pharmacies have been reminded to continue using their wholesaler routes to access the kits, they can use the PPE portal for additional items in an emergency.
Orders will be managed in line with Public Health England guidance and wider availability from the NHS Supply Chain’s central PPE logistic operations.
The DHSCÂ has partnered with eBay, Clipper Logistics and Royal Mail to develop this service.
All PPE offered on the portal meets UK government quality standards and will be made available free of charge.
Typically, orders will be delivered by Royal Mail within 48 hours for orders placed before 1pm or 72 hours for orders placed after 1pm.
