The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new COVID-19 safety guidelines for pharmacy staff and the public. Effective immediately anyone entering a pharmacy should wear a protective face covering, regardless of whether or not they have any symptoms. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should also be wearing a face mask at all times while in the pharmacy. In addition, some preventative services requiring face-to-face encounters will be postponed. The CDC says pharmacies play a key and vital role in supplying medicines and therapeutics, vaccines and critical health services to the public. “Ensuring continuous function of pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic is important.” Executive Vice President of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, Kate Gainer says, “Over 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy. Pharmacists are providing essential care and services along with other healthcare professionals and essential workers. Pharmacists will rise to meet the challenge of COVID-19 and continue to serve their patients and their communities.” A link to the CDC’s updated guidelines can be found below.
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CDC Pharmacy Changes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pharmacies.html
