PHARMACEUTICAL Society of Australia ACT Branch President, Renae Beardmore, is calling on the Territory's Government to fund rapid antigen tests (RATs) for community pharmacies.
The call came after ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, pledged to introduce rapid antigen testing in the Territory.
Beardmore noted that since the ACT entered its COVID-19-induced lockdown on 12 Aug, there have been 82 exposures to the virus in 37 of the jurisdiction's 82 pharmacies.
"Becoming an exposure site places huge pressure on a pharmacy," Beardmore said.
"They will often need to reduce their hours or services if their staff are required to quarantine.
"Delays in contact tracing and receiving test results add to these pressures.
"At $10 a test, this a very cheap but worthwhile investment for the ACT Government.
"Rapid antigen testing would allow asymptomatic pharmacy employees to be tested quickly, ensuring a safer workplace and maintaining community access to medicines and services.
"Achieving our vaccination targets is absolutely the first step in order for Canberra to come out of lockdown.
"However, the second crucial step is to introduce rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic Canberrans -- and pharmacies need to be prioritised.
"Pharmacists have done a great job protecting their staff and the community from exposure to COVID-19 in community pharmacy, by wearing of PPE and implementing other distancing measures.
"Rapid antigen testing now needs to play a significant role in reducing isolation periods of essential workers and identifying infection prior to onset of symptoms in high risk settings -- such as pharmacies."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Sep 21
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