Sheffield customers urged to support local chemists during crisis

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies says many GP surgeries have closed their doors while triaging via phone, but pharmacies have remained frontline, offering business as usual.

It has launched a campaign encouraging people to shop at their independent chemist and customers have been asked to show their support by designing rainbow posters to display in shop windows.

It comes as Tajinder Singh, of Totley Pharmacy, warns many independent chemists could close if people continued to shop at supermarkets.

Leyla Hannbeck, AIMP chief executive, said: “Pharmacy teams have gone above and beyond to serve their local communities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The threats of contamination, the uncertainties around personal protective equipment and its sporadic availability has all added to staff's anxiety, who have naturally been fearful of contracting the virus.

“Patients in isolation relied upon their community pharmacy teams to obtain vital medicines and deliver the medication to their front door.

"The crisis has crystallised the role of community pharmacy, it is without doubt part of the very fabric to people’s lives.

"We have had so many stories of how pharmacists have gone above and beyond during Covid-19 and the poster campaign is just one way patients have been able to show their appreciation."

The posters will then be sent to MPs, the Government and the Prime Minister to show pharmacies have been there for local communities during the pandemic.

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