AS the number of coronavirus cases in the state rises, Riverland pharmacies are taking additional precautions to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff members.
Berri’s Amcal pharmacy recently installed a window service for its script dispersion and collection, along with a number of other hygiene measures to minimise person-to-person contact.
Pharmacy owner Paul Nijjar said it was important to take as many precautions as possible during this unprecedented time.
“There have obviously been some teething issues initially because it’s a big change for everyone,” Mr Nijjar said.
“We’re still allowing a few people at a time into the store, but they request that (their medication) at the service counter.
“We’re trying to encourage deliveries for older people, and asking people to call ahead and leave their scripts on file until it’s ready for them to come and pick up, so it’s in and out rather than having to congregate.
“We’re also going to stop accepting cash – it’s going to be EFTPOS only.”
Mr Nijjar said all staff need to keep their distance as best as possible, and marked out Xs have been lined around the store to ensure people are social distancing if they have to wait.
The last thing Mr Nijjar said he wants to see is one of his staff members
become infected.
“The wall has been the main thing to try and minimise contact with us because our main concern is if one of the pharmacists were to get infected, it’s unprecedented in what could happen,” he said.
“Say if, for example, one of the pharmacies had to close down, where do their clientele then go?
“So, we just have to take the most precautions that we can.”
The changes – the new wall in particular – could see Mr Nijjar lose business, but he said the overwhelming support he’s received from the community, and the safety of staff and customers is most important.
“That’s the most important thing because with the wall, we are definitely going to lose business with over the counter products,” he said.
“So, we are going to feel the pinch going forward, but safety is the biggest thing.
“You still have a couple of people that are still oblivious to what’s happening – they find it as an inconvenience – but it’s (the support) been more than I thought we would get.”
Another pharmacy continuing to deliver its service while also maintaining community and staff safety is Priceline Australia’s Renmark store.
Staff at the Riverland pharmacy are taking similar measures based on the advice from SA Health, and offering hand sanitiser at the front entrance and ensuring staff continually wash their hands.
In addition, a delivery service has been made available for residents who are most vulnerable to ring ahead and order medications and shop items to be brought to them.
Both pharmacies said the most important thing was that people listen to government guidelines and not leave the house unless absolutely necessary.
“The best thing is isolation – just not going out unless they need to,” Mr Nijjar said.
“Staying home, trying to do all their activities in one trip rather than multiple, and trying to access wireless, technological ways to do things.
“Even for (Berri’s Amcal) pharmacy, using our app to order medication so that they can order and pay, even after delivery, without leaving their homes.
“We just ask people to be patient with us because we’re still learning the new measures and procedures, and we’re here to help the community.”