The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey, has praised community pharmacists and their staff affected by the floods in Queensland and NSW.
“We know some have lost their practices and/or homes and our thoughts go out to them,” Professor Twomey said.
“But in times of crisis pharmacists have always risen to the occasion and even those pharmacies severely hit by the floods have immediately sought ways to get back into their pharmacies and help their patients.
“Colleagues have also helped out with supplies and providing staff for pharmacies whose staff have been cut off.”
Professor Twomey said pharmacies had gone above and beyond to try to get medicines to their patients.
“Despite being cut off from supply chains they have negotiated with other pharmacies to try to secure essential supplies,” he said.
“They have also gone to great lengths to get to their pharmacies and open their doors to communities affected by the floods.
“Their resilience is the stuff of legends.
“We have seen examples of pharmacists hitching rides on jet skis and negotiating forest fire breaks to get to their pharmacies because access roads were cut.”
Professor Twomey said the commitment of pharmacists and their staff to patients was a hallmark of the profession.
“But that makes it no less outstanding,” he said.
“These people have often ignored their own predicaments to help others.
“And they have been supported by the Guild and their colleagues.
“As usual the pharmacy profession has acted – and continues to act - as one to help the communities they serve.
“I salute you all.”
