Safety Practices in Community Pharmacy during COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan

Abstract

Community pharmacies play a significant role in providing medicines, vaccines, consultations, and other important health services to the public. Community pharmacies continued to provide their services during the COVID-19 pandemic in most countries around the world, and this was the case in Jordan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmacy staff needs to avoid the risk of exposure to the virus causing COVID-19 along with reducing the risk for customers. This paper summarizes the safety practices of most community pharmacies in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect staff and customers from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection. Data were collected in two folds. First, a survey was distributed online through social media targeting those pharmacists working in community pharmacies. Second, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the staff and owners of pharmacies in Jordan, asking about the procedures followed to enhance the safety practices of pharmacists. Analyzing responses revealed that since the start of the pandemic, about 94% of pharmacists were using personal protective equipment, 88% of pharmacies were frequently sterilizing the pharmacy and the main door handle, and 82% of pharmacies were providing medical masks, gloves, and alcohol at the entrance.