The voices of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Background Community pharmacists have provided healthcare services uninterruptedly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their public health role is often overlooked. Objectives The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss the roles and the coping mechanisms of community pharmacists working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico. Methods A cross-sectional study, using an electronic survey, was conducted to assess the community pharmacists' response during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Puerto Rico. Two open-ended questions explored community pharmacist's opinions about the pharmacist's role and coping mechanisms during the pandemic. The responses were analyzed following an inductive thematic analysis. Two major themes emerged from their responses: professional and personal experiences. Results Of the 302 participants who completed the survey, 77% of them answered one or both open-ended questions. The answers were diverse, and the respondents went beyond the specific topics asked. In professional experiences , important roles as educators and providing continuity of care and emotional support to their patients were highlighted. They also expressed concerns and frustrations on the profession's shortcomings, feeling overworked yet with a lack of recognition. In personal experience s, most of the respondents were concerned about the impact of having to juggle work and home life. They also reported mental health concerns, expressing feeling stressed, overworked, and worried about the constant risk of exposure and fear of exposing their loved ones. Conclusion Community pharmacists in Puerto Rico ensured the continuation of care, provided education, and managed anxious and stressed patients. Most relied on family members to cope with the extra burden that the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of recognition created resentfulness among participants. It is essential to listen to our community pharmacists' voices to support and respond to their needs and learn from their experiences as front-line health care workers.

“We face the same risk as the other health workers”: Perceptions and experiences of community pharmacists in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…And yet, similar to findings in Pakistan [47], some participants noted that more guidance and a clearer regulatory framework are needed to support pharmacies and enable them to contribute to pandemic response efforts. Indeed, limited coordination and recognition of the important role of the private sector, including pharmacies, has been a long-standing challenge to effective PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH public health action in many countries, and has been a major shortcoming of pandemic preparedness in the past [48] and during the COVID-19 crisis [3,[49][50][51]. In a study in Puerto Rico, for example, pharmacists were resentful and outraged they were excluded from all government schemes aimed at recognizing and incentivizing essential workers and health professionals, despite providing continued service since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic [3].…”

“…Indeed, limited coordination and recognition of the important role of the private sector, including pharmacies, has been a long-standing challenge to effective PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH public health action in many countries, and has been a major shortcoming of pandemic preparedness in the past [48] and during the COVID-19 crisis [3,[49][50][51]. In a study in Puerto Rico, for example, pharmacists were resentful and outraged they were excluded from all government schemes aimed at recognizing and incentivizing essential workers and health professionals, despite providing continued service since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic [3]. In contrast, evidence suggests that countries that have engaged with the private sector, through for example, purchasing arrangements or the rapid adaptation of existing policies around the management of drug supplies [37], have been able to implement more effective COVID-19 response measures [52].…”

“…Community pharmacies are the first point of contact between clients and the health system in many countries, especially where the availability of public health services is limited [1]. As such, pharmacies across the world have played an important public health role during the COVID-19 pandemic, supplying essential medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), conducting consultations for clients with mild symptoms and referring more serious cases, delivering information on disease prevention, contributing to COVID-19 surveillance, and ensuring the continuity of care delivery [2,3]. In performing these activities however, community pharmacists may face a high risk of contracting the virus due to prolonged contact in the workplace with clients and colleagues, who may be infected [4].…”

Global overview of pharmacist and community pharmacy actions to address COVID-19: A scoping review

“…The vaccine application and testing by community pharmacists showed divergence in acceptance for the service. In addition to easy accessibility of these services to the population, some authors reported the willingness of professionals to test and immunize, contributing to the information, advertising, and promotion of vaccines, 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 while others showed dissatisfaction with this aspect, due to overload, lack of support, training, or confidence in the vaccine. 28 …”

“…The need for education and training related to COVID-19 was an important finding of the studies. 20 , 22 , 23 , 29 , 31. , 32.…”