Community Pharmacy Practice in Italy during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Regulatory Changes and a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Seroprevalence

Francesca Baratta, Giulio Mario Visentin, Lorenzo Ravetto Enri, Marco Parente, Irene Pignata, Francesco Venuti, Giovanni Di Perri and Paola Brusa
Additional contact information
Francesca Baratta: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
Giulio Mario Visentin: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
Lorenzo Ravetto Enri: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
Marco Parente: Turin Pharmacy Owners Association “Federfarma”, Via Sant’Anselmo14, 10125 Turin, Italy
Irene Pignata: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
Francesco Venuti: Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, C.so Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy
Giovanni Di Perri: Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, C.so Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy
Paola Brusa: Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: Pharmacists in the community and the essential requirement to safeguard their own health have become fundamental since the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aims of this paper were (I) to analyze the directives provided to pharmacists in 2020 regarding preventative safety measures to be adopted; (II) to determine the number of pharmacists who came into contact with SARS-CoV-2 in North-West Italy and relate this to the adopted preventative measures. The first aim was pursued by conducting a bibliographic research, consulting the principal regulatory sources. The second one was achieved with an observational study by administering a questionnaire and performing a serological test. The various protection measures imposed by national and regional legislation were analyzed. Two hundred and eighty-six pharmacists (about 8% of the invited ones) responded to the survey. Ten pharmacists reported a positive result to the serological test. Of the subjects who presented a positive result, three declared that they had not used a hand sanitizer, while two stated that they had not scheduled the cleaning and decontamination of surfaces. Two interviewees had not set up a system of quota restrictions on admissions. In four cases, a certified cleaning company had decontaminated the premises. The results of our study show that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the most pressing challenge for community pharmacists has been the protection of staff and clients inside the pharmacy; the challenge to be faced in the near future will probably be the management of new responsibilities.

Keywords: community pharmacies; pharmacists; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Italy; seroprevalence; safety measures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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