Local people across Forth Valley are being asked to help reduce pressure on local pharmacies by not requesting their repeat prescriptions before they are due and only ordering what they need. This will help avoid any potential shortages and ensure there’s enough medication for everyone.

Many pharmacies across Forth Valley are now operating reduced hours and details of current opening hours are clearly displayed in each pharmacy window. Pharmacies have also put in place a number of social distancing measures to help protect their staff and other customers. This means people may have to wait a bit longer to be served and some prescriptions may also take a little longer than usual to be processed

Scott Mitchell, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Pharmacy, said “Staff working in local pharmacies across Forth Valley are seeing high levels of demand and are working extremely hard to support local people and their NHS colleagues at this challenging time.

“We urge local people to help by only ordering what they need, respecting the measures in place to reduce the risk of infection, using their local pharmacy services responsibly and being patient and kind to frontline staff.”

Like all other healthcare facilities, those with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should not visit their local pharmacy. Healthcare information and advice is available at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus and anyone whose symptoms worsen or have not improved after 7 days should contact NHS 24 on 111.