An ‘initial funding package’ of £5.5m in extra cash has been made available to community pharmacies in Scotland to support them during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The funding, which is being given over and above the global sum for the sector, was announced today by Scottish health secretary Jeanne Freeman.

Ms Freeman said the money would help with the surge in activity pharmacies were seeing in terms of dispensing volume and patient consultations, and would help cover the costs of safety equipment, social distancing measures and staffing.

It follows a previous commitment to give pharmacies three times their usual base payment at the end of April in the form of an advance from the global sum.

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) welcomed the announcement of new funding but stressed that it was an “initial” measure and further support would be needed for a sector that has acted as “the real frontline” in primary care in recent weeks.

Request to open on Easter

Ms Freeman said that because of the Covid-19 crisis she had taken the “unusual step” of asking pharmacies to stay open on Good Friday and Easter Monday “where it is possible to do so”.

“I can confirm that the Scottish Government will meet in full any necessary additional costs incurred by community pharmacies in supporting the NHS at this time,” she said, adding that the sector had responded “positively” to her request.

CPS commented: “While the Easter opening ask is one that will be difficult for pharmacy teams anticipating a break after a number of challenging weeks, it does underline the importance of community pharmacy teams up and down the country.”

‘A central part of primary care’

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily Covid-19 briefing, Ms Freeman thanked community pharmacy teams for their “incredible hard work” in supplying medicines and caring for the public during the pandemic.

“Community pharmacies are very much a central part of our primary and community healthcare workforce and services… they are in many ways where most of us will secure that healthcare and support that we need.”

With growing reports of abuse against pharmacy staff, Ms Freeman urged the public to be patient during an “unprecedented time for the NHS,” saying pharmacies “need your support” as much as any other part of the health service.

This article has been updated with comment from Community Pharmacy Scotland's Harry McQuillan since it was first published.