A report published by Public Health England on June 2 said that the risk of dying among those diagnosed with COVID-19 is higher in black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups.
BAME pharmacists make up approximately 47% of the UK pharmacist workforce, according to General Pharmaceutical Council figures from September 2019. Pharmacy contractors have a duty to find out which staff are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Five of the six community pharmacy professionals identified by C+D that have sadly died of the virus were from BAME backgrounds.
Mr Williams of Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol discusses the importance of risk assessments to protect BAME pharmacy staff in C+D’s podcast with clinical editor Naimah Callachand. He says pharmacy organisations have a responsibility to make support and resources readily available to all pharmacy staff members from the BAME groups.
You can listen to the podcast below. Alternatively, subscribe to C+D's podcasts on iTunes or by searching “Chemist+Druggist podcast” on your preferred Android podcast app.
Please note, the sound quality of this podcast may be affected as it has been recorded remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak
To keep up with the latest updates for community pharmacy visit our COVID-19 hub.
