In a video posted on Twitter yesterday (March 29), Mr Johnson said “how important it is that our pharmacists are not only dispensing vital medicines but also very often reassurance to the customers they interact with” during the virus outbreak.

He also thanked “everybody in our NHS”, as well as those in the private sector who “help to keep the country going”, but said he wanted to single out pharmacists “in particular”.

“Thank you to our wonderful pharmacists for everything that you are doing,” Mr Johnson said.

Thanks to everyone who has been staying at home.

By delaying the spread of the disease we can reduce the pressure on our NHS, and that's how we hope to save many thousands of lives.#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/kxdqItMYSE

— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 29, 2020

Mr Johnson said last Friday (March 27) he is showing “mild symptoms” of the virus so is working from home while self-isolating.

The Prime Minister’s statement follows pharmacists expressing their disappointment earlier this month after they were not explicitly named in a government list naming “key workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hancock applauds pharmacists

In a press conference last Tuesday, health secretary Matt Hancock also thanked pharmacists for their work under pressure during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Not just the doctors and nurses who normally get mentioned, but the pharmacists, the paramedics, the managers and all [NHS] staff across the board,” he said.

“You are the front line in this war against this virus, and we all pay tribute to you. You’re going to give your all over the next few weeks and I want you to know that we salute you.”