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Coronavirus: Pharmacists and patients 'at risk as protective equipment supplies diminish'

Pharmacists risk contracting coronavirus and infecting patients if they are not issued with personal protective equipment (PPE), the NHS has been warned.

A diminished supply of equipment such as masks, gloves and aprons during the COVID-19 outbreak places an unnecessary level of danger on pharmacists and could endanger the lives of many at-risk customers, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) said.

Robbie Turner, RPS director of pharmacy, said pharmacists have been told to buy PPE from wholesalers, which have been either out of stock or more expensive than usual.

He said: "Pharmacies should not be having to go out and buy protection to keep them safe - this should be supplied by the NHS.

"Without it, pharmacists are being needlessly put at risk."

NHS guidance currently says gloves and aprons should be used by pharmacists in high street stores while in close contact with patients.

A 24-hour hotline for queries about the supply and distribution of PPE has been set up by the NHS.