From a potential reduction in employment opportunities, to having to manage the expectations (and misunderstandings) of the general public, pharmacists on the front line will have a lot to deal with, Dunkley tells AJP Podcast host Carlene McMaugh.

“We’re already seeing some impacts on frontline staff when members of the public have actually…incited others to complain to pharmacies and make a fuss, and tell them to take down the signage, and stop running the petitions, and things like that,” she said.

“We’re already seeing pharmacists and pharmacy staff who are going to work and receiving unpleasant behaviour and abuse from members of the public, because of the introduction of 60-day dispensing and the campaigns around that.”

Dunkley said she is “very concerned” for pharmacists’ wellbeing as a result of the move – and points out that a “wide range” of pharmacists had been in touch with the PSS, sparking a sudden rise in calls.

She discusses the problems patients may face as a result of double dispensing, including confusion as scripts run out over different times – and has advice for pharmacists who want to protect themselves and their staff.

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