Response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community pharmacy of a University Center for Primary Care and Public Health

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists played a key role during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: they contributed to preventing transmission and to maintaining continuity of primary care. OBJECTIVES: To present the contributions of a Swiss pharmacy of an academic outpatient care department (Unisanté) to the prevention of COVID-19 transmission and the precautionary measures plan implemented as well as to evaluate the impact of Swiss semicontainment on its pharmacy services. METHODS: Contributions to COVID-19 transmission prevention and the precautionary measures plan are described. The impact on pharmacy services was measured by quantitative comparison before, during and after semicontainment. RESULTS: The pharmacy supplied protective equipment to the population and to liberal healthcare professionals and provided COVID-19 recommendations to patients and community pharmacies. The precautionary measures plan implemented required a reorganization of the premises, facilities, staff operation and pharmacy services. Semicontainment had a strong impact on pharmacy services; however, clinical bonds with patients and other healthcare professionals were maintained. Unseen negative impacts may exist and need to be investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Although innovative solutions remain to be developed to guarantee continuous and secure remote communication with patients, this pandemic was an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility, benefit and importance of community pharmacy services.