- A new survey has revealed that pharmacy staff across the UK are facing "escalating abuse" from patients, including racist attacks, verbal assaults, and physical violence.
- Findings from Community Pharmacy England indicate that approximately one in five pharmacy owners report verbal abuse as a daily occurrence, with over half experiencing it in the last six months.
- Physical assaults, though less frequent, were reported by 6 per cent of pharmacies, with incidents ranging from strangulation and pushing to knife attacks and thrown objects.
- The abuse has a significant impact on staff, affecting morale, retention, and safety, with one pharmacy manager reportedly taking early retirement after an assault.
- Organisations are urging for enhanced protection for frontline pharmacy workers, a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, and better support from the police and NHS, similar to other primary care services.
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