Representative bodies for the UK's pharmacists ask for public's understanding and patience in light of shortage of lateral flow test kit supplies

The National Pharmacy Association and Company Chemists' Association have written an open letter to the public asking them to be 'patient, courteous and safe'.

Bodies representing pharmacists across the UK point out that all healthcare workers, including the UK's 14,000 pharmacy teams, 'are doing everything they can to help the country through this tough winter period'.

The letter asks that the public treat their pharmacists with patience and courtesy.

They point out that pharmacies have distributed nearly 300 million lateral flow test kits, but the current supply is not enough to meet demand.

As a result the representative body of all pharmacists has asked the Government to inform the public of supply problems or guarantee the stock. Either way, they point out, 'it is unfair...for pharmacists to be put in a position of rationing stock'.

The letter also points out that the 16-digit code which is sent when you order a lateral flow test kit is no guarantee that one will be available. It is there to monitor pharmacy distribution.

The letter says: 'We would rather it was not required, but that is the system we currently have to work with'.

Pharmacists have also delivered nearly 17 million covid jabs as well as providing their usual service.

The letter asks that the public do not put pharmacists at risk by wearing masks, unless exempt, to order their repeat prescriptions well ahead in order to give the pharmacist more time to prepare them and to show the same courtesy they would expect others to show to them.