Resident questions Douglas Shire pharmacies' opening hours, advocates for changes
A local resident has questioned the opening hours of local pharmacies suggesting a potential re-think could and should be considered so people can get much needed last-minute scripts and access to urgent medications.
The call comes after the resident took to social media to advocate her point that one of the six local pharmacies in the Douglas Shire might be well placed to think about opening past 6pm.
“Please tell me I’m not alone in this thought process,” the poster, Kate Jesseca wrote.
“What can be done? I feel like the community isn’t getting the access to meet the needs.
“Bottom line is people get sick and need items outside business hours so why not make them available outside of 8am-6pm.
“Other states have all night pharmacies in big cities and smaller towns are open until 9pm and start at 6am.”
The poster explained that in recent times she had approached one local business to gauge their feedback about the matter.
“I’ve already spoken to one pharmacy owner in Port and post COVID they aren’t restoring the older late night and early hours due to not being able to find an extra pharmacist to be on duty,” she said.
“The demand is there though and it’s a basic community need and essential service that been taken away.”
The poster also respectfully reiterated that local pharmacies continue to provide amazing service across the Douglas Shire and that her query was solely an hours of business discussion.
What do you think? Do you think we need selected pharmacies in our Shire to potentially re-visit their opening hours to possibly start earlier and open later?