The pharmaceutical practice of mask distribution by pharmacists in Taiwan’s community pharmacies under the Mask Real-Name System, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Ya-Wen Lin¹  Jong-yi Wang²  Ming-hung Lin³  Che-huei Lin⁴ 

[1] Department of College Public Health, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan;School of Nursing, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan;Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan;Department of Pharmacy and Master Program, Tajen University, 90741, Pintung, Taiwan;Department of College Public Health, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan;Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan;Fulun Chain Drugstore, 54062, Nantou, Taiwan;Department of Pharmacy and Master Program, Tajen University, 90741, Pintung, Taiwan;Fulun Chain Drugstore, 54062, Nantou, Taiwan;Department of College Business Administration, National Chiayi University, 60054, Chiayi, Taiwan;

关键词: Community pharmacies;    Mask;    COVID-19;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12962-020-00239-3

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPharmacists hold to their promise to foster, implement and promote the health of the population and to prevent disease, given their knowledge, skills, and proximity to the locals. The objective of this study was to foster equality and cost-effectiveness in the distribution and sale of masks to all Taiwanese citizens, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAll 6336 special community pharmacies participating in the NHI (National Health Insurance) served as mask-selling sites. Access to masks by citizens was determined and controlled, based on the weekly rationing of the number of purchasable masks per citizen and the last digit of their NHI card number. Masks were available on different weekdays for holders of cards ending with odd and even numbers, except on Sundays, when everyone was eligible to buy a mask.ResultsImplementing the program has provided equal access to masks for all citizens across Taiwan. It has stabilized the pricing of masks and mitigated the public’s anxiety of a perceived likely market shortage.ConclusionThe community pharmacy-based approach to the distribution of prevention face masks to citizens represents a new and innovative engagement of pharmacists in public health promotion and protection initiatives. Community pharmacies can greatly improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-saving of the distribution of public health resources to local communities, especially in the face of an epidemic.

【 授权许可】

CC BY