Business changes due to COVID-19 will 'outlast disease,' survey says
By HME News Staff
Updated Wed June 3, 2020
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Sixty one percent of community pharmacists expect to offer point-of-care testing for various illnesses, including COVID-19 when it becomes available, according to a new survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they didn't offer this testing prior to the pandemic. “Pharmacies have adapted to the crisis in ways that may outlast the disease,” said Brian Caswell, president of the NCPA and owner of Wolkar Drug. Many of the operational changes that pharmacies have adopted in response to the pandemic will also last, the NCPA found. Sixty one percent of respondents say consumer demand for online products will remain high even after the pandemic abates, and 82% say they plan to continue home delivery and curbside service. “Our pharmacy, like most local pharmacies, offered same-day delivery before the pandemic,” Caswell said. “We doubled our delivery service and started curbside service to keep our patients and employees safe. Most local pharmacists think those are services that consumers will value after the national emergency fades.” Another finding: Almost 40% of respondents believe telehealth will expand.
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