Latest news and stories about pharmacy in Portugal for expats and residents.
Pharmacists are urging the advancement of initiatives that would allow them to provide treatment for minor health issues directly within pharmacies.
Pharmacists are seeking permission to treat minor, short-term cases, claiming they are qualified to do so. They further add that this would reduce the burden on healthcare demand.
Paulo Teixeira, from Pfizer Portugal and vice-president of Apifarma, warns, however, that for now there is no “immediate risk” that justifies “great alarm” regarding the lack of medicines in Portuguese pharmacies.
Community pharmacies dispensed 118 million packs of generics last year.
The model aims to identify issues such as medication duplication.
In Leiria, Memória is the name of a parish where a pharmacy remains open despite having no electricity. Behind the counter is 82-year-old Maria, who continues to serve customers.
The reporting team on site heard from Mrs Maria, 82, who, without an electricity supply, has kept her pharmacy running.
More than half of those surveyed by NOVA SBE used self-medication. Researchers warn of the risk of inappropriate medicines kept at home, especially antibiotics, and propose clear guidelines.
