The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – NSW Branch, has today welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government that police can now issue a $5,000 on-the-spot fine to anyone who coughs or spits on public officials, including pharmacists and pharmacy assistants during the COVID-19 health crisis.
The new measures have been introduced in response to the abhorrent acts of abuse and violence by some individuals in recent weeks which has put frontline healthcare workers’ lives in danger.
President of the Pharmacy Guild of NSW, David Heffernan praised NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, for acting decisively to help protect frontline health care workers.
“The majority of Australians are complying with the government’s COVID-19 response restrictions and doing the right thing, the measures are working,” he said.
“However, in recent weeks, just by doing their job, pharmacists have been abused, punched, spat on, and even had medicine bottles thrown at them by a tiny minority.
“This disgusting behaviour needs to stop. It is un-Australian. I applaud Minister Hazzard, and the state government for stepping up and taking the firmest stance yet to help protect frontline healthcare workers.
“Community pharmacists and their staff are working tirelessly around the clock to put patients and community needs first, often under stressful and difficult conditions on the frontline since the COVID-19 crisis began, and we will be here until the end.
“These welcome new measures send a clear message that frontline healthcare workers deserve to be treated with respect and that aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated,” said Mr Heffernan.
