[의학신문·일간보사=김민지 기자] While the government recently announced that it will support non-contact thermometers to pharmacies nationwide, the pharmacy society is expected to minimize the spread and damage of infectious diseases for pharmacies workers and users.
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3rd, Kwang-min Lee, Head of Policy Office, Korean Pharmacy Society<사진>At the briefing of the’Pharmacy Non-Contact Thermometer Support Project’ held at the Pharmacy Association, “The essential purpose of the non-contact thermometer support project is to prevent COVID-19 infection for pharmacy workers and to recommend screening clinics for symptomatic patients visiting pharmacies.” As a result, it is expected that it will contribute to minimizing community infections by recommending COVID-19 diagnostic tests for those with high fever and abnormal body temperature through measuring the body temperature of pharmacy users.”
According to the results of the’Senior Party Government Council’ on the 28th of last month, the government announced a plan to support non-contact thermometers to pharmacies nationwide. It is aimed at encouraging the public and promoting quarantine for pharmacies nationwide that have taken the lead in quarantine activities, such as supplying public masks and initial response to suspected infections.
The project is supported by pharmacies nationwide (about 23,000 locations), and the total budget is about 8.1 billion won, leaving the National Assembly resolution process left behind after the resolution of the State Council. According to the currently passed government proposal, a certain portion (around 10% of the device purchase amount) may incur self-pays at supported pharmacies. In this regard, the pharmaceutical society plans to promote the project in a direction that minimizes self-burden.
Director Lee said, “Support for non-contact thermometers has a positive aspect of fundamental institutional changes in the mid- to long-term rather than acknowledging that pharmacists’ hard work and dedication related to the operation of public masks as a one-off.” “The urgency of the spread of infectious diseases There were not many support methods and alternatives that fit this purpose. One of the alternatives considered by the pharmacist society is a non-contact thermometer.”
“In the case of non-contact thermometers, as more and more self-diagnostic devices of consumers are increasing, it will be a part of creating awareness that pharmacies can be used. I also needed a part to protect.”
In addition, the pharmacy society plans to proceed with’open competitive bidding’ to select the place of purchase of the non-contact thermometer when a resolution is confirmed by the National Assembly.
Purchasing devices are based on products licensed as medical devices by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and a company that has a domestic distribution network that can quickly respond to pharmacy demands such as quick supply and A/S will be selected as the first contract target.
In addition, Director Lee also responded to pharmacists’ concerns about the thermometer.
“The thermometer can be installed on the pharmacy counter or on the consultation desk, so it doesn’t take up much space. It is a system that can measure the body temperature by touching the forehead or wrist, and it does not take long,” he said. “It is not mandatory to measure the body temperature for all pharmacy visitors.”
He added, “It has nothing to do with the non-contact thermometer support project of the pharmacy and the obligation to manage visitor records in accordance with administrative orders of local governments.”