PRESS RELEASE
The Romanian Association of Pharmaceutical Distributors and Retailers (ADRFR):
Anti-COVID-19 testing in the pharmacies by trained and qualified personnel is an important step towards the mass-testing of the population
Bucharest, 31 March 2021. In the context of increasing the accessibility of the population to rapid testing in the pharmacies for detecting the infections with COVID-19, as part of the effort to increase the testing among the population, the members of The Romanian Association of Pharmaceutical Distributors and Retailers (ADRFR) are ready to ensure rapid antigen testing in the pharmacies by trained and qualified personnel.
We appreciate that there was constant dialogue with the authorities throughout this period to increase the testing capacity and the access of the population to rapid tests available in the pharmacies for the detection of the infections with COVID-19, as part of the effort of the authorities to increase the testing among the population of Romania. In this context, we acknowledge that the pharmaceutical staff needs to be trained for the screening of the population for the infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, within a regulated framework, under the supervision of the Health Ministry and with the support of the Public Health Directorates (DSPs), and of the College of Romanian Pharmacists.
“From the beginning of the pandemic, 15.000 pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants have assumed an important role in the front-line to support the population, despite the constant exposure to the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, being the first health specialists to whom patients turn. We are prepared to be part of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing population program performed by trained personnel, an activity which already runs successfully in many European countries that set an example of best practice at international level in France, Italy, Germany and Spain " Iulian Trandafir, President of A.D.R.F.R. stated.
In addition to the successful implementation in other European countries of rapid testing in pharmacies for the detection of Covid infections, we believe that proximity and accessibility as health professionals, as well as the high level of continued professional education of Romania's pharmacists are basic elements that will improve the population's access to rapid t and efficient testing.