Actions of the medicines information centre in the COVID-19 crisis

ABSTRACT

Background: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 has led to a health crisis situation in which all healthcare sector have set up information mechanisms aimed at their own professionals, as well as the population. Among them, the General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain has carried out different actions to improve knowledge of the pandemic. Purpose(s) Ensuring that the General Council conveys the information to pharmacists, other health professionals and patients. Method(s) The General Council has set up a specific information centre on COVID-19, aimed at centralising the information activities carried out in this area, such as direct resolution of queries from professionals and the general public, publication of technical reports, creation of an information website, issuance of official communications or production of information videos. Result(s) Since the outbreak of the crisis, a total of 198 queries have been received;35% were from Provincial Pharmacists' Chambers, 51% from pharmacists, and 14% from other professionals and citizens. The most consulted topics were about prevention of contagion through hydroalcoholic solutions, use of masks and action procedure in community pharmacy. Conclusion(s) The General Council has positioned itself as an information reference for this health crisis management. The implementation of a landline for telephone queries and real concerns allowed the information issued to be tailored to the demands of health professionals and citizens.