Prescriptions during the pandemic

Deewash Shrestha - June 2, 2021

Despite a fear of contracting the coronavirus, pharmacists have stayed open, providing essential services during the lockdown.

Frontline health workers have been the heroes of this pandemic. Ever since Covid-19 struck the world in 2019, doctors, nurses, technicians, ambulance drivers, sanitation staff, and others have been working round-the-clock to save lives amid dire conditions. One group of frontline healthcare workers, however, has been largely forgotten -- pharmacists.

As the second Covid-19 wave struck Nepal and the country went into lockdown, doctors advised citizens to stay home and not visit the hospital for minor symptoms as healthcare institutions were fast getting overwhelmed. At these times, pharmacists provided medical advice and over-the-counter medication. During the lockdown, pharmacies stayed open and workers continued to provide services to both coronavirus and non-coronavirus patients, despite the ever-present threat of infection.

The Record spent a day at Chabahil and Boudha, observing pharmacists fulfill prescriptions, provide medication, and give advice for non-serious ailments. Here is a glimpse of what life is like for a pharmacy under lockdown.

The New Boudha Pharmacy in Boudha has been operating for 30 years. It is now open from 7am in the morning to 9pm at night.

Fifty-nine-year-old Mukunda Krishna Shrestha is a licenced pharmacist who has been working longer hours than usual during the lockdown.

According to Shrestha, most people come to his shop for zinc tablets, vitamin supplements, and paracetamol.

“We are as scared about the virus as others, but we have no option than to do our job,” said 55-year-old, Mahendra Shrestha, who is also a pharmacist at the New Boudha Pharmacy.

People wait for their medical supplies at the other end of a mirror shield. Both Mukunda and Mahendra have been vaccinated with the Covishield vaccine.

A customer waits for their medication through a small window put in place due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nepal Police personnel conduct frequent patrols to make sure the prohibitory orders are being followed. Apart from pharmacies, all the other shops are currently closed.

Deewash Shrestha Deewash Shrestha is a student of Media Studies at Kathmandu University School of Arts. He can be reached via email: [email protected]

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Prescriptions during the pandemic

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