27 June 2002
PHARMACIES INCREASE SECURITY WITH HELP FROM DE BRÚN
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Ms Bairbre de Brún, has provided support to improve the security of pharmacies here, with the installation of safes in their premises.
Due to a spate of armed robberies in pharmacies, especially in the Belfast area, the Minister announced a funding package to assist community pharmacists upgrade the current security arrangements in respect of medicines liable to abuse.
Such medicines in pharmacies will now be protected by being stored in safes with special time delay locks, which cannot be over-ridden by staff members.
Speaking about the Department backed initiative Ms de Brún said: "I am confident that the new security measures put in place will go a long way to deterring the criminal element from these robberies. Pharmacies provide a front line service to the local community and it is essential that patients have access, especially when they are in need of vital medication. Pharmacists and their staff who deliver this essential service must also be allowed to work free from the fear of attack."
Pharmacies have been forced to increase security at their premises after regular targeting by armed thieves stealing prescription medicines, which have a market value on the street as part of the illicit drugs scene. Pharmacists and their staff have been terrorised in recent months, and two pharmacies had to close temporarily as members of staff were traumatised to such an extent they were unable to continue with their work.
Misuse of Drugs Inspector, Dr Michael Mawhinney said: "I would hope that the introduction of these measures will contribute significantly to a more secure environment for pharmacists and to a substantial reduction in the quantity of prescription medicines being diverted for illegal use on the streets."
Praising the initiative, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee, Mr Frank Murray and President of the Ulster Chemists Association, Ms Siobhan O’Reilly said: "We warmly welcome this assistance from the Minister and her Department and are confident it will help end these type of incidents."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Further information is available from:
Mr Terry Hannawin, Chief Executive of the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee, telephone 028 9032 0787.
The security upgrade initiative will draw on funding from the Drug Campaign, the NIO, the Drug and Alcohol Strategy Team of DHSSPS, as well as contributions from each pharmacist shop.
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