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16/11/2001
Funds allocated to upgrade security in pharmacies
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Minister Bairbre de Brún has announced a government funding package that will assist local pharmacists upgrade the current security arrangements in respect of drugs liable to abuse.
The DHSSPS and Northern Ireland Office sponsored initiative will include pharmacists being offered the opportunity to increase security with the installation of safes with a time lock delay and the installation of CCTV.
Announcing the initiative on Thursday November 15, Ms de Brún said: “Robberies at pharmacies have increased fourfold this year and some of these attacks have led to the hospitalisation of pharmacists and their staff. Additionally, there is a real fear that stolen medicines could be traded illegally on the streets, with fatal consequences.”
The upgrading of the security measures is viewed as an effective deterrent and will be offered to all pharmacists in Northern Ireland.
Welcoming the announcement the Drug and Alcohol Strategy Coordinator, Jo Daykin, said: “It was not easy to find the substantial funding required for the security upgrades but through partnership with other agencies we have succeeded and I am delighted that we are now in a position to tackle this very serious problem.”
Frank Murray, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee said: “This package will be widely appreciated by Pharmacists regionally, but particularly in Belfast. I am very grateful to the Minister and her officials, as well as the Drug and Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator, Jo Daykin, for their support, and for responding to our concerns about these distressing incidents. I look forward to the measures being put in place as soon as possible.”
The upgrading of storage cabinets in pharmacies to time lock safes and the installation of CCTV is expected to get underway immediately. (AMcE)
The DHSSPS and Northern Ireland Office sponsored initiative will include pharmacists being offered the opportunity to increase security with the installation of safes with a time lock delay and the installation of CCTV.
Announcing the initiative on Thursday November 15, Ms de Brún said: “Robberies at pharmacies have increased fourfold this year and some of these attacks have led to the hospitalisation of pharmacists and their staff. Additionally, there is a real fear that stolen medicines could be traded illegally on the streets, with fatal consequences.”
The upgrading of the security measures is viewed as an effective deterrent and will be offered to all pharmacists in Northern Ireland.
Welcoming the announcement the Drug and Alcohol Strategy Coordinator, Jo Daykin, said: “It was not easy to find the substantial funding required for the security upgrades but through partnership with other agencies we have succeeded and I am delighted that we are now in a position to tackle this very serious problem.”
Frank Murray, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee said: “This package will be widely appreciated by Pharmacists regionally, but particularly in Belfast. I am very grateful to the Minister and her officials, as well as the Drug and Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator, Jo Daykin, for their support, and for responding to our concerns about these distressing incidents. I look forward to the measures being put in place as soon as possible.”
The upgrading of storage cabinets in pharmacies to time lock safes and the installation of CCTV is expected to get underway immediately. (AMcE)
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