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Private Pharmacy Owners Association requests PCR testing for pharmacy staff
The All Island Private Pharmacy Owners Association has collected over Rs. 1 million in funds to conduct PCR (Polymerase Cain Reaction ) testing on their staff members.
Association president Chandika Gankandara said most of its 3500 members consisting of small and medium pharmacies have requested that their staff who come in direct contact with patients be granted the facility. He said that a request hasbeen made to the Health Ministry.
“We come in contact with patients every day and some of us may develop COVID-19 symptoms,” he said.
Mr. Gankandara said the Health Ministry had asked the association to forward the list of names of pharmacies who require the service, along with names of staff members, the MOH division and the districts the pharmacies are situated in.
Deputy Director General of Health (Non-Communicable Diseases) Champika Wickramasinghe confirmed that a verbal request had been made by the association. She said that a decision will be taken after discussions with Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe.