Prince Charles has paid tribute to the ‘dedication and professionalism’ of pharmacy staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

At a reception, hosted at St James’s Palace last night (4 May) to mark the recent centenary of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the Prince of Wales highlighted the ‘marvellous work’ pharmacies do in communities day in and day out’.  

At the event, the Prince met 200 pharmacists, pharmacy staff and health representatives, the NPA said.   

Reflecting on the sector’s work during the pandemic, Prince Charles said: ‘Over this unbelievably harrowing period, you, ladies and gentlemen have kept vulnerable people supplied with medicines, played a key part in the NHS vaccination programme.’ 

The Prince said pharmacies were a ‘familiar fixture’ in the nation’s high streets and neighborhoods and ‘reflected’ modern Britain in ‘all its splendid diversity’. 

‘As well as providing prompt access to advice and treatment, of course, the great thing is you are also a friendly and reassuring presence in our communities.   

‘A place where science, as it were, meets society.   As I have said once before, pharmacies are about people and places, not just pills,’ he added.  

The sector took to social media to post photos of the event.  

https://twitter.com/pharmthorrun/status/1521930566739890177 

https://twitter.com/reeyah1/status/1522184248035360768 

A few months after the Covid first reached the UK, the royal family paid thanks to pharmacists and pharmacies around the world for the work they have been doing throughout the pandemic. 

In a tweet, the royal family said: ‘This #ThankfulThursday, we are paying tribute to pharmacists and pharmacies everywhere, who are working tirelessly to keep people healthy and safe, whilst under huge pressure.’ 

‘To all the pharmacies that are relied on by their local communities - thank you!’ 

Andrew Lane, the NPA chair, said it was a ‘privilege’ to meet the Prince of Wales and to be surrounded by ‘so many great pharmacy colleagues at this very special event’.   

‘His royal highness was very interested in what we do for our communities, and he really gets what we are all about as a profession,’ he explained.