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Chamber of Pharmacists and Civil Protection Association appeal to the population to stock up accordingly

In a Viennese pharmacy recently, pharmacist Dr Ulrike Mursch-Edlmayr, President of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists, and Member of the Austrian Parliament Mr Andreas Hanger, President of the Civil Protection Association, presented new recommendations for medical supplies and remedies to stock up on at home.

It is particularly important in times of multiple crises to take the right precautions at home to be prepared for all eventualities. Surveys conducted by the Civil Protection Association at the beginning of the summer (n=1,350, online, Institute: IMAS) showed that Austrians generally have well-equipped medical cabinets or home pharmacies. Based on their own assessment, the population would manage for an average of 8.6 days during a crisis without having to visit a pharmacy.

However, even the best-stocked home pharmacy has an expiry date

Despite the generally positive figures, the Chamber of Pharmacists and the Civil Protection Association would like to raise awareness of the need for people to take precautionary measures. Medicines can lose their effectiveness if stored for too long or incorrectly. This makes it all the more important to check existing medicines regularly, and to replace them in good time. The recommendations of the Chamber of Pharmacists and the Civil Protection Association also provide guidance on replenishing your stocks correctly. “We know from our surveys that people who are informed also make better provisions for crises. That is why it is so important for us to update our information and guidelines regularly for the public, in cooperation with experts,” says Andreas Hanger, President of the Austrian Civil Protection Association.

Austria’s pharmacies will help with medical provisions

Pharmacists throughout Austria are happy to provide support and advice on medical provisions and give recommendations for personal requirements. “The Austrian population is never far from one of more than 1,400 pharmacies, so people here are ideally placed to make their personal home pharmacy crisis-proof at any time. More than 6800 pharmacists know exactly what is required. I can only appeal to each and every individual to make use of this opportunity,” says pharmacist Dr Ulrike Mursch-Edlmayr, President of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists.

You will find all recommendations under

www.zivilschutz.at/hausapotheke

www.apothekerkammer.at

Our “Home pharmacy” folder includes all relevant information and can be ordered free of charge from www.zivilschutz.at/hausapotheke or downloaded free of charge at www.apothekerkammer.at .