Nine out of 10 pharmacies fell foul of shoplifting last year, survey reveals
In a new survey, almost nine of 10 pharmacies experienced theft last year with an increase in the aggressive behavior of the people.
The National Pharmacy Association of 476 Pharmacies in the UK (NPA) survey found that 88 percent of pharmacies had an increase in theft last year.
87 percent of the pharmacy teams reported an increase in aggressive or scary behavior, 22 percent of the staff witnessed physical attacks, he said.
Almost three -quarters (73 percent) of those who reported these examples to the police said that they thought that the response was insufficient.
NPA, representing more than 6,000 independent community pharmacies, described findings as “unacceptable”.
NPA General Manager Henry Gregg said: “These are terrible findings and pharmacies have seen a significant increase in theft and other criminal behaviors.
“It is particularly related to the reports of physical attacks, as well as to hear threats to pharmacy personnel, which are completely unacceptable.”
Experts warned that theft of drugs such as strong painkillers or drugs, which slows down the body and brain function, may have serious consequences for the health of someone ”.
However, Sanjeev Panesar, who owns a pharmacy in Birmingham, said that there was a “significant increase ve in small thefts in the last 12 to 18 months, and some people even opened filling bags with stock.
He also said that their staff can both give oral harassment or physical intimidation, which should be part of their roles ”.
“These are health professionals, here to serve their communities and look at patients, Pa said Paresar.
“Confrontation with such hostility is not only a courageous, but also has a permanent impact on job satisfaction, morale and security feelings in the workplace.”
In the past, Mr. Paresar brought security guards and even chasing the criminals several times.
He said: “Despite all the preventive measures we have applied, it is incredibly frustrating to see our teams are dealing with this reality.
“Instead of focusing on protecting our facilities from theft, we should spend our time and energy to develop innovative services, to support patient care and to improve public health.”
Gregg added: “Due to accessible nature, pharmacy teams can often be exposed to more abuse and threats than primary care colleagues.
“Although pharmacists are taking their own steps to protect their staff and buildings, the police should do much more to make crimes such as theft more and more common.
“Drug theft from a pharmacy such as strong painkillers or benzodiazepines can have serious consequences for someone’s health.
“We need to do more to deal with shops and to provide more support to other NHS colleagues in primary care to protect their staff and buildings.”
A government spokesman said: “In recent years, the increase in store theft throughout the country is unacceptable.
“This government is currently eliminating the effective immunity to thefts containing valuable goods under 200 pounds, and this summer, more than 500 city centers are receiving additional neighborhood patrols to strengthen the action against store theft and relevant crimes.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to violence or harassment of NHS personnel and community pharmacists. So we bring laws to protect shop workers from violence and accept the proposals to overcome and reduce violence against NHS personnel.”
