Pharmacies Filling Orders, Keeping Customers Safe

Alabama's plan for reopening the economy includes a number of best practices for industries that haven't closed

Numbers new at ten.

Amid the 162-page report on how alabama might consider reopening the economy for coronavirus.... the small business emergency task force also outlined a number of best practices for industries that haven't closed, like pharmacies.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live after learning some of the ways drug stores are working to keep people safe.

Pharmacists i spoke with today tell me they've seen a dip in demand because things like elective surgeries are currently on hold.

But even before today's recommendations, places like athens pharmacy were already changing the way they do business.

Phillip presley, co-owner, athens pharmacy at first we were going to do one or two things and then we just jumped in the whole way when we got started.

Co-owner and pharmacist phillip presley says they made quite a few changes at athens pharmacy about three weeks ago.

Phillip presley, co-owner, athens pharmacy once we closed the lobby, closed the store for people coming in then everything else began to take place.

Like many places, they started doing regular deep cleaning and bringing prescriptions and other items to people out in the parking lot.

Will robinson-smith another safety precaution the pharmacy takes is every day, before employees start their shift, they have to get their temperature taken... , perfect!

And that way they can keep track in case anyone gets sick and they have a log for both employees and customers.

Pharmacist chuck hill says alerady having two drive-thru windows and a delivery service in place well before the pandemic helped the transition.

Chuck hill, pharmacist it's constant, it's all day long, two and sometimes three delivery guys going literally from the time we open till almost when we close.

Customers we spoke with say the safety measures put in place are appreciated.

Kate merriman, customer the measures they've put in place seem very effective.

Instead of letting everyone just stay in the same, cramped space, bringing it outside was a really smart idea.

And even when the coronavirus is behind us, presley says the pharmaceutical world may not go back to what it was before.

Phillip presley, co-owner, athens pharmacy operations may be tweaked.

We may learn some new ways to operate.

This curbside thing may take off.

People may say, 'hey, i just want to come to the curb.'

So things like that may happen.

The recommendation s that include guidelines for pharmacies are currently being reviewed by governor ivey and her staff.

It will help factor into the next steps the state takes beyond the current health order.

Reporting live in athens, will robinson-smith, waay 31