Pharmacists at Professional Arts Pharmacy in Lafayette are making and donating hand sanitizer to first responders and other healthcare professionals amid the coronavirus pandemic.
PAP has committed to donating over 1,000 4 oz. bottles of pharmaceutical-grade hand sanitizer to local law enforcement and healthcare workers during this time of need. So far, they have delivered 150 bottles to Hospice agencies and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, and plan to deliver the remainder later this week and next week as more supplies are received.
LPSO is facing a sanitizer shortage and reached out to Professional Arts to compound hand sanitizer to keep officers protected.
Compounding pharmacies provide customized medication formulations for patients based on doctors' prescriptions, and the FDA is allowing compounding pharmacies to dispense hand sanitizer as an over-the-counter product due to the shortage. Because of this, a prescription for compounded hand sanitizer is not required.
PAP is still filling prescriptions while following social distancing guidelines and offering free delivery or curbside service.
Pharmacist Eric Vidrine said, "As an essential business, we must change protocols to continue servicing our patients, but we also want to do our part in supporting those that are keeping us safe and healthy during this pandemic. First responders and healthcare professionals play a vital role in our communities, especially at this critical time, and we want to do all we can to make sure they are equipped to handle this crisis."
Professional Arts is participating in a nationwide effort called #compoundinghandoff for compounding pharmacies to support first responders and healthcare professionals with compounded hand sanitizer in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
