Pharmacies slammed by patients, too

Rising Covid cases are keeping local pharmacies busy too

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – When it comes to your local pharmacy, the people on staff are almost assuredly just as busy as anybody else working in the medical profession.

And they say it’s all COVID-related.

News 12’s Dave Staley tells us about one local pharmacy in Hixson, where the staff is seeing things and doing things, they’ve never experienced before.

“Everything is crazy.” That’s how veteran pharmacist Dr. Phillip Smith describes the scene. He says it’s all because of the virus.
Smith is a pharmacist at Access Pharmacy in Hixson.
He says the good news is that vaccinations are up at his facility.
He says the bad news is that so many people are still “on the fence” about the vaccine.
According to Smith, this COVID “fourth wave” is simply not something to mess with.

DR. PHILLIP SMITH, PHARMACIST;

“This one feels worse than the others. I know it’s more contagious. We just weren’t prepared for this. Tennessee at 30 percent vaccination rate is awful. It’s time to get it done. Quit asking questions. Get the vaccine.”

DAVE STALEY, NEWS 12 NOW;
“Pharmacies like the one behind me are absolutely slammed right now. As busy as ever. Giving the COVID vaccine, giving the COVID test, as well as administering a drug to those who HAVE the virus.”

While Access Pharmacy has all three vaccines availabe, Smith says his staff is swamped with requests for regeneron. That’s an antibody for those who are already sick with the virus, or are labeled high risk.

DR. PHILLIP SMITH, PHARMACIST;
“the whole point of it is to keep those people out of the hospitals, which are overrun right now. Also, to help the people get better faster.”

Receiving an infusion or injection of regeneron is appointment only. Smith says his pharmacy can only do between 20-to-24 a day. And the requests are stacking up.
He says your best bet……is to simply get the shots.
Dave Staley, News 12 Now.