On the frontline: the roles of pharmacists in disasters

Healthcare during disasters is often associated with emergency services and hospitals. However, pharmacists are the most accessible primary healthcare professionals during a disaster and have always assisted in emergencies, traditionally playing a logistics role.

Hazard Note 78 presents PhD research from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC identifying that pharmacists' roles in disasters can extend beyond just logistics to other practice areas, such as patient care, public health and governance. This knowledge is applicable to natural hazards, but can also be applied to any disaster or emergency where healthcare is required, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.