“Drug retailers, pharmacists have been at the forefront in the fight against the pandemic to ensure timely delivery of medicines and equipment. Like other frontline workers, we too are in direct contact with healthcare facilities and are thus at an equal risk of COVID-19 infection,” said S Ramachandran, secretary, Tamil Nadu Druggists and Chemists Association, noting that many frontline workers have been infected with the virus. 

Raising the demand to include pharmacists and druggists under the category of frontline workers to be administered the vaccine on priority, the association has written to senior officials from the State Health Department. 

When asked, a senior health official said the demand raised by the association was being studied by the department, and indicated that it would be considered positively. 

“Their request is being studied, and is very likely to be considered as they form a significant part of the healthcare sector,” said the official.