The Health Committee of the Parliament of the Canary Islands has unanimously approved this Tuesday a proposal from all groups for the Ministry of Health to coordinate with the pharmaceutical associations in order to carry out tests to detect Covid-19 in pharmacies, which is something that the State has not authorized until now. In fact, Madrid had been demanding it for weeks and it was finally this Tuesday when the Ministry agreed to the request of the Madrid community, but subject to it being carried out only in areas of high incidence.
The Non-Law Proposal (PNL) approved by the Canary Islands Parliament also includes making them available to citizens so that they can be vaccinated against the flu in those cases in which they do not want to go to health centers.
Jesús Ramos (ASG) commented that this measure would give "agility" to the coronavirus prevention measures, recognizing that other communities "are ahead" and that in the Canary Islands, if there is a green light, there must be coordination between pharmacies and health authorities.
According to Ramos, it is not a question of there being "a dispute" with the doctors, but he understands that this measure is good for citizens and helps not to "overload" the health centers, so he does not believe that there are "impediments" if health security is complied with.
María del Río, from Sí Podemos, has recognized the "immense effort" of her group to support the PNL, as they are defenders of public health, which must be reinforced "in a very delicate moment", but they believe that now "it is time to add" and they are not going to oppose if it is finally unblocked.
Sandra Domínguez (NC) has valued the "rapid" response that coronavirus control measures need, so she supports pharmacies being able to carry out antigen tests, not PCR, if safety conditions are met.
Miguel Ángel Ponce, from the Popular Group, has valued the "consensus" reached between the groups, recognizing that pharmacies help to deploy public health control measures, so he hopes that the protocols will be clarified in case positives are detected, protection materials are provided and citizens are well informed about the tests.
José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez, from the Nationalist Group, commented that in a health crisis "all available resources must be used", betting on coordination between the Ministry of Health and pharmacies so that there is no "imposition".
For the Socialist Group, Marcos Hernández highlighted the "spirit of agreement" in the Chamber and the willingness of pharmacies to collaborate to help combat the coronavirus in an "exceptional situation", so he advocates protocols with the health authorities
