Austrian pharmacists also help with health problems around the Christmas holidays and New Year. There are no closing days due to holidays or illness, not even during the “quiet time” of the year.
The approximately 7,000 pharmacists throughout Austria work more than 80,000 hours of on-call duty every year – in addition to normal day shifts. The doors or waiting windows of approximately 300 pharmacies are open 24 hours a day.
Of course also in the so-called “quiet time” of the year. During Christmas and New Year, Austrian pharmacists collectively offer more than 1,100 on-call shifts. Unlike other (healthcare) sectors, closures due to holidays or illness are not permitted.
No public money
The pharmacies take turns providing on-call services; in smaller communities, local pharmacies may need to be available every night. Only in this way can people be provided with urgently needed medicines in the event of an emergency.
Unlike emergency medical services, the officially regulated night and on-call service of pharmacies is not funded by the public sector. The pharmacies must pay the costs of more than 35 million euros per year entirely from their own resources. The Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists sees the need for action on the part of the future government on this point. You can find out which pharmacy is currently open via the pharmacy search function at pharmacistkammer.at or via the toll-free health number 1450.
Healthy through the winter
Colds and infections in particular challenge the immune system of young and old during the cold season. Sufficient sleep, exercise in the fresh air and a diet rich in vitamins and minerals are now even more important than usual. In addition to vitamins C and D, zinc and selenium also support the fight against infections.
There are also various traditional herbal preparations available in the pharmacy around the corner that strengthen the immune system, especially in the form of drops, juices, tablets or tea. In addition to extracts of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), extracts of the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L) or the rock rose (Cistus) have also proven to be effective. Keep the mucous membranes moist!
Source: Krone
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