A pharmacy in Kent has become one of the first in the UK to introduce a state-of-the-art UV air steriliser in a move that it hopes will help keep customers and staff safe from coronavirus and stave off any potential infections.
Regent Pharmacy in Gravesend has worked hard to remain safe as an essential business throughout the pandemic, with the UV air steriliser being a key addition to its existing COVID secure measures.
Since the start of the pandemic, the pharmacy has undertaken a number of new safety procedures, including: screens at the counter and clinic rooms; limitations to the number of people in the pharmacy at any one-time; social distance markings; temperature readings of staff and customers; PPE for staff; and routine cleaning protocols.
Originally known as Chapman’s, the pharmacy is well-established in the area, having been at the Windmill Street address since 1936. Now known as Regent Pharmacy, the site currently employs eight members of staff.
Consultant pharmacist, Sunil Kochhar, has been at Regent Pharmacy in Gravesend since 1998. He said: “As we’ve remained open as an essential business throughout the pandemic, we’ve had to go the extra mile to ensure our facilities are ‘COVID secure’ whilst customers are coming in and out of the pharmacy.
“The safety of both our staff and customers has always been our number one priority. Due to the nature of our business, many people who enter the pharmacy are already vulnerable due to ongoing illnesses or caring for a loved one, so we can’t risk any chance of infection on the premises.
“The introduction of the new FagronLab™ UV-C Air Steriliser is one of the many measures we’re taking to keep everyone safe. It’s a compact unit that doesn’t take up too much space, and simply plugs in and gets to work. It’s simple to use, doesn’t require any additional time to operate and cleans the air as we continue to work through our normal day-to-day activities, which means staff can spend more time helping customers. We’ve had some customers comment that our pharmacy is the only place they have seen this kind of measure in place, and they feel safer coming into the pharmacy because of it.”
FagronLab™ UV-C Air Sterilisers provide dynamic indoor air disinfection for enclosed spaces such as hospitals, pharmacies, labs, waiting rooms, schools, offices, retail stores, gyms and more, helping to keep both staff and customers safe.
The devices use long-life, C-band (wavelength 253.7nm) ozone-free ultraviolet to improve microbial air safety against viruses, bacteria and fungi. An independent laboratory recently carried out tests using the FagronLab™ UV-C Air Steriliser, where results showed the device significantly reduced the viral load of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-Cov-2), the virus responsible for COVID 19, after just 10 seconds.
Dan Barton, Marketing Communication Manager at Fagron, commented: “We’re thrilled to have our sterilisers in situ at Regent Pharmacy in Gravesend, helping to provide an extra layer of safety for Sunil and his team.
“The FagronLab™ UV-C Air Steriliser is truly an ingenious device that’s simple to operate and maintain, whilst continuously disinfecting the air to keep you safe.
“Moreover, as it helps combat all manner of viruses and bacteria, it’s a great way to keep your workspace or office as clean and hygienic as possible – you’re investing in the future health of your staff, customers and business.”
