President Tsai Ing-wen (center) is joined by lawmakers and other guests in giving the thumbs-up to the contributions of Taiwan’s pharmacists during a dinner banquet March 7 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)

President Tsai Ing-wen March 7 praised the contributions of Taiwan’s pharmacists towards safeguarding public health, promising that the government will leave no stone unturned in creating an even stronger public safety net.

Surgical masks are essential to Taiwan’s COVID-19 management efforts, with pharmacy technicians all over the country working diligently on the front lines to help implement the government’s mask-rationing plan and protect residents from coronavirus, the president said.

More than 1.1 billion masks have been distributed by National Health Insurance-contracted pharmacies since the system was launched in early 2020, Tsai said. The dedication of staff at these facilities is sincerely appreciated by the government and the people, she added.

The president made the remarks during a dinner banquet in Taipei City organized by the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations.

According to Tsai, there are more than 8,000 pharmacies in Taiwan serving the people. In addition to dispensing medication and providing consultation, pharmacists make home visits and promote public health at nursing facilities and schools, she said.

Since the onset of the pandemic, these health professionals have selflessly borne an extra burden to ensure the success of disease-fighting measures, the president said, adding that the government is fully committed to supporting its partners as they continue working together to protect the well-being of everyone in the country. (SFC-E)