Joe Soiza, Managing Director at UK Meds
Nottingham-based online pharmacy UK Meds has committed to donating much-needed surgical face masks to healthcare professionals across the country to help workers in the fight against coronavirus.
Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 hit Britain in late January, masks across all ranges and grades have become the fastest selling item on the UK Meds website.
To date, the business, based in Castle Marina, has donated more than 5,000 FFP2 masks to health and care workers in the UK – including 200 to occupational therapists working with patients who have sustained brain injuries living in their family homes in West Sussex, and a further 100 to medical teams on the wards of Southampton General Hospital.
Joe Soiza, Managing Director at UK Meds, said: “The rapid spread of COVID-19 has led to mask shortages across the nation as concerned members of the public stock up. This demand is making it difficult for hospitals and care homes to obtain the protective gear they need, and emergency workers have reported that they are being put at risk.
“We want to make sure those on the frontline have the protection they need in order to safely treat patients suffering with coronavirus and minimise the risk of passing the virus onto those most vulnerable. That is why we’re committed to providing healthcare workers with much-needed face masks whenever we can.
“As a business, it’s important we can serve communities and, during these unprecedented times, being able to lend a helping hand to those in need is critical.”
Shyam Morjaria, Superintendent Pharmacist at UK Meds
UK Meds was established in May 2016 and supplies prescription-only medicines and lifestyle products to patients after undertaking an appropriate consultation with a prescriber.
Shyam Morjaria, Superintendent Pharmacist at UK Meds, said: “Although plenty of people are recovering from coronavirus, it can be life-threatening, serious and devastating for high-risk groups.
“Guidance from the World Health Organisation recommends FFP2 or FFP3. These masks can contribute towards minimising the risk of spread of COVID-19 as the virus is passed through infected droplets of saliva or mucus that are released when a person coughs or sneezes. When wearing a face mask, it’s much harder to inhale these infected droplets.
“There are millions of health and care professionals across Britain who are working incredibly hard to fight coronavirus. The need for medical equipment to protect these people on the frontline so they can continue carrying out vital work during this pandemic is critical. We’re delighted that as a business we’re able to provide face masks to workers and patients to help keep them safe.”
For more information on UK Meds or hygiene face masks, please visit on UK Meds or hygiene face masks, please visit ukmeds.co.uk or call 0115 907 0050 to speak to one of the company’s experts.
