Edinburgh pharmacy worker remains concerned about condition of 'out of date' facemasks being distributed in Scotland

Concerns remain over the condition of facemasks being distributed to key workers in Scotland which have original expiry dates of 2016.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Boxes of facemasks - manufactured by Cardinal Health - sent to an Edinburgh pharmacy this week show a ‘best before’ sticker for July 2021 masking the original printed expiry date of July 2016.

Gemma Hay, a pharmacy dispenser who works at two pharmacies in the city, says she wants to see more evidence of how the personal protective equipment (PPE) has been tested, what the results show, and how the items have been stored for the past four years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last month, The Scotsman reported fears raised by a Lothian doctor over the facemasks , but a letter was sent out to GP practice managers and NHS boards on March 17th by then deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith, saying they have been subjected to “rigorous” tests by the manufacturer which makes them “safe to use.” Dr Smith said that he hoped these assurances were enough to remove any concerns.

Gemma Hay wants to see evidence of testing done on the facemasks, and what the results showed.Gemma Hay wants to see evidence of testing done on the facemasks, and what the results showed.
Gemma Hay wants to see evidence of testing done on the facemasks, and what the results showed.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said “rigorous” tests have been done on the facemasks to ensure bacteria suspended in air can not penetrate them and that they are breathable and comfortable to wear. The spokeswoman said the masks have been stored in ambient-controlled warehouses used by NHS National Services Scotland which have been accredited and audited by recognised national and international regulatory bodies.

But Miss Hay still believes key workers – including pharmacy workers and carers – need to be provided with evidence of testing and findings and says “more transparency is needed” and that there “should not be an issue with providing this information if it’s true.”

The 37-year-old is particularly worried because she and her colleagues are dealing with palliative care patients which involves medication being taken into nursing homes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “We are not in hospital but are frontline because we are dealing with medicine and prescriptions. The virus stays on paper and these prescriptions are getting handed over for people and they can be contaminated.

“People’s lives are being put at risk and it’s just not on. I feel like we are being duped and have just to accept what they say as we have no one defending those on the front line.

“I can not afford to not be at work and can not afford to work at home as key workers can not apply for furlough. I don’t feel I’m being petty and need confirmation that the PPE we are being told to use is safe and will protect us.”

On Monday this week, Miss Hay peeled away a ‘best before’ sticker on a box of facemasks showing a July 2021 date, to reveal an original expiry date of July 2016.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She says she did this only after hearing concerns about the facemasks from someone who works in an intensive care unit in a Scottish hospital.

Read More
Coronavirus: Out-of-date masks offer ‘no protection’, says concerned GP

Miss Hay said the two pharmacies she works at in the Edinburgh area have been receiving these facemasks for more than a fortnight.

She also says her 14-year-old son has a deficiency of the antibody which protects the mucus membranes, making him more susceptible to the virus. It means she needs to take the extra precautions of removing footwear and all clothing - as well as washing hands - when she gets home from work every day.

And she says wearing the masks has caused her eyes irritation and her nose and throat to become dry, although she is fine after cleansing her face at home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We have been absolutely clear that all stock which has been issued by our National Procurement Service has been subject to rigorous assessment and is safe for use.

“These facemasks were subject to testing, including shelf-life extension, arranged by the manufacturer to certify that they were safe to use and can prevent the passage of aerosolised bacteria while remaining breathable and comfortable to wear.

“These masks have been stored in warehouses used by NHS National Services Scotland in ambient-controlled environments which are ISO (International Organization for Standardization) accredited and have been audited by NSS Quality Control and Audit Scotland. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer wrote to GPs and NHS Boards in receipt of these facemasks in March to confirm these were safe to use and address any possible concerns.”