Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor, Turkish Pharmacists' Association Central Executive Board Member Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, is in Ankara to coordinate efforts in the earthquake zone. Following the earthquake disaster of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude in Kahramanmaraş, which claimed thousands of lives, Uzbay emphasized that the Turkish Pharmacists' Association (TEB) promptly assessed the situation and implemented plans for drug access in coordination with the relevant chambers of pharmacists; “Pharmacies that set out from the first day of the earthquake have now been established at various points in the earthquake zone and have started providing services. Drugs and all kinds of medical supplies provided by these pharmacies are free of charge. Currently, a total of 11 pharmacies are operating: 2 in Kahramanmaraş, one each in Hatay city center and İskenderun, 1 in Gaziantep, 3 in Malatya, 1 in Adıyaman, and 2 in Şanlıurfa.” he said.
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Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay works for drug coordination in the earthquake zone…
“Access to medicines and the restoration of pharmacy services are crucial”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor, Head of the Department of Internal Medical Sciences, and Member of the Central Executive Board of the Turkish Pharmacists' Association, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, pointed out that one of the important issues in such natural disasters is ensuring uninterrupted and healthy access to medicines. Uzbay said; “I wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in this disaster and urgent healing to the injured. May our nation be resilient. One of the important issues in such natural disasters is ensuring uninterrupted and healthy access to medicines. This is vital for both the rapid and effective treatment of those rescued with injuries and for survivors to access medicines they use regularly or will need. This is a widespread disaster. Approximately 13 million people in 10 of our provinces were affected. Pharmacies and pharmacists, who are the most important link in the drug supply chain, were also severely damaged in Hatay, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Gaziantep, and Kilis. In some of these provinces, access to medicines suddenly disappeared, and in others, it was largely disrupted. This is because pharmacies were destroyed, and pharmacists lost their lives or were trapped under rubble. In Adıyaman, we also lost the President of the Chamber of Pharmacists, Pharm. Hüseyin Kemal Taş, along with his family. Pharmacy services ceased in many provinces and districts in the earthquake zone. The inability to provide access to medicines is also of great importance for patients who survived but have a chronic need for medication. For example, for someone with diabetes and who is insulin-dependent, inability to access their medication is fatal. Similarly, for patients with high blood pressure, epilepsy, and other chronic illnesses who must take medication continuously, lack of access to medicine can lead to permanent and serious health problems, and even death. Besides access to tents, blankets, food, and drink for survivors, this is also a very important point as it can indirectly lead to further losses. On the other hand, for the treatment of those rescued injured from the rubble or injured during the earthquake, it is essential that surgical supplies, especially anesthetic drugs and various serums, are sufficient and accessible. Access to medicines and the restoration of pharmacy services are of great importance for healing the wounds after the earthquake and increasing survival rates,” he stated.
“Currently, 11 pharmacies are operating in the earthquake zones”
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay stated that mobile or field pharmacies have been established at many points; “The Turkish Pharmacists' Association (TEB), with its 54 chambers of pharmacists spread across the country, is a very strong and experienced non-governmental organization that acts quickly in such disasters. It has previously made significant contributions in terms of both drug access and financial support during forest fires, floods, and mining accidents. In this disaster, too, TEB has shown a good response so far and continues to do so. Immediately after the earthquake, the TEB Central Executive Board and Supervisory Board convened, promptly assessed the situation, and implemented its plans for drug access in coordination with the relevant chambers of pharmacists. TEB had a mobile pharmacy truck for such situations. However, the scale of this disaster is enormous; therefore, not only the mobile pharmacy truck but also numerous mobile or field pharmacies have been established at many points with provided containers. Pharmacies that set out from the first day of the earthquake have now been established at various points in the earthquake zone and have started providing services. Drugs and all kinds of medical supplies provided by these pharmacies are free of charge. Currently, a total of 11 pharmacies are operating: 2 in Kahramanmaraş, one each in Hatay city center and İskenderun, 1 in Gaziantep, 3 in Malatya, 1 in Adıyaman, and 2 in Şanlıurfa. Additional containers are being supplied, and new ones continue to be opened as needed. Access to all kinds of medicines is possible from these pharmacies. The applicant's status is checked via their Turkish ID number, and necessary chronic medicines are provided. Furthermore, drug and material support is also provided to surviving hospitals and nearby field hospitals,” he said.
“Communication with the Ministry of Health and AFAD continues”
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay mentioned that, due to his duty in the Central Executive Board, he reached Ankara to support coordination activities from the center, adding that many chamber presidents and board members are dispersed throughout the earthquake zone. Uzbay said; “The chambers of pharmacists in provinces not affected by the earthquake are also organizing to establish field pharmacies, especially in districts in need, with medical supplies and medicines they procure, and are delivering clothing, food, and beverages to the region, in addition to drug donations. Due to my duty in the Central Executive Board, I have also reached Ankara and am trying to support coordination activities from the center. Some of our colleagues from the Central Executive Board and Supervisory Board are currently personally managing the coordination of drug and pharmacy services in critical locations such as Adıyaman, Malatya, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş. Many of our chamber presidents and board members are also dispersed throughout the earthquake zone. They are working tirelessly with unity and great harmony to prevent any disruption in a vital matter like medicine. Our central crisis desk consists of the TEB President, general secretary, second president, treasurer, and other members, along with TEB employees, and is in close communication with the field.
Furthermore, communication with the Ministry of Health and AFAD continues. There is currently no concept of working hours here; everyone is doing their part as we strive to conclude this great disaster with the least possible damage,” he added.
We are also sending volunteer pharmacists to the region…
Prof. Dr. Uzbay stated that they also identify and coordinate pharmacists who wish to go to the region and work as volunteers.
As of 09.02.2023, the Turkish Pharmacists' Association Disaster Management Information page has been activated. To access location information for mobile disaster pharmacies and other current updates, click here: