«Only the pharmacy and the fire service were still operating»

«During those terrifying days, the pharmacy was important to many people». This is how Cláudia Santos, who is from Vieira de Leiria, recalls the role played by Farmácia A. Guerra Pedrosa following Storm Kristin’s passage through the region. Against a backdrop of destruction, power cuts and widespread communication failures, the pharmacy stood out as one of the few places offering support to the local population.

Around two months later, the memory of those days remains vivid in the community and continues to be a daily topic of conversation at the pharmacy. «At the time, we felt safe here at the pharmacy», recalls 78-year-old Natércia Camões. «I often say that they are now my neighbours».

During the critical period, when almost everything was closed, Farmácia A. Guerra Pedrosa kept its doors open, becoming a true refuge for the local population. «For two or three days, we felt that only the pharmacy and the fire service were still operating», says technical director Alexandre Santos. «They really were the centre of support for the local population».

Many people came in to collect their medicines and ended up staying a little longer to talk. They talked about the fright, what the wind had carried away and what had been destroyed. «We helped a lot of people. As there was no electricity, we even charged their mobile phones. We did everything we could», says pharmacy technician Isilda Ferreira, recalling the «difficult days» they experienced.

The support provided by the pharmacy team is widely recognised by the community. «I saw many people coming here to charge their phones and ask for help. I come here myself quite often because I have my 96-year-old mother at home and she takes a lot of medication», says 75-year-old Rufina Piedade Vidal. «It is a very helpful team».

The pharmacy was able to remain operational thanks to a generator purchased before the storm. However, fuel shortages forced the team to reduce consumption and limit opening hours. According to the technical director, the «greatest impact» was felt at an operational level due to the lack of communications, which prevented the pharmacy from placing orders during the first week after the storm. «The inside of the pharmacy was not affected, but we did have some damage outside», he adds, explaining that the pharmacy sign was blown into the adjacent street. Now, the unrepaired sign is the only visible reminder of what happened.

Inside the pharmacy, the community is gradually returning to its previous routines. «People’s concerns and the way they allocate their monthly budgets have changed. Spending shifted towards essentials, and only now are we beginning to see a return to previous consumption habits, particularly when it comes to dermocosmetics», explains Alexandre Santos.

However, he acknowledges that challenges remain. «There is a lack of psychological support», he says. «Nowadays, any weather warning already causes anxiety. People react differently to the wind, often without understanding these reactions». In this regard, the pharmacy may collaborate with local healthcare professionals to promote greater health literacy in this area and strengthen support for the local population.

The experiences shared by Cláudia Santos, Natércia Camões and Rufina Piedade Vidal highlight the importance of community pharmacies in situations of extreme pressure and adversity. The support they provided to people in the affected areas was only possible thanks to the resilience, professionalism and strong sense of mission of their teams, who ensured access to medicines, continuity of treatment and professional advice.