King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians visited a pharmacy on Wednesday to see the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.
Their Majesties spoke to employees at the Pharma Haelvoet pharmacy in Evere, as well as pharmacists from Eeklo in East Flanders and Tertre in Hainaut, about the crucial role they have played in combating the pandemic. They also discussed pharmacists learning to distribute the jab at vaccination centres.
King Philippe was said to be especially concerned with the mental health of the pharmacies’ clients and inquired if the sale of sleeping pills and other sedatives had increased.
The Belgian Royal Palace shared images from the visit on social media, praising the pharmacists, saying, “They have shown an exceptional commitment.”
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde also received a tour of Pharma Haelvoet, which is near the capital of Brussels. The King and Queen assured the chemists of their continued support.
On Tuesday, the Queen of the Belgians stayed behind palace walls to conduct a virtual meeting with the 2020 laureates of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The Royal Palace explained: “These social entrepreneurs are active worldwide in the fields of health, education, vulnerable children, ecology, climate and agriculture. They work in a sustainable way and respond to rapid digital evolution.”
