The scene outside Lloyd's Pharmacy in Glenrothes - just one of many replicated across the region.
Members of the public have been urged to exercise patience outside community pharmacies following flashpoints.
Pharmacies have remained open as a first port of call for clinical advice and the supply of medicines.
Long queues have been forming outside many and The Courier understands there have been a number of incidents during which people’s frustrations have led to confrontations with staff or other patients.
Staff at many pharmacies are understood to have suffered verbal abuse as they try to minimise the number of people in premises at one time but incidents of physical violence have also occurred over the last few months.
Councillor David Graham, Fife Council’s health and social care spokesperson, said: “There is no doubt these are challenging times and our pharmacy teams are doing all they can to support our communities, access medicines and healthcare advice, while at the same time managing limited space and queue management.
“I urge everyone to be patient, tolerant and kind to others waiting to be served and pharmacy teams who are continuing to deliver vital services to communities across Fife.”
