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Statement: Pharmacists look ahead to Galway Conference this weekend

IPU National Pharmacy Conference to be held in Galway this weekend

  • Pharmacists call for more medicines to be made available to patients without prescription.
  • Pharmacists can provide additional services to patients as part of the Minister’s healthcare reform agenda.

 

Monday, 23 April 2012. Irish pharmacists will call on the Minister for Health to engage with them on his healthcare reform agenda as they are well placed to provide  additional services to patients, including: chronic disease management, health screening, extended vaccination services and treating minor ailments. Pharmacists will also call for more medicines to be reclassified, making them available from pharmacies without prescription.

 

The calls will be made as part of the IPU National Pharmacy Conference hosted this weekend in Galway by the Irish Pharmacy Union.

 

The Conference, entitled ‘Look to the Future’, will also discuss the following issues:

  • Concern about the over-use of antibiotics in Ireland
  • Worry about the growth of heart disease and chronic illnesses like diabetes
  • The potential savings to be made through allowing pharmacists to dispense generic medicines
  • The impact of depression and the role pharmacists can play
  • Reviewing the reimbursement price of medicines to pharmacies

 

Speaking today, incoming President of the IPU, Rory O’Donnell said; “Pharmacists have the scope to play a much more dynamic role in the health service and save money for the taxpayer in the process.  We are uniquely accessible and highly trusted on healthcare matters.  There is enormous opportunity for us to provide more services to the public, which could reduce costs in other elements of the health service.”

 
Pharmacists were facilitated in delivering the flu vaccination programme for the first time last autumn and last year the Irish Medicine’s Board reclassified the Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) ‘Norlevo’ so that it could be obtained without a prescription following a detailed consultation with the pharmacist.

 

The Minister of State for Primary Care, Roisin Shortall, will give the opening address at the Conference.
Further Information:
Ray Gordon
email : ray@gordonmrm.ie