About the IPU
Membership of the IPU provides you with the professional support and advice you need in your day-to-day practice as a community pharmacist.
The Irish Pharmacy Union is the professional, representative organisation for community pharmacists in Ireland. Our vision is to be the authoritative voice of community pharmacy and the driving force in the evolution of accessible, equitable and patient-focused primary healthcare.
The IPU exists to:
– Advocate, advance and protect the role of the pharmacist at the centre of primary healthcare;
– Value and demonstrate the contribution pharmacy makes to our patients and communities;
– Promote, challenge and support our profession to embrace opportunity;
– Cherish our heritage and traditions; and
– Mentor the next generation of pharmacists.
The IPU supports pharmacists’ professional and service development through education and training courses, to enhance their knowledge as a pharmacist, and by advocating for extended professional roles for community pharmacy. In addition, we support members in dealing with PSI inspections, Fitness to Practise, HSE PCRS queries and any other issues that arise. We make ongoing representations to the Department of Health (DoH), HPRA, HSE/PCRS, PSI and other bodies on behalf of members.
Click here for more information on becoming a member.
Dermot Twomey
Dermot was elected as President to the IPU by the Executive Committee and took up the position in June 2021. Dermot is a director of Cloyne Pharmacy, a past Vice-President and Treasurer of the Irish Pharmacy Union, former Chairman to the Pharmacy Contractors’ Committee, former board member of the ICCPE and a former Chairman of the Joint Consultative Group of the IPU, which meets with the HSE on a regular basis. He has served on the IT steering group of the IPU and on the exam review board of the IIOP, as well as helping to develop Practice Review for implementation in Community Pharmacy in Ireland.
Dermot graduated with a first class honours degree from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow in 1995 and completed his pre-registration year in a progressive community pharmacy in Glasgow. He purchased a pharmacy in Cloyne, Co Cork, and has expanded it four times in the past 19 years. In response to customer demand, he opened the first community pharmacy-based warfarin clinic in Ireland in early 2010. The work of the clinic has been acknowledged in Dermot receiving awards such as Community Pharmacist and overall winner of the Pharmacist of the Year in 2011, as well as international recognition at the QIC Anticoagulation Awards in London in 2014.
Vice-President
Ann Marie Horan
Ann Marie Horan, Fortfield Pharmacy, Terenure, Dublin 6, was elected as Vice-President to the IPU by the Executive Committee and took up the position in June 2021.
Treasurer
Tom Murray
Tom Murray, Murray’s Pharmacy, Convoy, Co Donegal, was elected as Treasurer to the IPU by the Executive Committee and took up the position in June 2021.
Latest News
IPU Pharmacy Technicians’ Graduation
We are delighted to say that we will have the next
Medicines Counter Assistant Course
Due to demand, we have added another Medicines Counter Assistant course
Showcasing your Pharmacy Online – 21 March – Spaces Available
Whether you wish to become an online retailer or simply promote your pharmacy business