Pharmacy Services
Irish pharmacists and their staff play a vital role as primary healthcare providers. There are over 1,500 community pharmacies in the Republic of Ireland.
Pharmacists are responsible for the approval and dispensing of medicines prescribed to a patient by a doctor, as well as the provision of professional advice on how to take medicines and on a wide range of healthcare issues. Irish people visit a pharmacy on average twice a month. Pharmacists are the most accessible part of the helthcare system, and you don't need an appointment to see them.
In addition to this role, pharmacists also supply and provide advice on various ailments and supply over-the-counter medicines (not requiring prescriptions) as well as a range of various health and beauty related products. Pharmacists also help patients manage their health and medicines and are always on hand to help patients with any health queries they have.
In the last year, the role of the pharmacist has grown with pharmacists now providing Emergency Hormonal Contraception without a prescription and also providing the flu vaccine. The IPU hopes that the role of the pharmacist continues to grow so that pharmacists can offer more services to patients.
How can your Pharmacy help you
Information on Medicines
Your pharmacist is a healthcare professional who can assist you with your health concerns quickly. They can offer you information about treatments, explanations on medication interactions and much more. They will also guide you to other health professionals or community services, if required.
Disease and chronic illness management
Pharmacists in Ireland, in co-operation with GPs, are also able to support you through longer term health issues such as diabetes and asthma. Pharmacists are well placed to assist you to start the process of stopping smoking and support you while you quit. Also many pharmacies in Ireland help to support those recovering from drug addictions by providing essential methadone treatment programmes.
Simple health tests
Some pharmacists provide basic health ‘check-ups’ in the pharmacy. During these consultations they can run several tests on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This useful service can provide you with insight into your health, and might highlight levels of risk that you can follow up with your GP.
The Future
In the future, the IPU hopes that the role of the pharmacist will expand even further. We are exploring ways that pharmacists might be able to prescribe for minor ailments. We are also lobbying the government to allow pharmacists to substitute generic, or non-branded prescriptions, which can help save you money.