At the time of writing, we are awaiting the announcement of the 2024 General Election, which may already have already been called, or imminent, as you read this. This article from Jim Curran, the IPU’s Director of Public Affairs and Communications, provides an overview of our 2024 General Election campaign.
The IPU is actively engaging with all major political parties to ensure that community pharmacy issues are prioritised in advance of General Election 2024. While our continued engagement with candidates is vital, it is equally important for you to seize this opportunity to connect with politicians in your area.
We encourage all members to engage with local candidates and help make community pharmacy support a key issue in the election. We have provided materials to assist you in communicating our message locally.
Leverage your connections: If you are politically active or know any candidates, reach out to them directly to discuss the key challenges facing community pharmacies.
Utilise our resources: We have sent you an Election Campaign Message Sheet outlining our five key asks:
Keep copies of this sheet to share with candidates during canvassing, at home, or in your pharmacy. When handing over the sheet, ask the candidate to confirm that they will communicate our key issues to their party headquarters.
We have also sent IPU members a policy document providing further details on our key asks, which is also on our website.
A decal is also available for display in your pharmacy window or on your car to further amplify our message and we would encourage you to use it. The more visible our message, the stronger our campaign.
Use social media If you meet a candidate, take a photo with them and share it on social media using the hashtags #SupportPharmacy and #GE2024. Remember also to tag the IPU’s account:
You can download images and sample text for social media from our website. Remember to tag your local candidates.
Candidates will be active in the community over the coming weeks, so make sure to connect with them and advocate for the pharmacy sector. The election materials will guide your conversations.
This election presents a crucial opportunity to highlight the essential role of community pharmacy at both local and national levels. By raising our concerns and aspirations, we can emphasise how pharmacies can help alleviate capacity issues in the healthcare system if properly resourced and fully utilised.
We will continue to provide updates as the campaign progresses. Please check the IPU website regularly for the latest information. If you have any questions or need further details about the election materials, please contact Jim Curran at jim.curran@ipu.ie or Ailbhe O’Briain at ailbhe.obriain@ipu.ie.
Thank you for your continued support. Your voice is key to ensuring community pharmacy remains a central topic in the election.
All materials and information will be available on a dedicated Election 2024 page on the IPU website.
Jim Curran
Director of Public Affairs and Communications, IPU
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