96% of adults would welcome pharmacists being able to prescribe for minor ailments.
IPU 25 September: Marking World Pharmacy Day the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has said that there is overwhelming public support for plans to allow pharmacists to expand the services they provide. According to new research published today by the IPU 98% of people in Ireland state they value the advice pharmacists provide.
The Pharmacy Index 2023 was researched by B&A on behalf of the Irish Pharmacy Union. Speaking on the findings of the survey Susan O’ Dwyer, Head of Professional Services said, “The challenges faced in Irish healthcare are well known. Despite these it is extremely encouraging to see the pharmacy profession receiving a very positive endorsement by the Irish people and there is recognition that we could play a role in improving Irish healthcare.”
Over three quarters (77%) of Irish adults believe that pharmacists compare very highly or highly with other healthcare professionals. “This is recognition of the increasing importance pharmacies play at the centre of healthcare in communities,” Ms O’ Dwyer said.
Additional findings from the report highlighted that almost half of the adult population (48%) now visit one of Ireland’s 1,900 pharmacies over a typical week. While 96% are in favour of pharmacists being able to prescribe treatments for minor ailments 94% are in favour of pharmacists being able to repeat certain prescriptions without recourse to a GP.
Ms O’Dwyer said, “Today as we mark World Pharmacist Day, we are pleased to see the enthusiasm for the sector’s evolution in Ireland. The government recently established an Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy that is examining the future of the profession. We look forward to supporting this process with a view to expanding the healthcare services provided in pharmacies in the months ahead.”
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