Held under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures”, the IPU’s World Pharmacists Day event provided an opportunity to celebrate the contribution pharmacists make every day to patients and communities, while also reflecting on the significant progress being made in expanding the role of community pharmacy within the health service.

The event, which was moderated by IPU Vice-President John Brassil was very well attended and was positively received by those present, with a strong sense of optimism about the progress achieved and the opportunities ahead. A recurring theme throughout the morning was the importance of continued collaboration between pharmacists, the Department of Health, HSE, PSI and other stakeholders in delivering further change.

Opening the event, IPU President Caoimhe McAuley welcomed attendees and reflected on a significant year of progress for community pharmacy. She highlighted the growing role pharmacists are playing in delivering accessible healthcare and the importance of maintaining momentum as new services continue to develop.

Attendees also heard a video message from Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, marking World Pharmacists Day and recognising the contribution of pharmacists to the health service.

Cora O’Connell, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at the Department of Health, outlined her vision for the newly established role and the importance of embedding pharmacy more fully within national healthcare policy and service design. She highlighted priorities including expanding pharmacist-delivered care, supporting a sustainable and engaged pharmacy workforce and strengthening pharmacy’s integration across the health service.

Liz Kelso of the HSE focused on the progress made in moving the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 from agreement into delivery. She highlighted developments including the Common Conditions Service, pneumococcal vaccination, MediBack and BowelScreen, as well as the importance of partnership and co-design in successfully implementing new services.

Joanne Kissane, Registrar and Chief Officer of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, addressed the importance of enabling pharmacists to safely expand their scope of practice. She emphasised the role of appropriate training, clinical governance and proportionate regulatory support and reemphasised the partnership theme and the shared responsibility to equip pharmacists to exercise expertise with confidence and sound professional judgement.

The morning also included a panel discussion on ‘Progress Through Partnership: Agreement to Collaboration’, while IPU Honorary Treasurer and Executive Committee member Elizabeth Lang of Lang’s Pharmacy, Tubbercurry, brought the discussion directly to patient care, illustrating how initiatives under CPA25 are already being delivered in practice for patients. Her presentation highlighted services including the Common Conditions Service, vaccination, MediBack, BowelScreen and health promotion initiatives.

Closing the event, IPU President Caoimhe McAuley reflected on the importance of maintaining the momentum achieved to date.

Overall, the event provided a positive celebration of World Pharmacists Day but also demonstrated the scale of change underway in community pharmacy. It highlighted what can be achieved through partnership and the significant potential for pharmacists to deliver even more accessible healthcare, closer to patients’ homes and communities.