We asked the Department of Health to provide an update as to whether there will be an appointment to the role of Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. In reply the Department said:
“The Department of Health recognises the value and importance of pharmacists and pharmacies in conserving, protecting and enhancing the health of our population.
The practice of pharmacy and the provision of pharmaceutical care has the potential to be optimised to evolve to deliver best patient outcomes – this potentially will provide a vehicle to alleviate the pressure on, and support primary care practitioners, including GPs.
On 23 July 2023, the Minister for Heath established an Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland to look at the vision for pharmacy in Ireland. The Taskforce will examine how pharmacists can be enabled to operate at the top of their licence for the benefit of patients and the wider health service. The first meeting of the Taskforce will take place later this month.
Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health. A number of units within the Department have responsibility for advancing policy in key areas of our health system. They are cognisant of potential deliverables that can be realised by and through pharmacists and pharmacy services, to deliver patient centred care in line with the vision of Sláintecare.
The Department of Health has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff and is currently carrying out recruitment for a pharmacist role. The advertisement went live on Public Jobs on 4 August 2023.”
“In principle, Fine Gael would be supportive of the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer to develop and co-ordinate a national strategy for pharmaceutical care. In advance of any decision, it would be important to give full consideration to the scope of operation, areas of responsibilities and governance of such a role.”
“Fianna Fáil recognises the key role of pharmacy services in the community and the ongoing significant contribution made by the sector to patients and the public, particularly during the pandemic. Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention within the health system and the use and complexity of medicines are increasing. Pharmacists are the healthcare professionals optimally placed, by virtue of their training, to deliver a critical role within the health system to ensure the rational use of medicines by maximising the benefits and minimising the potential for patient harm.
The potential role pharmacy services can play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of universal healthcare, is being actively progressed by both the Minister and the Department of Health. This was announced on 24 July 2023 as part of the Expert Taskforce that is being set up to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists.
The Taskforce will examine how pharmacists can be enabled to operate at the top of their licence for the benefit of patients and the wider health service. It will initially consider options to enable pharmacists to extend prescriptions for a range of medicines and medical conditions where appropriate. The Taskforce will also advise on a comprehensive approach to facilitate pharmacist prescribing. This will include, but not be limited to, empowering pharmacists to assess and prescribe for common minor ailments within a community pharmacy setting and to use their expertise to operate as independent prescribers. The focus of universal healthcare is to develop primary and community care and make it possible for people to stay healthy in their homes and communities for as long as possible. The underpinning objective of, and rationale for, enhanced services delivered in community pharmacy practice is to realise enhanced patient care and access. Empowering pharmacists to use their expertise to assess and treat certain ailments will help patients get the care they need sooner and closer to home – but the benefits go much further. It can help reduce demand on hospitals, walk-in clinics and GP practices. The Taskforce has been asked to provide its first recommendations to the Minister as early as October this year.Fianna Fáil and the Minister for Health greatly appreciate the expertise of pharmacists and the valuable contribution they make, both in working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals as part of a team and working independently. By leveraging their knowledge, they make a significant contribution that adds benefits to patient outcomes right across Ireland.”
“The Green Party are conscious of the IPU’s call for a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, their knowledge on the matter, and the work they have done engaging with colleagues working as pharmacists, industry and universities where now the consensus appears to recognise the benefits of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.
We would support been given to a national strategy or action plan on pharmaceutical care, and this might best be led by a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. Other countries have shown this to be the case, and this should be considered by the Minister and his Department.”
“Sinn Féin is fully supportive of the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. We see it as part of a broader plan to expand the role of community pharmacy including in prescribing and minor injuries.”
“The Labour Party supports the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. The appointment of such a role is vital in the coordination of policy on pharmacy and medicines and is standard in other European countries.”
“The Social Democrats support the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.”
Siobhán Kane
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