The IPU will be holding regional elections over the next number of weeks to establish the IPU Committees for 2024-2026. The Executive Committee has taken the decision to hold these elections electronically. In this article, we outline the election process and provide some feedback from committee members on how they have found their time on the committees.
There are four national committees within the IPU: the Executive Committee, Community Pharmacy Committee (CPC), Employee Pharmacists’ Committee (EPC) and Pharmacy Contractors’ Committee (PCC). Each committee is made up of a representative from each region, as well as other members who are co-opted onto the committees.
The Executive Committee is responsible for governance of the IPU, and the other committees (CPC, PCC and EPC) report to the Executive. The Executive Committee oversees the implementation of the IPU’s strategy.
The mission of the CPC is to serve and support community pharmacists in their practices and to promote and expand their role as pharmacists by continually developing professional, ethical, business and technological ideals and standards.
The Pharmacy Contractors’ Committee looks after all matters pertaining to the public health services as they concern community pharmacy and in particular those Community Pharmacy Proprietors who are contractors to the HSE. This committee has a particular responsibility for negotiating with the Department of Health and the HSE.
“ Our committees play an important role in relation to our professional and ethical standards, how we run our businesses and how we are reimbursed for the work that we do.”
The EPC deals with matters of relevance to the employee pharmacist members of the IPU. Members of the EPC are also co-opted onto the Executive Committee and CPC.
I have served as a member of the EPC committee for the past two years Being a member of the EPC has been really interesting and informative. The EPC serves the needs and interests of employees. Today in Ireland, ensuring employee pharmacists are well represented at committee level is so important. The committee works on various issues that affect our profession, such as employee wellbeing, racism in the workplace, and reducing administrative burden. We also collaborate with other IPU committees and engage with politicians to advocate for community pharmacy and support the IPU’s strategic goals.
Being part of the EPC committee has given me a deeper insight into the national and professional challenges and opportunities that we face as pharmacists. Our committee has great diversity, experience, age and job roles and I have loved connecting with many colleagues who share my passion for community pharmacy.
The work of the employee committee on employee wellbeing was particularly interesting. Membership of the IPU gives you access to an EAP program for yourself, your team and all those living in your household. It entitles you to free counselling sessions, Manager supports such as manager coaching and career coaching and access to a huge range of courses including parenting courses, assertiveness, stress management, maternity, managing menopause, managing retirement etc. As pharmacists, we have different needs at different stages of our career and life, and the IPU is there to help us along the way independently of your employer.
Reducing the excessive administration burden in community pharmacy has been another priority for not only the EPC but all committees of the IPU. It was amazing to see how the team rolled out an 8ft long workflow chart of the burden across an Rx journey to illustrate our daily frustrations with the systems.
I encourage you to join an IPU committee and contribute to the future of community pharmacy in Ireland.
I joined the Employee Pharmacist Committee (EPC) following the AGM in 2022 and it really opened my eyes to the work the IPU does. Before that, I had not interacted with the IPU regularly, which meant I wasn’t fully aware of everything the IPU does. It became clear early on that the IPU and the EPC actively work on many issues that arise in the daily life of a community pharmacist. We all deal with similar problems and tasks in our roles, and it’s fantastic to be part of this conjoined effort to improve our practice.
Joining the committee was like being allowed behind the scenes to see how the plans are put in place and decisions made to improve community pharmacy and the role of a community pharmacist. The EPC meets about six times per year, allowing us to discuss a multitude of matters that have been brought forward by members of the committee. Although best efforts are made to attend meetings live in Butterfield House, committee members can still take part online should it be required. With discussions ranging from PSI complaint support to improving efficiencies in areas of practice, the main goal is always to support pharmacists and I love doing my part to help out.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of being on the EPC is meeting so many other like-minded pharmacists. It’s great to discuss issues and see another point of view. At events like the AGM and National Conference, it allows even more input and gives a platform to any pharmacist to make their concerns known. This information can then be voiced further at our committee meetings and action plans put in place to support members.
As a newly graduated pharmacist joining the IPU, it was reassuring to see all this work being done and to be a part of it, so I would also urge any newly qualified pharmacists to run for a position if they are interested.
This year, for the first time, the election process will be done electronically and all correspondence including voting papers etc will be sent by email. Your nominations and votes will also be sent via email. The process will be overseen by the IPU auditors Brenson Lawlor.
The following are the key dates in the election process:
All ballot papers will be scrutinised by auditors Brenson Lawlor.
As the elections will be carried out electronically, it is really important to make sure you are receiving IPU communications by email. Please contact communications@ipu.ie if you have not been receiving IPU communications by email.
If you are interested in putting your name forward for election and would like some further information, please contact the chairperson of the relevant committee. You can also contact Roisin Molloy, secretary to the committees, at roisin.molloy@ipu.ie.
| Committee | Chairperson |
| Executive | Dermot Twomey/dtwomey@ipumail.ie |
| CPC | Jonathon Morrissey/jmorrissey@ipumail.ie |
| PCC | Kathy Maher/kmaher@ipumail.ie |
| EPC | Tadhg Scanlan/tscanlan@ipumail.ie |
The IPU asks all members to consider having your name put forward for election. By being part of an IPU committee, you get to play an influential role not only in Irish community pharmacy but also the healthcare environment generally.
Our committees represent all of us at the highest level to protect, promote and strengthen the pharmacy profession for the benefit of all members. They play an important role in relation to our professional and ethical standards, how we run our businesses and how we are reimbursed for the work that we do.
New voices are always welcome to get the right mix of experience and new ideas, and it can be a rewarding experience for those involved. Please do not hesitate to contact the IPU if you would like any further information.
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