The workforce challenges facing the community pharmacy sector have been increasingly difficult in recent years. As part of the response to this, it was announced in 2024 that three new university programmes would be established to provide education to the next generation of pharmacists. New programmes are to be established in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo, South-East Technological University (SETU) Waterford, and University of Galway, in addition to the existing programmes in University College Cork (UCC), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI). The new programmes will provide more than 150 additional pharmacy graduates annually, a doubling of Ireland’s education of pharmacists.
Ireland already has a great reputation in training pharmacists in our three existing pharmacy schools, with Irish trained pharmacists renowned for their expertise and professionalism, which is reflected in the trust that patients have in their pharmacist.
As some of the new programmes begin this year, the IPU Review is running a series of articles this autumn with the Heads of the Pharmacy Schools in all six universities. We begin this month with interviews with Prof. Leo Quinlan of University of Galway, and Prof. Helena Kelly of RCSI.
What inspired the establishment of this School of Pharmacy, and can you share the vision and mission of your School of Pharmacy?
University of Galway is one of the oldest and largest universities in Ireland with over 19,000 students, 2,500 staff and over 100,000 alumni. The University offers degree programmes in medicine, nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and podiatric medicine as well as many postgraduate clinical programmes. There is long-standing experience in subject areas relevant to pharmacy including chemistry, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry. In 2022, the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences within the university, published its FutureCare strategy which integrates university level values and strategic priorities, and tailors them to health sciences education and research. FutureCare focuses on the needs of an evolving healthcare landscape and hones in on the College’s role in providing a skilled healthcare workforce, influencing clinical practice, and improving health outcomes. Inspired by the FutureCare vision, the newly formed School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, led by Prof. Leo Quinlan, combines the well-established Disciplines of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Physiology, along with the expanding Discipline of Pharmacy.
The vision of the Discipline of Pharmacy is to be a global leader in pharmacy education, research, and practice, meeting the needs of evolving healthcare environments, and improving patient outcomes through innovative teaching and ground-breaking research.
Our mission is to develop competent, patient-focused pharmacists equipped with the skills needed for modern healthcare, emphasising rural and community health, patient safety, interprofessional education, and research excellence.
There are defined subject criteria for the MPharm curriculum, but are there other areas or topics that you have included, to ensure your MPharm graduates are prepared for the evolving role of pharmacists?
In line with our FutureCare strategy, our focus is on training professionals for the healthcare service of the future. This includes preparing for a shift towards community-based healthcare, expanding pharmacist roles and the increased use of technology and data analytics in healthcare. Our curriculum will include hands-on training with cutting-edge programming software, relevant to healthcare. Clinical skills relevant to the future expanded roles of the pharmacist are included from the outset. Emphasis is placed on the provision of healthcare in rural regions, relevant to the West of Ireland. The wide range of healthcare programmes offered within the university provides an invaluable opportunity to include interprofessional activities throughout the degree.
What will be the annual intake of students to your course?
In the first year of the programme, September 2025, we will have an intake of 40 students, increasing to 75 students from September 2026. While later entry on to the CAO this year has meant we can only accept students via the CAO route, we plan to expand this next year to include mature students, pharmacy technicians and applicants from the university’s ACCESS programme to broaden participation and make the programme accessible to a diverse range of students.
What type of social and extracurricular activities are available to students?
As part of a well-rounded university experience students are encouraged to balance their academic pursuits with the rich social experience for which Galway is renowned. A dedicated university website enables students to explore and join over one hundred clubs and societies. Our pharmacy students will be supported to set up their own pharmacy student society to encourage peer support and engagement. Students will have opportunities to become student ambassadors or to volunteer with various organisations. The University sports and recreation unit promotes all students to participate in sport and physical activity to support student wellbeing. There is something for everyone!
What mechanisms does the NUIG School of Pharmacy use to engage with all sectors of pharmacy in your region, and what benefits have you seen from this engagement?
There is huge enthusiasm among pharmacists and key organisations in the region, and we have received many expressions of interest from those eager to support and contribute to the delivery of the programme. We are extremely grateful for this engagement and look forward to strengthening these relationships as the programme develops. We have worked to build strong local networks across both hospital and community sectors and have hosted stakeholder events and conducted regional pharmacy surveys. We are planning another in-person information evening in the autumn, and pharmacists who may like to attend can contact pharmacy@universityofgalway.ie. As our team expands, we will begin to engage more with industry in the region, where longstanding relationships already exist with the university. We are confident this programme will strengthen connections and collaborations between pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies and the university, bringing long-term benefits to all parties.
How will the University of Galway School of Pharmacy contribute to the longevity and sustainability of the pharmacy profession in Ireland?
The School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences will contribute to the sustainability of the profession of pharmacy in Ireland, not only by training pharmacists, but by developing strong research domains around the science and practice of pharmacy. These will help to inform, guide and lead future changes in the profession. As healthcare shifts to a more community-based model, with a growing and aging population and increasing use of artificial intelligence in many settings, there are many opportunities to both expand the role of the pharmacist, but also to confirm their position as medicines experts and patient advocates across healthcare, industry and regulatory settings.
In what ways does the University of Galway School of Pharmacy collaborate with the HSE, IPU, PSI, IIOP and other stakeholders to enhance pharmacy education and practice?
We acknowledge the very important role of pharmacy organisations in the advancement of the profession and in the personal and professional development of our students. The very first professional skills lecture our students will receive focuses on the various pharmacy organisations in Ireland and we will be inviting representatives to speak with our students throughout the programme. We were delighted to attend the IPU conference earlier this year and meet with the various stakeholders in pharmacy that were there. We know the value of teamwork in creating tangible change and we are eager to work with all organisations to achieve this.
Any interesting vignettes on the impact of the NUIG School of Pharmacy on the health and wellbeing of your local region?
The new School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences comes at a time of significant investment in health in our University. The Accelerating Research Commercialisation Hub for HealthTech was recently launched in the University and will expedite development of healthcare technologies. This will be supported by our research institutes, the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation and the Institute for Clinical Trials. The University is also planning rollout of a graduate entry medicine programme focused on rural and remote healthcare, which will align with our training of pharmacists. We anticipate that this investment in healthcare-focused research and training healthcare professionals will ultimately translate to better healthcare outcomes in the West of Ireland and throughout the country.
Further information on the University of Galway School of Pharmacy can be found at:
universityofgalway.ie > Undergraduate Courses > College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences > MPharm (Pharmacy); and
Via email at pharmacy@universityofgalway.ie.
What inspired the establishment of this School of Pharmacy, and can you share the vision and mission of your School of Pharmacy?
The RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences was established in 2001 in response to the shortage of pharmacists and pharmacy programmes in Ireland at that time. Since our foundation within RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the patient is at the heart of everything that we do.
Our mission, aligned to the broader RCSI mission, is to educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health. Our vision is to be at the forefront of health services, education and research, responsive to societal needs and with an emphasis on patient centred care for our pharmacy students.
There are defined subject criteria for the MPharm curriculum, but are there other areas or topics that you have included, to ensure your MPharm graduates are prepared for the evolving role of pharmacists?
The role of pharmacists is continually evolving, and our curriculum is designed to prepare students as future leaders and change agents. A key example is the evidence-based introduction of the Prescribing Skills Assessment (PSA) in Year 5, featuring interprofessional, case-based teaching and simulation. Student competency has helped lay the groundwork for future prescribing roles, a key recommendation of the Expert Taskforce.
Seven years ago, through a partnership with St John of God University Hospital and MHFA Ireland, we embedded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) into the MPharm programme. This unique offering equips our students with vital skills to respond to mental health crises.
Students explore areas of personal interest through Year 2 choice modules on topics like sustainability, lifestyle medicine, bystander intervention, and education. Research opportunities are available throughout the programme, alongside Erasmus+ and international placements in France, Spain, Japan, and our China campus.
The School has growing expertise in genomics and personalised medicine, increasingly supported by AI and machine learning. This focus ensures students are prepared for the therapeutics of tomorrow.
What is the annual intake of students to your course?
We have significantly expanded our student intake in response to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science’s funding and support to increase capacity in priority areas. EU/CAO entrants have expanded from 40 in 2022 to 85 in 2024. Our class now totals approximately 130 students annually, including international students (25–30%) and those entering via HEAR, DARE, Scholarship, Graduate, Mature, and Technician routes. We’ve also developed a framework to widen participation and enhance diversity across our MPharm student population.
What type of social and extracurricular activities are available to students?
RCSI Pharmacy students enjoy a vibrant, inclusive extracurricular experience, with opportunities spanning sport, culture, leadership, and personal development. With 35 sports clubs — from soccer and rugby to archery and climbing — students of all levels can stay active along with overseas sporting opportunities including the Rugby Club’s Paris tour and the Boston Marathon. The on-campus gym offers state-of-the-art equipment, fitness classes, and personalised training and nutrition support.
Beyond sport, 52 student-led societies cater to diverse interests, including academic, cultural, artistic, and charitable pursuits. The dedicated Pharmacy Society promotes educational, social and welfare initiatives, hosting events such as career talks, Mock OSCEs and the annual Pharmacy Ball.
The campus calendar is packed with social and cultural events like the International Food Night and Winter Wonderland, ensuring there’s always something happening.
Pharmacy students are encouraged to lead — as Class Reps, Club Captains, Society Chairs, or Sports Union Officers. A dedicated Pharmacy SU Officer ensures their voices are heard at University level, with representation on senior committees.
Leadership development is further supported through the Student Leadership Development Programme (SLDP), covering themes like resilience, self-care, and inclusion. Initiatives like the Student Engagement and Partnership Programme (STEP) and the International Citizenship Programme foster collaboration and global awareness.
Read more about student life at RCSI at rcsi.com > Student life.
RCSI offers a range scholarships for Pharmacy students, supporting access and easing financial pressures. Additional support is available through the Student Assistance Fund and the RCSI Alumni Hardship Fund.
Together, these opportunities create a dynamic environment where pharmacy students can grow, lead, and thrive — both during their studies and in their future careers (see rcsi.com > Undergraduate).
What mechanisms does the School of Pharmacy use to engage with all sectors of pharmacy in your region, and what benefits have you seen from this engagement?
The School actively engages with all sectors of pharmacy through mechanisms that connect academia and practice. Central to this is our External Advisory Board, comprising representatives from community, hospital, industry, regulatory sectors, and patients, ensuring our curriculum remains current and relevant. Our Clinical Partner Liaison fosters strong ties with hospital pharmacists, supporting placements and events like Clinical Partner Evenings that promote collaboration and research. Over 50 Honorary Staff from diverse sectors contribute to teaching, assessment, and student support, enhancing real-world readiness. Pharmacists also participate in OSCEs and Patient Centred Care labs, ensuring students gain exposure to current practices. Alumni events further strengthen professional networks. These initiatives have led to better-prepared graduates, strong employer relationships, and impactful research collaborations.
How does the School of Pharmacy contribute to the longevity and sustainability of the pharmacy profession in Ireland?
The curriculum prioritises person-centered care, equipping graduates with extensive scientific knowledge, practical skills, and professional judgment to address health needs into the future.
Advanced Year 5 modules including ‘Patient care and society’, ‘Decision-making in complex care’, and ‘Leadership in pharmacy: building the future’, foster deep learning and adaptability to evolving pharmacist roles. The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) showcases student excellence in this international standard-set assessment and informs future pharmacist prescribing development.
The unity of focus in the University on producing the highest quality of healthcare providers means that the School co-exists alongside other healthcare schools on the one campus. This fosters Inter-Professional Learning (IPL) where students can learn with, from, and about, each other. We provide pharmacy students opportunities to engage in IPL in each taught semester throughout their programme, along with opportunities for IPL outside the curriculum, including an intervarsity competition entitled the ’All-Ireland Interprofessional Healthcare Challenge’ (AIPEC).
In what ways does the School of Pharmacy collaborate with the HSE, IPU, PSI, IIOP and other stakeholders to enhance pharmacy education and practice?
The School maintains strong, collaborative partnerships with national stakeholders to co-develop initiatives that enhance education and professional practice. These partnerships, often rooted in impactful research, help inform policy and drive innovation in healthcare. Academic staff collaborate with the HSE Quality Improvement Division on safe medicine use and with Health and Wellbeing on health promotion. The IPU contributes to our leadership module and partners with us on the DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme. We also work closely with the PSI through committees and working groups and are launching an HRB-funded project to deepen public involvement in pharmacy regulation.
Staff contribute to national initiatives such as IIOP webinars, evidence-based pharmacy courses, and prescription extension training. Faculty also participate in national bodies like the Expert Taskforce, NREC, CSO committees, PPI Ignite Network, and NCCP.
Our Professional Doctorate and practice-based PhD scholars lead change in areas such as addiction, cystic fibrosis, frailty mental health, and oncology. Practice educators and teacher practitioners, alongside clinical partners, deliver authentic, practice-informed teaching. Guest lecturers from the PSI, HPRA, industry, and emerging specialties further enrich student learning.
A key partnership is with patient and public representatives, who serve on our PPI Committees and School Steering Group. Their input shapes curriculum planning and student engagement. Since its inception, the School has prioritised opportunities for students to learn directly from patients. These experiences are highly valued and have been supported by advocacy groups such as Diabetes Ireland, Arthritis Ireland and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Together, these collaborations ensure our work remains relevant to the evolving needs of the profession, healthcare system, and wider community.
Any interesting vignettes on the impact of the RCSI School of Pharmacy on the health and wellbeing of your local region?
RCSI is committed to advancing human health through education, research, and service. An excellent example of this is, in collaboration with Professor Dolores Keating, we introduced Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to Ireland — now delivered to over 27,000 people via MHFA Ireland. Caroline Hynes led the co-creation of award-winning (Patient Education Project of the Year at the Irish Healthcare Awards), youth-friendly mental health medicine videos, widely used by young people and healthcare professionals across platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
We also deliver on public engagement through the RCSI MyHealth Lecture Series, which demystifies health topics for the public. This will expand with a new public engagement space dedicated to health and wellbeing on St Stephen’s Green, opening in 2026. Additionally, we are developing interprofessional, student-led clinics to support local health and wellbeing — further embedding community-engaged learning into our curriculum.
The School is proud to be part of the highest ranked university in the world for our impact on good health and wellbeing, which is the third UN Sustainable Development Goal.
Further information on the RCSI School of Pharmacy can be found at:
Sinéad McCool MPSI
Professional Services, IPU
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