The Employee Pharmacist Committee (EPC) of the IPU launched their transformative strategy for 2024 – 2026 at an event on 13 November in Butterfield House. This follows on from the IPU’s White Paper, Key Enablers for a Sustainable Pharmacy Model — Pharmaceutical Care at the Heart of Healthier Communities, which sets the stage for a future where community pharmacies become dynamic healthcare hubs. Employee members make up a large number of the members of the IPU and are an engaged, dynamic and active group within the Union.

 

A vision for the future

The IPU aims to transform community pharmacies into dynamic healthcare hubs at the heart of the community. In this future, pharmacists will play a central role as trusted healthcare partners, empowered to practice to their full personal scope in the delivery of advanced clinical services. The IPU advocates for the seamless integration of pharmacies into the broader primary healthcare ecosystem, ensuring continuity of care and maximising pharmacists’ expertise to drive positive health outcomes for all individuals across Ireland.  The EPC shares the vision of the White Paper.

 

The role of the Employee Pharmacist Committee

The EPC is pivotal in this transformation, representing the interests of community pharmacy employees and advocating for their professional and economic interests. The Committee’s responsibilities include:

• Promoting the interests of employee members;
• Ensuring professional development opportunities;
• Providing access to relevant information and support; and
• Raising the profile of the IPU among pharmacists, especially students, interns, and newly qualified professionals.

This is the first time the EPC have dedicated time and effort into developing a Strategy for employee members of the union. The Committee asked for the support of Dr Cecily Roche, Lorraine O’Rahilly and Claire O ’Cleary to share their expertise and support the development of this Strategy. Employees from diverse governance roles also gave input into the Strategy. The resulting Strategy has identified long-term goals that will transcend the lifetime of this current committee. It has also identified objectives and short-term actions for the Committee to deliver within their term of office.

Strategic goals and objectives

The EPC has set ambitious goals to support the IPU’s mission and vision.  

EPC Goals
Advocate for the transformation of community pharmacy into integrated, dynamic healthcare hubs.	Build the reputation of the IPU amongst employee pharmacists as a progressive and essential organisation.	Empower pharmacists to maximise their skills and work to their full personal scope.

• Advocate for transformation: The EPC aims to transform community pharmacies into integrated, dynamic healthcare hubs. This involves strengthening relationships within the pharmacy profession, participating in national and international forums, and advocating for modern working conditions and improving public awareness about the work practices of community pharmacists in relation to current and new services. The EPC are also pivotal in setting up the Employer Employee Forum independently chaired by pharmacist and Dublin Chamber CEO Mary Rose Burke;
• Build reputation: The EPC seeks to enhance the IPU’s reputation among employee pharmacists by clearly communicating its purpose, benefits, and impact. This includes developing a comprehensive communications plan, improving access to resources, and expanding outreach programs. It also includes improving public awareness about the work practices of community pharmacists in relation to current and new services and making appointments; and
• Empower pharmacists: Empowering pharmacists involves supporting professional autonomy and developing an employee value proposition (EVP) that articulates the unique benefits of a career in community pharmacy. Professional autonomy refers to the right and ability of pharmacists to make independent decisions within their scope of practice, guided by the Code of Conduct and patient needs. When registering as a qualified professional pharmacist you gain professional autonomy. Each pharmacist must have the professional confidence to use it. By focusing on professional autonomy and a strong EVP, the Committee aims to create a sustainable workforce that supports the development of dynamic healthcare hubs.

 

Conclusion

By embracing innovation and collaboration, the IPU is poised to enhance patient care and ensure that pharmacists remain at the heart of healthier communities. This Strategy not only sets a clear path for the future, but also underscores the IPU’s commitment to advancing the role of pharmacists in Ireland’s healthcare system. With the EPC leading the charge, the future of community pharmacy looks bright.

 

If you’d like to know more about the work of the EPC or become an employee member of the IPU, more information is available at ipu.ie.

 

Benefits of employee membership

Members are our number one priority, from professional support with complaints and inspections, HR mediation and the Jobs Portal, there are many benefits to employee membership.  More information on benefits of Employee Membership are available to view at ipu.ie > Membership > Benefits for Employees Brochure.

Student membership

There is also a dedicated Student area on the ipu website for those training to be pharmacists of the future, see ipu.ie > Membership > Student Membership Benefits.

Wellbeing supports

Membership of the IPU gives you access to free confidential counselling from VHI for you and your family. IPU members can also avail of Confidential Career Coaching and Management training, also through VHI. The availability of resources to support the wellbeing of pharmacists is something the EPC is particularly passionate about.