Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh le ballraíocht Aontas Cógaslanna na hÉireann ar ócáid shuntasach, 50 bliain ó bunaíodh an eagraíocht.
May I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the members of the Irish Pharmacy Union on the significant occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the organisation. Achieving this milestone signifies a half-century of steadfast dedication and invaluable contributions by its members to our nation’s well-being, serving as an important reminder of the vital role that pharmacists play in promoting public health.
Community pharmacists hold a special place in the heart of the communities across Ireland. Over the past five decades, your tireless efforts, expertise, empathy and compassionate care have touched countless lives, offering guidance, support, and provision of vital medications to those in need.
Throughout the years, community pharmacists have been champions of equality, helping break down barriers to healthcare access, and ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, receives the care they deserve.
You have not only provided essential medications but also served as trusted sources of guidance and education. The ability of pharmacists to communicate complex medical information in a compassionate and understandable manner has empowered individuals to take charge of their health, fostering a culture of prevention and well-being. Your role as educators, advocates, and healers has enriched the lives of countless Irish people, safeguarding our collective well-being. By playing this integral role in providing accessible and essential healthcare services, your dedication in ensuring the health and wellness of our citizens has made an important impact on our society, building a stronger, more resilient, and healthier Ireland. In commemorating the Irish Pharmacy Union’s 50th anniversary, may I express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication to promoting equality, health, and the betterment of our society. I thank you for your invaluable contributions over the past five decades, and may your ongoing efforts continue to shine as a beacon of hope and healing, guiding Ireland towards a brighter, healthier future. Tréaslaím libh is beir gach beannacht don todhchaí.
I am very pleased to have this opportunity to say thank you to community pharmacists all across the country for the important work you do, and the really valuable contribution you make to Irish society.
Three quarters of all pharmacists are working in the community pharmacy setting, and you play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of the nation. Ireland’s life expectancy is one of the highest in Europe and patient outcomes are improving all the time. I know that the availability of a local pharmacist and pharmacy in almost every town, often at evening and weekends, has contributed to this.
People depend so much on their local pharmacy, and we were all reminded of this during the pandemic. Community pharmacists and pharmacy staff really rose to the challenge during the worst of it, keeping your doors open to the public in challenging times, and stepping up to do a great job on the vaccination programme. I have also been impressed at other services you provide from regular vaccines, to screening and emergency contraception.
As you will know, Government is keen to expand the role of community pharmacists and Minister Donnelly has set up an Expert Taskforce to work on this. It 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. We want to see pharmacists enabled to use their expertise to assess, treat and prescribe for common minor ailments within a community pharmacy setting. Pharmacists are such an integral part of the overall health system, helping to keep people in the community healthy and well. We look forward to working with pharmacists to expand this role and increase your positive impact in local communities. Lastly, congratulations to the Irish Pharmacy Union on its 50th anniversary. I look forward to continuing to engage with you in the years ahead.
The HSE would like to offer it’s congratulations to the IPU on its 50th anniversary. 2023 has been an exceptionally busy year for community pharmacists meeting the healthcare needs of our communities and we thank them for their continued support and hard work.
Over the last 50 years, pharmacists have become an important pillar for healthcare in their local communities, where their level of medical expertise, accessibility and dedication to their patients has contributed positively and significantly to patient health and wellbeing. The accessibility of pharmacists combined with their extensive expertise in medicines has made them a significant health service within the community. Both the public and other healthcare professionals recognise the contributions that pharmacists make to patient care, through information on medicines and medicine management, both of which are delivered in an efficient, comprehensive and patient centric manner.
The IPU and community pharmacists have worked in partnership with the HSE to deliver on service developments such as the Free Contraceptive Scheme, initiatives like “Safe Pharmacy” for victims of domestic abuse, health promotion campaigns such as the QUIT programme and sexual wellbeing, as well as providing everyday advice and treatment for those with minor illnesses which may not require a GP visit or prescription. Pharmacists have also played a leading and vital role in the success of Ireland’s vaccination programmes to date, specifically for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and the enhanced flu vaccine programme. Delivering vaccines to people of all ages, playing a unique role in ensuring vaccines are accessible to people in communities, close to their homes and from a trusted healthcare professional.
We appreciate the work of community pharmacists in looking after the needs of their local communities, whether it be for trusted health advice, prescription medications or vaccination programmes, and we look forward to continuing to work together for the health and wellbeing of our population.
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