Hosted by broadcaster Anton Savage, there were twenty awards presented in the 2024 Pharmacy Excellence Awards across a variety of categories, including the IPU-sponsored Patient Nominated Award, which was won by Tadhg Scanlan of Tierney’s Pharmacy, Co. Wicklow. The IPU’s Head of Strategic Policy Clare Fitzell, was also honoured with a Silver Award in the Excellence in Pharmacy in Non-Patient Facing Roles category. Mary Dowd received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for her work as a Case Worker for the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund.

Speaking on the IPU’s sponsorship of the Patient Nominated Award, Clare Fitzell said; “The IPU is delighted to be sponsoring this award as it celebrates pharmacists who have made a profound impact on their patients’ lives. This category honours these hard-working healthcare professionals who consistently demonstrate exceptional care, compassion and expertise in pharmacy practice. This award holds special significance because it reflects the voice of those who benefit most from our care — the patients we serve. All the pharmacists in this category received nominations from the patients that they serve, and we wish the very best to all the nominees.”

Ms Fitzell added; “The Pharmacy Excellence Awards provides an opportunity to come together as a profession to celebrate and honour the exceptional contributions of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the wider pharmacy teams. These awards raise the visibility of our profession, highlighting innovative practices, dedication to patient care and demonstrate how pharmacists throughout Ireland are striving to improve patient outcomes across different practice settings.”

Ms Fitzell said pharmacies play a vital role in the Irish healthcare system; “Pharmacists as the most accessible of healthcare professionals, have a pivotal role in the provision of community care, whether that be in the provision of advice, signposting and referral, vaccinations or in the delivery of excellent pharmaceutical care through the core role of ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines. Medicines are the number one healthcare intervention we make in public health, and pharmacists, through collaboration with patients and prescribers, have an important role in ensuring their effective use. This role is even more important as our population ages, with increasing co-morbidities and complexity of medicine regimes. In an era of misinformation, pharmacists are approachable, trusted, and a reliable source of professional advice, empowering patients to make informed healthcare decisions.”

The IPU congratulates all nominees and winners at this year’s Pharmacy Excellence Awards.