IPU Professional Services Pharmacist Lara Marín reports from the PSI Council meeting, which took place on 2 March.
The PSI Council met for a public meeting on 2 March 2023 with Joanne Kissane at the helm as the new Registrar and Chief Officer.
During the public session, the Registrar provided an update on the Emerging Risk to Future Pharmacy Workforce project. This a priority project for the PSI which has hosted a number of focus group meetings comprised of superintendent pharmacists, supervising pharmacists, support and locum pharmacists, hospital pharmacists and 4th and 5th year pharmacy students. These focus groups have provided insight into the challenges and opportunities community and hospital pharmacy professionals face. Outputs will form an important part of the overall project.
A Workforce Intelligence Report will be presented to the Regulatory and Professional Policy Committee in April 2023.
The PSI is engaging with the Medical Council regarding matters relating to pharmacists’ interventions (for example, prescription amendments) in relation to prescriptions and the challenges with the use of Healthmail in practice.
The PSI will be communicating with the Department of Health to outline issues observed as necessary.
The Registrar also highlighted the significant contribution community pharmacies have made in the delivery of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Community pharmacies have administered more than 1.3 million COVID-19 vaccines (10.5% of all vaccines administered since the start of the national programme). For the autumn/winter booster campaign, community pharmacies administered 25% of all vaccines administered nationwide.
Council approved an update to PSI training information for vaccinations and emergency medicines in response to National Immunisation Advisory Committee changes on the management of anaphylaxis following vaccination.
The PSI noted their commitment to improving knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance in the pharmacy profession including amongst pharmacy students. They aim to ensure that these areas of practice are an integral part of the delivery of pharmacy services. Relevant guidance for retail pharmacy business will be reviewed this year and will be informed by HSE’s Antimicrobial stewardship: Guidance for all healthcare settings.
A query was raised as to whether the PSI were considering providing resources for pharmacists to use in their practice to increase awareness of antimicrobial resistance among the profession and members of the public. PSI President Muireann Ni Shúilleabháin noted that the IPU currently provide a range of such resources. PAMS-net, the Pharmacist Antimicrobial Stewardship Network, was also cited as a resource for pharmacists.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes were made to the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (as amended), to facilitate how prescription-only medicines, including controlled drugs, can be supplied to patients by pharmacists to ensure continued care and treatment for patients. These legislative changes are due for review, and the PSI have provided feedback, including a risk assessment on medication supply in current practice, to the Department of Health as part of this review.
The PSI Council agreed to extend the Corporate Strategy 2023 for another year taking into consideration the current PSI workforce situation. The Corporate Strategy plan was based on a number of posts that were expected to be sanctioned. However, not all the expected posts were sanctioned by the Minister. The Registrar indicated an intention to review core projects and focus on what can be delivered. The Registrar clarified that there are 15 key strategy projects of which, 13 are on-track, one is due to commence in October 2023 and one relating to the PSI Business Transformation Programme, which is currently off-track.
The PSI is in the process of implementing a revised TCQR (Third Country Qualification Recognition) route process. A public consultation is underway on the revised PSI Registration Rules. This consultation is available on the PSI website, www.psi.ie.
The Council approved revised adaptation period training placement criteria. Amongst the changes is an allowance for tutors to supervise more than one applicant.
Some Council members expressed concern regarding the risk that having more than one student may pose to the pharmacy practice. The Registrar explained that only certain work environments would be considered suitable for accommodating multiple students (for example, size, work volume, number of registered pharmacists and pharmacy support staff). It was also highlighted that having more than one student on the same premises has the potential to benefit the students by providing additional peer support and engagement.
The ongoing roadblocks encountered by TCQR applicants when it comes to accessing a visa to carry out the adaptation period were also discussed. It was clarified that while the new process will have no impact on visa matters, the PSI is engaging with the Department of Health to assess how these issues can be overcome to enable applicants to obtain a suitable visa.
The President sought approval of the appointment of a Chair of the Business Transformation Progamme Board. Dr Paula Barry Walsh was appointed and approved for this role.
Then the President sought approval of the Appointment of a Chair of the Performance and Resources Committee. Dr Ann McGarry was appointed and approved for this role.
Finally, the President sought approval of the Appointment of a Member of the Business Transformation Progamme Board. Ms Gráinne Power was appointed and approved for this role.
The Registrar also provided an overview of the progress of internal progress such as the HR information system, the blended work policy and the PSI’s workforce recruitment.
Briefly, the Registrar informed Council about recent engagement with, and communications issued to, registrants.
Fintan Foy provided an update on the BTP Board, and Katherine Morrow sought approval from PSI Council on the Regulatory and Professional Committee 2023 workplan. Paul Turpin provided clarification on the content of the Procurement Policy and on the revised Corporate Procurement Plan 2021-2023.
Lara Marín
Professional Services Pharmacist, IPU
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