One of the great things of having been in pharmacy for decades is the ability to look back and wonder what we, as a collective of pharmacists, could have done differently. The pharmacy contract of the early 1990s, although subsequently hobbled, was a seminal moment. I remember when the contract was announced, like most of my colleagues, I was blindsided. All the negotiations were behind closed doors. We were represented by the captains of our profession, who wanted to raise all our boats. They delivered a contractual recognition that community pharmacists had a professional obligation to independently look after their patients. This was truly momentous.  Like many profound changes, it was only in retrospect that the importance became clear.

Most people had focused on geographic restrictions on the openings of pharmacies. Unfortunately, the restrictions very much became a double-edged sword. Rather than secure all pharmacies, it simply gives a massive competitive advantage to incumbents. We saw the rise and disappearance of the MBAs, talking big games and undermining professionalism. Ironically, if geographic restrictions had been followed up with key changes, it is quite possible that community pharmacy in Ireland would be some of the most progressive in the world. There is always an element of would have, should have, could have.

Yet, we’re not in the worst place. We have shown, through our actions, that we can deliver vital professional services to the public. While COVID has, for now, effectively receded in our rearview mirrors, we collectively demonstrated that we were a key part of primary care. This lesson is not going away. Thirty years ago, community pharmacists demonstrated how a motivated and informed set of professionals could deliver key progress for their profession. It was a very different time. Meetings were held in person. If you had something to say, you had to craft an argument and win a room. Discussions where often hot and heavy. Yet, we could all leave the room and retire to the bar for a convivial conversation. Keyboard warriors had yet to make their toxic presence felt.

One of the paradoxes of the modern age, with the arrival of mass communications, is that many have lost the ability to talk, argue and understand. It is the dialogue of the deaf. In an era of influencers and transience, some values remain. A key one is the ability to stand at the pharmacy counter and communicate effectively with a patient. We get to the core of their issue and provide solutions. We are so good at it that the public invariably put us at the top of the most trusted professions. It is a two-way street. When I stood in my pharmacy and told my patients that I need to make a living, they understood. They were shocked when they heard that we had a pay freeze for 17 years. Like most of you, I am part of my local community. What is good for the area, tends to be good for all. Everyone understands this.

I am also part of the pharmacy community. Like you, I have voted for people that I feel confident will represent the profession well. So, we are now at yet another inflexion point of our profession. Our elected representatives have worked really hard on our behalf. We have an exceptional group of advocates assembled. We have seen them in action, remaining calm in the face of exceptionally difficult conversations. Just as important, they are articulate and clear headed. They share our vision of what pharmacy can deliver for the country. One that has been created and honed by generations of pharmacists. They will not secure everything we want, but they will secure what we need.