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About the Conference
Right Care, Right Place, Right Time
- We had a great weekend at the annual IPU National Pharmacy Conference, with an action-packed agenda, an exciting lineup of speakers and a comprehensive exhibition space. It was great to see so many members in person and to see their energy and enthusiasm for community pharmacy and the direction of the profession.
- There were excellent presentations throughout the event from our colleague Adam Osprey in Community Pharmacy Scotland on “Pharmacy First” (Minor Ailment Scheme), where he shared the learnings from this service in Scotland and what to watch out for as we start on our journey in Ireland.
- We also heard about the future and digital health from Lars-Åke Söderlund, Vice-President International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), and he provided food for thought on how to position community pharmacies to meet patients’ expectations.
- Insights were also provided by Tony O’Brien, former Director General of the HSE and Jim Gavin, Head of the Irish Aviation Authority and former Dublin football manager. Our own Jonathon Morrissey, Chair of CPC and Rachel Dungan gave an excellent presentation on ‘Positive Pharmacy’ with some tangible actions for improvements in practice.
- The panel for the ‘Great Debate’ contributed to a very lively and interesting discussion and would have continued if it had not been for the Minister's arrival.
Address by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly
- The Minister, Stephen Donnelly TD, delivered what could only be described as a very positive address in which he outlined the ongoing and future engagement with the pharmacy profession. He was clear that he sees pharmacists as essential professionals in the enhanced delivery of community healthcare services and is supportive of policies to allow pharmacists to practice to their full scope.
- Indeed, both the Minister and Tony O’Brien highlighted the need for all healthcare professionals to practice to the full of their license as we deal with an ageing population and rising patient expectations.
- The Minister referenced the Expert Taskforce and his support of their activities and in particular, his support for the expanded role for community pharmacists. He clearly indicated that he would like to facilitate pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments and to introduce a medicines shortages protocol to facilitate pharmacists to substitute medicines more readily when there are supply constraints.
- He also referenced his agenda in Women's Health and his support to facilitate legislation that will allow women to access contraception following consultation with a pharmacist.
- The Minister acknowledged all the good work that is taking place in community pharmacies and was very complimentary of the support pharmacists provide in their local communities.
- He acknowledged that community pharmacists have received no fee increase in 16 years. He highlighted the positive engagement and representations that the IPU has advanced both internally within the Department of Health and with the wider political establishment.
- He indicated that while a resolution has yet to be found, he and the team are committed to working with the IPU and their representatives to ensure that engagement continues that will ultimately facilitate the future stability of the sector.
- We will now be engaging with the Department of Health officials over the coming months to ensure that we find a resolution that will provide a stable platform for the delivery of advanced services and increase the professional role of pharmacists in the future.
- We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees for their support and for their contributions to what was a very successful Conference.
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