IPU Hits Out At IMO Statement

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has hit out at a statement about Community Pharmacists issued by the IMO.

The IPU said the statement is an "unprecedented and unfounded attack on the pharmacy profession".

The IMO claimed there is a risk to patient's health and safety if pharmacists are given permission to expand their role into areas which are more properly undertaken by doctors' goes against international evidence that clearly shows the benefits of expanding the role of pharmacists in areas such as providing treatment for minor ailments and vaccination services.

In a statement the IPU said: "Various GP organisations have pointed out that general practice in Ireland currently faces a manpower crisis, which they claim will be worsened by the expansion of free GP care. In England, Scotland and Canada, where demand for GP services exceeds the available capacity, the unique skills and expertise of pharmacists have been used to enhance access to healthcare, generating considerable benefits to both patients and the State.

"In 2014, the UK Royal College of General Practice and College of Emergency Medicine estimated that one in seven GP visits (equating to 51 million visits annually in the UK) and one in twelve attendances at A&E could be dealt with by a pharmacist, who is the health professional best placed to offer advice and treatment for minor ailments. As Minister Kathleen Lynch has previously stated, "Expanding the role of the community pharmacist to include provision of services such as a Minor Ailments Scheme is worth exploring as we seek to further expand and develop the primary care sector."

"Community pharmacists deliver a quality, accessible, personal and professional service that puts the patient first and has as its primary goal the optimisation of the health and wellbeing of society. Patient safety is at the core of everything pharmacists do."

(CD/LM)