Pharmacy Union White Paper to transform Mayo pharmacy care

The Irish Pharmacy Union has launched a new White Paper, outlining a policy framework to transform pharmacy care in Mayo.

Plans include turning pharmacies into key healthcare hubs and improving access to community care. The IPU set out that with the right strategy and resources, pharmacies can play a greater role in improving access to community healthcare.

Both Minister of State Dara Calleary and Michael Ring TD attended the event held to mark World Pharmacist Day in Dublin this week. 

_{IPU President Tom Murray with Michael Ring TD and Clare Fitzell of IPU (Photo: Chris Bellew)}

Speaking at the launch, Tom Murray, President of the IPU, commented: “With 78 million visits per year, pharmacies are the most accessed part of our healthcare system. However, the absence of a national pharmaceutical care policy limits their potential.”

To enable the rollout of this vision, Mr Murray explained: “Pharmacy care will require the appropriate level of resourcing. Many pharmacies, particularly those in rural areas, are facing financial difficulties due to outdated payment structures and rising costs.”

He continued: “The average pharmacy receives almost two-thirds of its income from the State for providing care through the community drug schemes. The fees provided for this care have been frozen since 2009, and pharmacies, like every other business and individual, have experienced soaring operational costs.”

Mr Murray concluded: “It is possible to revolutionise our pharmacy care services within a few short years, but it will require vision and, above all, the proper resourcing of our pharmacies to make this a reality.”