The Pharmacy Taskforce is running a Public Consultation to gather views about expanding the role of pharmacists in Ireland from Thursday 16 May to Friday 28 June 2024.
On 24 July 2023, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly established an Expert Taskforce to create polices that will enable the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland. The aims of expanding the role of pharmacists are to:
- improve access to healthcare for people
- reduce the workload for doctors in general practice
- increase the healthcare services which pharmacists can provide for people
The Taskforce has identified pharmacists prescribing some medications as a potential expansion of the role of pharmacists. For example, pharmacists prescribing under a Common Conditions Scheme. Under such a scheme, pharmacists would be able to prescribe and supply some prescription-only medicines for uncomplicated conditions, without the need for a doctor’s visit. Pharmacists prescribing has been done in other countries for common conditions such as, sore throat, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, common skin infections such as impetigo.
The Taskforce is currently conducting a Public Consultation to gather views about a Common Conditions Scheme and about the expansion of the role of pharmacists generally. The results will help the Pharmacy Taskforce develop recommendations about expanding the role of pharmacists in Ireland.
Are you a registered medical practitioner?
Are you a health or social care professional?
Do you represent a healthcare or pharmaceutical organisation?
Are you an interested member of the public?
You can tell us what you think via this online survey:
If you have any questions about this Public Consultation or if you would like to provide additional feedback email pharmacyconsultation@health.gov.ie
Have your say! This Public Consultation will close on Friday 28 June 2024.