Community Pharmacy Expansion Implementation Oversight Group
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 9 October 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Minister for Health has established a Community Pharmacy Expansion Implementation Oversight Group to implement recommendations from the “Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy”.
The Taskforce has recommended that pharmacists should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions. They have recommended an initial list of eight conditions which can be extended over time as the service evolves. The Taskforce has also recommended the development, over the coming years, of more widespread models of pharmacist prescribing across the health service. The final report from the Taskforce, including details of all of its recommendations can be found here.
The Implementation Oversight Group will be responsible for ensuring:
- implementation of the common conditions service
- development and delivery of training for pharmacists
- optimising operational aspects of the service
- overseeing the development of the necessary secondary legislation
- preparing and delivering communications to the public and other healthcare providers on these changes
The IOG is expected to work together until early-mid 2025. The IOG is chaired by the Department of Health. Secretariat support is provided by the Department of Health.
Members of the IOG
| Niall Redmond (chair) | Department of Health |
| Professor Mary Horgan | Department of Health |
| Kevin Warren | Department of Health |
| Padraig Corbett | Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
| Cora O’Connell | Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
| Damhnait Gaughan | Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
| Dan Burns | Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
| Pat Healy | Health Service Executive |
| Dr Colm Henry | Health Service Executive |
| Nuala Ryan | Patient and Public Advocate |
| Sinead McCool | Irish Pharmacy Union |
| Jonathon Morrissey | Marron’s Pharmacy, Clane |
| Mairead O’Grady | Boots Pharmacy |
| Laurence O’Dwyer | Human Products Regulatory Authority |
| Lucy Wyse | Human Products Regulatory Authority |
In addition, the IOG is supported by members from across the Department of Health working in policy areas related to pharmacy, public health, and contraception.
Terms of Reference
Agendas and Minutes
Meeting 1: 12 September 2024
Meeting 2: 3 October 2024
Meeting 3: 14 November 2024
Meeting 4: 10 December 2024
Meeting 5: 9 January 2025
Meeting 6: 6 February 2025
For any queries on the work of the IOG please contact pharmacyexpansion@health.gov.ie.