Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
748. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health his plans to enhance the role of pharmacists here that would see this profession being allowed to diagnose minor ailments and supply appropriate treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36773/13]
View answerPharmacists play an important role in the delivery of healthcare in Ireland, including in ensuring that patients are provided with safe and appropriate medicines and advice, and have the potential to play a central role in the development and delivery of our health services. In recent years, community pharmacists have broadened their range of services to include flu vaccinations, emergency hormonal contraception services, advice on healthy eating, support with smoking cessation, and continue, most importantly, to provide advice and support for patients in managing their medications.
Implementation of the Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015 document, which was published in late 2012, is a priority for Government. Delivering on the Government’s goals in primary care will impact on primary care health professionals, including community pharmacists. As part of implementation of Future Health, pharmacists will be expected to identify and contribute to implementing evidence-based and cost-effective solutions to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the healthcare system, by addressing key medication issues such as medicines wastage, inappropriate usage of medicines, supporting and improving chronic disease management and patient adherence to medication.
In particular, the Department is supportive of a further expansion in the role of the community pharmacist into areas such as health screening and intends to engage with pharmacists in this context as plans to introduce Universal Primary Care are further developed.
