A comprehensive review into what we know about Covid-19 and the way it functions suggests the virus has a unique infectious profile, which explains why…
Delivering pharmacy care on the frontline of a pandemic
Irish Pharmacist speaks with pharmacist Eamonn Brady about working in care homes during the height of Covid-19 Eamonn Brady owns two pharmacies in Mullingar, having…
More than two-thirds of the public may now have hand dermatitis due to stringent hand washing during Covid-19
The dermatological impact of Covid-19 was a hot topic at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2021 Spring Symposium. New research presented at…
Pharmacists call for urgent clarity on when they can begin vaccinating against Covid-19
Pharmacists across the country are still “in the dark” as to when they can begin administering the Covid-19 vaccine. This is according to the Irish…
‘Postcode lottery’ within HSE could slow down vaccine roll-out for priority groups
The roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland could be slowed down by a ‘postcode lottery’ that has developed within the HSE. This warning was…
Covid transmission influenced by blood transmission rules — research
Accumulated evidence worldwide shows that blood type affects the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with blood Type O being less susceptible and non-O blood types more…
Researchers work on repurposing drugs to manage early-stage Covid-19 progression
Researchers from VA Boston Healthcare System, the University of Cambridge, EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), and Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) have used a large-scale…
Covid-19 risk increases with airborne pollen — research
Increased pollen concentrations correlate with higher SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, recent research has concluded. When airborne pollen levels are higher, increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates can be…
Call for pharmacists to be utilised to stop vaccine targets being missed
As the HSE struggled to meet its Covid-19 vaccine campaign targets, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) urged the Minister for Health to boost vaccination capacity…
Study uncovers relationship between travel and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Anna Wedderburn reports on a recent Irish study that demonstrated the link between the second wave of Covid-19 and international travel A study led by…
Escape to victory: New research shows how SARS-CoV-2 mutates to evade antibody binding
In a recurring pattern of evolution, the Covid-19 virus escapes immune responses by selectively deleting small parts of its genetic sequence, according to new research…
Scientists develop new technique that rapidly quantifies immune response following vaccination
A global team of researchers has developed a new strategy for fast and reliable antibody tests, which can quantify the immune response induced by vaccination…
European Medicines Agency publishes new information on Covid vaccines
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced that it has published new information on the latest additions to its Covid-19 web page and the precautionary…
Pharmacists ‘have solutions to some of the Covid vaccine complications’
The Irish Pharmacy Union has urged Government to supply community pharmacists immediately with the AstraZeneca vaccine so they can start vaccinating frontline healthcare workers who…
FIP develops tool to support regulators in implementing pharmacy-based vaccination programmes to combat pandemic
Ministries of health and regulators can now make use of a tool produced by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to enhance strategies and create the…
PSI approves pharmacist training on Covid-19 vaccine
The PSI has approved the HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) training for the Covid-19 vaccination programme. Completion of this training will allow pharmacists who are…
The case for increasing buprenorphine use as OST during Covid-19
Consultant in Addiction Psychiatry Dr Ciaran Somers analyses the potential advantages of an accelerated move to buprenorphine from methadone in pharmacies and GP clinics during…
A shot in the arm for Covid treatment
TILDA scientists have revealed vital evidence to inform HSE Covid-19 vaccine roll-out and boost uptake and efficacy of the vaccine in older adults As vaccination…
Pharmacy staff ‘must be prioritised for Covid vaccine’
Pharmacists are under unprecedented pressure as Covid-19 infection rates continue to fluctuate but despite the levels of exposure they are facing, they are receiving no…
National Covid vaccination programmes ‘must take local storage conditions into account’
Mass vaccinations which need to be carried out to decrease the impact that Covid-19 has on Europe will confront health systems and healthcare professionals with…
Plan to allow pharmacists vaccinate public against Covid-19 welcomed
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the recent announcement by Government of funding that will allow for a comprehensive community-based Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Speaking…
FIP launches Commitment to Action on improving vaccination coverage through pharmacies
As part of a new International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Commitment to Action on Improving vaccination coverage through pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy…
Pharmacists’ key role in vaccine plan welcomed but ‘bureaucracy must be streamlined’
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the central role that will be played by pharmacists in Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign. However, following the publication…
FIP expert group issues advice for pharmacists on Covid-19 tests
To help pharmacists advise people on Covid-19 tests, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has issued a guidance document produced by FIP’s SARS-CoV-2 Testing Working Group,…
Dangers of ‘fake news’ during the Covid-19 pandemic
New research from University College Cork has highlighted the dangers of misinformation in relation to the Covid-19 ‘infodemic’. The research, which has been published in…
People urged not to present at pharmacies while awaiting Covid-19 test results
Pharmacists are increasingly concerned that people awaiting Covid-19 test results continue to present at pharmacies, and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is reiterating the HSE…
Robotic project used for Covid data could be extended in flu season
A surveillance robot project recently deployed by the HSE during Covid-19 data processing may be used for other respiratory infections during the coming flu season,…
Government urged to ‘repay the commitment’ of pharmacists during Covid-19
Marking World Pharmacists Day on 25 September, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) paid tribute to the dedication shown by the country’s pharmacists throughout the Covid-19…
Lessons learned from Covid-19 — EAHP survey on the future crisis preparedness of hospital pharmacies
The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has launched a survey to collect information on the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey on…
Clinical trial shows common steroid improves recovery and survival for Covid-19 ICU patients
A global study involving more than 200 intensive care units around the world has found that delivering intravenous hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, improves recovery and survival…