The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has announced the election of Caoimhe McAuley, Director of Pharmacy and Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots Ireland, as its new President.
Ms McAuley has served as Vice-President of the IPU for the past two years, representing the full breadth of community pharmacy
and supporting all members regardless of employment setting. She has been a consistent voice for unity within the sector, emphasising that a strong IPU is a united one.
Addressing pharmacists at the IPU National Pharmacy Conference 2026 in Carlow, Ms McAuley highlighted the importance of ensuring that the funding environment keeps pace with the evolving role of pharmacy. “The cost base for pharmacies continues to increase. The upcoming June fee review is therefore a critical opportunity to ensure that funding arrangements reflect the reality that 82 per cent of dispensary revenue is publicly funded and pharmacies are effectively price takers on the majority of their business.”
This issue, she noted, is not solely a financial matter but one that directly affects access to pharmacy services in communities across the country, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas, “Pharmacies have taken on significant reform, expanded services, and new clinical roles. What we need in return is a funding model that keeps pace and enables us to deliver
those services sustainably, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas where pharmacies are often the most accessible healthcare touchpoint.”
Ms McAuley also called for Government support to fully enable pharmacists to meet the infrastructure and connectivity requirements of an increasingly digital healthcare system.
“There is a clear opportunity to fully enable pharmacists to contribute to the digital era,” Ms McAuley said following her election. “This requires transparency, alignment and support from the State to ensure pharmacies can connect to and work effectively within national health systems. Community pharmacy has embraced digital change, but we now need the infrastructure, engagement, and support to manage that agenda.”
Addressing workforce challenges, Ms McAuley emphasised the need for a structured and collaborative approach with Government. “Pharmacy is a people-led service. If Government wants pharmacy to carry more of the load in primary care, then there must be a clear plan for the workforce required to deliver that. We want a real workforce strategy, developed with the Department, ensuring that the profession can attract, develop and retain the people needed to meet growing demand and deliver high-quality care into the future.”
Having joined Boots in 2007 as a community pharmacist, Ms McAuley progressed through a series of leadership roles before being appointed Superintendent Pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy in 2017. Speaking on her appointment as IPU President, she said her focus will be to ensure that community pharmacy continues to evolve in line with patient needs.
“It is a privilege to take on the role of President of the Irish Pharmacy Union at a time when community pharmacy is playing an increasingly central role in delivering care to patients across Ireland. We are at an important point for the profession. There has been real progress, but there is more to do to ensure that pharmacies are supported to deliver for patients in a way that is sustainable, forward-looking and reflects the role we are now being asked to play.”
See the next issue for coverage from the IPU National Pharmacy Conference 2026
