Changes in pharmacy ‘must be implemented’ — Minister for Health
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has told Irish Pharmacist (IP) that while changes to expand the scope of pharmacists’ practice are important, lack of implementation may damage public trust in the profession.
Speaking to IP at the recent launch of the PSI’s Corporate Strategy, Minister Carroll MacNeill was asked about her personal trust in pharmacists to adapt to new responsibilities, and the scope of the changes proposed. “I have total confidence in pharmacists [to deliver expanded responsibilities]. This is the vision that we all have for pharmacy — the PSI, the IPU, and the Department of Health — and it is not to deliver this for anyone but the Irish public,” the Minister said.
“Pharmacists are looking after the public on a day-to-day basis, and I know they want to deliver this enhanced vision of what pharmacy can do in every town in Ireland, and I’m so excited to work with them to deliver and enable that vision,” she told IP. “It is important that where we do make developments and changes, that they do get implemented. For example, I know they public would be delighted to get their prescriptions for free, and they are already delighted to have their prescriptions extended, which has been in place since September. So it’s important that these measures are actually implemented,” she continued.
“If those changes are made and not implemented, that will reduce public confidence, and we don’t want that… personally, as a new Minister, I have total confidence in pharmacists to take those big steps forward on their own behalf, but as I’m sure they would agree, on behalf of the people they serve in every town in Ireland.”
See the May issue of Irish Pharmacist for the full article
