The Minister for Health has signed the legislation enabling pharmacists to provide a new Common Conditions Service to the public and has welcomed the launch of dedicated training for pharmacists to support its implementation. The service will expand community pharmacists’ ability to support and treat patients for an initial eight common conditions, including allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain medicines where this is the most appropriate option.
The PSI-specified training for pharmacists has been developed by a multidisciplinary team at RCSI in conjunction with the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) and is now available on the IIOP website. Pharmacists intending to provide the Common Conditions Service must complete the training and undertake the service in line with the agreed clinical protocols developed by the HSE. The training will build upon pharmacists’ existing knowledge and expertise in medicines, clinical care, and antimicrobial stewardship. In addition, the PSI has published guidelines to support pharmacists and pharmacy owners with their legislative and other requirements for the provision of a safe, patient- centered Common Conditions Service.
Speaking about the Common Conditions Service, Joanne Kissane, Registrar and Chief Officer of the PSI, said: “This marks an important milestone for pharmacy and for patients in Ireland. The aim of this new community pharmacy service is to improve access to care and treatment at a local level.
“The Common Conditions Service will expand community pharmacists’ ability to further support patients in the management and treatment of certain common conditions and, where appropriate, enable them to prescribe certain medicines.
“It is our role, as the pharmacy regulator, to assure patient safety and continued public trust in pharmacy.
We are pleased that comprehensive resources are available to support pharmacists and guide pharmacies in establishing this valuable service for patients. Pharmacists intending to provide this service must complete the required training, which is now available to them. We will continue our engagement with pharmacists and their teams, the Department of Health, and others, as this service is established and rolled out across the country.”
