In a significant expansion of the role of pharmacy, an expert taskforce has recommended that pharmacists in Ireland should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions.
An initial list of eight conditions — allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis, and vulvovaginal thrush — have been recommended by the taskforce in a report.
With the move, pharmacists will be able to provide advice and treat these common conditions, and when appropriate, prescribe prescription-only medicines through established protocols.
The Department of Health said pharmacists will be given the opportunity to undertake training to deliver this new service.
“The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) will arrange for the delivery of this training which will delivered over the coming months. Patients will then be able to access treatment in a community pharmacy for these eight conditions to begin with,” it said.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the move will alleviate pressure on GPs. “I want this Common Conditions Service to be in place in early 2025. The service will be scaled-up over time, but we will start with these conditions,” he highlighted.
Additionally, in a bid to improve patient care and access, pharmacists can extend the validity of prescriptions from the current maximum period of six months to 12 months, starting September 1.
The taskforce also recommended the development of models of pharmacist prescribing across the health service. In other nations, this has involved pharmacists prescribing for more complex conditions in specific settings.
“Pharmacists are highly trusted, highly accessible and highly skilled. They are not yet being supported to work to their full potential. Today’s report was produced by experts including doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. It provides an excellent roadmap for the further expansion of pharmacists’ role,” Minister Donnelly added.