New strategy seeks to transform Longford pharmacies into dynamic healthcare hubs

A new white paper has been launched by the Irish Pharmacy Union. The white paper is outlining a policy framework to transform pharmacy care in Longford by turning pharmacies into key healthcare hubs and improving access to community care.

According to the IPU, pharmacies, with the right strategy and resources, can play a greater role in improving access to community healthcare.

The launch was held to mark World Pharmacy Day in Dublin last Wednesday, 25 September.

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Senator Micheál Carrigy and TDs Joe Flaherty and Robert Troy were in attendance. 

Tom Murray, President of the IPU spoke at the event.

“With 78 million visits per year pharmacies are the most accessed part of our healthcare system. However, the absence of a national pharmaceutical care policy limits their potential.”

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To enable the rollout of this vision Murray said “Pharmacy care will require the appropriate level of resourcing. Many pharmacies, particularly those in rural areas, are facing financial difficulties due to outdated payment structures and rising costs.”

 “The average pharmacy receives almost two-thirds of its income from the State for providing care through the community drug schemes. The fees provided for this care have been frozen since 2009, and pharmacies like every other business and individual, have experienced soaring operational costs.”

In conclusion Mr Murray said, “There is so much exciting potential in pharmacy care. It is possible to revolutionise our pharmacy care services within a few short years, but it will require vision and, above all, the proper resourcing of our pharmacies to make this a reality.”