PHARMACY PROFESSION TO DELIVER MORE SERVICES SAYS NEW PRESIDENT
July 24, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013: Pharmacists delivering more services like vaccinations, screening and disease monitoring to facilitate faster and more efficient care for patients will be key strategic objectives for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the Pharmacy Regulator, over the next five years, according to its new president, Eoghan Hanly.
Speaking at the launch of the regulator’s new Corporate Strategy 2013-2017 by the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, Hanly said the previous PSI strategy, based on the implementation of the Pharmacy Act 2007, had put pharmacy services and the regulation of those services in Ireland on a solid foundation.
“The three-year period covered by the previous PSI strategy has been marked by significant achievements in relation to the overall drive to improve patient safety and outcomes. The establishment of the new Irish Institute of Pharmacy, the creation of the National Forum for Pharmacy Education and Accreditation, and an effective Fitness to Practise framework have all brought significant benefits to both patients and the practising profession,” Hanly said.
“But now we must ensure that we complete the important work we have started to support the Pharmacy Ireland 2020 vision, and that the full benefits of this work are brought to bear for patients, for the public, and for those working in the healthcare system, including pharmacists and pharmacy owners. The significant economic turmoil, the demographic pressures of an ageing population, and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases mean pharmacists in Ireland and internationally have a key role to play in becoming more centrally involved in the delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based healthcare services. The pharmacy profession in Ireland is now much better positioned to meet the challenges of providing effective, safe and high-quality services to patients and the public over the next five years. And the PSI will continue to support the pharmacy profession in this context.”
Mr Hanly said that continuing to work closely with Government was a fundamental pillar of its Corporate Strategy and in particular the implementation of the aspects of the 2012 policy document “Future Health” which relate to extending the scope of pharmacy practice to support public health. In line with international evidence on best patient outcomes, the PSI corporate strategy committed to a multi-disciplinary approach including working with the HSE and other key healthcare providers and stakeholders to improve patient outcomes.
The key objectives outlined in the Corporate Strategy 2013-2017 include: promoting lifelong learning, continuing to assure high standards of patient care and good pharmacy practice; facilitating the development of pharmacy as a profession in Ireland; ensuring fair registration procedures and delivering an effective compliance system.
2013 also sees Ireland host the international FIP Congress, noted the document, and the coming together of 3,000 pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in Dublin later this year to examine and discuss the latest developments and global best practice within pharmacy.
The corporate strategy document states that the PSI, as the pharmacy regulator, acts to protect and promote the health, safety and well-being of patients and the public. It aims to ensure that pharmacy services are delivered in a competent, professional and ethical manner and in an appropriate environment, to the highest standards of quality care and best practice, and well-being of patients and the public.
The full PSI Corporate Strategy 2013-2017 document is available to download from the PSI website.
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