Archive 2013

PHARMACY REGULATOR REPORTS NEW EDUCATION AND TRAINING FRAMEWORK LAUNCHED BY TAOISEACH

June 04, 2013

The new undergraduate pharmacy education and continuing professional development (CPD) framework in Ireland is positioning the country at the forefront internationally of pharmacy innovation and education, according to Acting Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) Registrar/CEO Ciara McGoldrick.  
 
She was speaking at the publication of the regulator’s Annual Report, which highlighted the launch by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD of the Irish Institute of Pharmacy and the National Forum for Pharmacy Education & Accreditation which are to facilitate excellence in patient care in Ireland.

“Work on progressing the implementation of the five-year fully integrated Masters degree in pharmacy is ongoing, and establishing the main operating principles and structures of the Institute was an important step in 2012,” Ms McGoldrick said.

“In 2012 the PSI Council also approved the first core competency framework for pharmacists which will be the cornerstone of the educational reforms and support pharmacists with their CPD throughout their careers. The PSI has also continued to work closely and effectively with other regulatory bodies both at home and abroad over the year, as well as completing a baseline analysis of hospital pharmacy practice which provides valuable insight into services being delivered in this area in Ireland.  We now look forward to 2013 and, as a member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), co-hosting the FIP World Congress in Dublin later this year.”  

The Annual Report 2012 states that the total number of retail pharmacy businesses on the PSI register at the end of 2012 was 1,784, an increase of 27 pharmacies from 2011.  The number of new openings decreased from 48 in 2011 to 45 in 2012.
 
In 2012, a total of 48 formal complaints were received under Part 6 of the Pharmacy Act 2007.  This is almost a 30% reduction on 2011 figures where 68 complaints were received in the same period and represents for the first time since the commencement of the Act a decrease in the number of complaints received annually.

49 complaints were referred to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) in 2012, the disciplinary committee which advises the PSI Council  on whether there is sufficient cause to warrant further action being taken in relation to complaints received about registered pharmacists or registered retail pharmacy businesses.   This is a decrease on the 61 complaints referred to the PPC in 2011.  

Of these 49 complaints, it was decided that there was sufficient cause to warrant further action in relation to 13 complaints, all of which were referred to the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) for inquiry.  No complaints were referred to Mediation or to the Health Committee in 2012. The PPC determined that there was not sufficient cause to warrant further action in respect of 33 complaints received in 2012.  Three complaints were withdrawn by the complainant.  The PPC outlined in its 2012 annual report that the highest level of complaints related to dispensing errors and that there had been a marked reduction in complaints involving codeine.  
 
Other highlights over the year included a new PSI Communications Strategy which will inform the development of the PSI’s next corporate strategy and consolidates the PSI’s communications and relationships with patients, the public, the profession and pharmacy owners.  Monthly newsletters are now circulated to all registered pharmacists along with quarterly newsletters to relevant stakeholders. The PSI issued video podcasts on its website throughout 2012 to promote understanding of the legal and practice requirements for supplying to patients in residential care settings, and on the pharmacy inspection process.

In 2012 the PSI also issued revised guidance on the safe use of oral methotrexate in collaboration with the national Medication Safety Forum.

As a member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) will co-host the FIP World Congress in Dublin in 2013.  A prestigious event for Ireland and Irish pharmacy, it is the largest international gathering of practicing pharmacists, academics, industry leaders and scientists in pharmacy.  The Congress will be held in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) from 31st August to 5th September 2013. Significant work took place in 2012 in relation to the promotion of the 2013 event both locally and internationally.

In 2012 the PSI vacated its property at 18 Shrewsbury Road and relocated to temporary premises while the new city-centre headquarters was refurbished. The new headquarter office on Fenian St, Dublin 2 is essential to facilitate and support the PSI’s role in the ongoing development of the profession, and in providing facilities for the PSI to improve its engagement with pharmacists, patients and other stakeholders.
 
In May 2012, the Council of the PSI also re-elected Mr Paul Fahey as President of the PSI, with Mr Eoghan Hanly re-elected Vice-President.
 

The full PSI Annual Report for 2012 is available to download here.

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