About the IPU

The Irish Pharmacy Union is the professional, representative organisation for community pharmacists in Ireland.

Membership is open to all registered community pharmacists in accordance with the terms of the Union’s Constitution.

As pharmacists, our commitment is to deliver a quality, accessible, personal and professional service that puts the patient first.

Our objectives are:

• To promote and advance the professional and economic welfare of our members;
• To conduct negotiations on behalf of members to ensure that they are adequately remunerated for the professional services they provide;
• To develop and maintain a constructive dialogue with government, agencies and other groups in relation to matters of mutual interest;
• To assist members in the provision of high-quality services to pharmacy users by developing and providing pharmacy and general business services
• To develop and maintain services to members in order to facilitate the achievement of their professional and business objectives;
• To enhance the image and credibility of pharmacists and to foster good relations with the public and all other collegial groups and organisations;
• To promote the ethical, responsible and competent professional activities of members.

In 1973 the Irish Pharmacy Union, formerly the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, was established (having emerged from the Irish Drug Association). Comdt. Jim O’Farrell was elected its first President with Tom Miller elected the first Vice President. It was evident to the pharmacists of the time that there was a need for an organisation distinct from the regulatory body that would solely represent their interests.

Though negotiating with Government and other third party players has been at the core of the work of the Union throughout the years, the Union has become nationally prominent in advocating the recognition of the role of the pharmacist as a health care professional.At the same time the Union has developed and made available to its members increased benefits ranging from product file dispensing software to advice on a whole range of legal and other matters. In response, membership has continued to grow as the Union actively works to respond to members’ needs and concerns.