Latest News
Succeeding in New Year’s Health Resolutions: Ask Your Pharmacist First
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 14:28
As the New Year begins, healthy resolutions are made and with Operation Transformation fever hitting the nation, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is encouraging members of the public to ask their local pharmacist for advice and support on any health concerns they may have for 2012. Whether it is to lose some weight or stop smoking, pharmacists, as trained healthcare professionals, can help. Pharmacists can also offer guidance and assistance on managing particular illnesses or conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
Pharmacist Kathy Maher said, “We are encouraging people to ‘Ask Your Pharmacist First’ in relation to achieving their healthcare goals for the new year.
“For example, with a patient trying to give up smoking, we can help by providing information and advice about the different smoking cessation medications available. Managing nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be challenging and we can provide general strategies on helping people to quit.
“In relation to Type 2 diabetes, one of the main contributory factors is increasing obesity. 33% of families are now reporting a member of the family with the condition. We can provide counselling on prevention and management of this condition where a healthy diet is extremely important. “
You can ask to speak to your pharmacist in private, and no appointment is required.
Pharmacists give tips on how to stay healthy over Christmas
Thursday, 08 December 2011 11:09
With Christmas just a couple of weeks away, pharmacists have prepared some top tips to stay healthy this Christmas.
Pharmacist Kathy Maher says “Christmas may be a time of good cheer but it can have its own inevitable hazards. Minor ailments, as well as cold and flu, are common over the festive season, so it’s wise for people to be prepared in advance. We recommend that people consult their local pharmacist to get advice on what essentials to have in the medicines cabinet in the run up to Christmas.”
Pharmacists also want to ensure patients are not left without their medicines during the Christmas period, as last year’s bad weather left patients unable to visit their pharmacist.
Statement by the Irish Pharmacy Union
Friday, 25 November 2011 18:08
The IPU welcomes the conclusions of the interim report of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland that the public can have confidence in the vaccination service provided by pharmacists.
The vast majority of pharmacists who have been trained administered the vaccine correctly. Equally, the vast majority of patients were given the correct dose. Those that administered the incorrect dose followed the incorrect instructions given during a small number of training programmes. Regrettably this resulted in some patients receiving an incorrect dose. Those patients are now being recalled and will be revaccinated shortly. The error was identified and reported to the relevant authorities by pharmacists.
Patients can have every confidence in the skills and competencies of pharmacists to provide this service safely. The IPU and its members will continue to co-operate with all statutory authorities in taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure that an error of this nature never occurs again in any training programmes provided for healthcare professionals.
Information for Patients on Flu Vaccination
Friday, 25 November 2011 15:06
Incorrect information was communicated to a number of pharmacists who recently underwent a training programme for administering vaccinations.
The error involved incorrect advice to pharmacists about the dosage level to be given to patients with the result that a smaller than recommended dose was given to a number of patients. The IPU understands that the vast majority of patients have received the correct dose.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has confirmed that, where a patient has received a smaller dose of the flu vaccine, there are no known safety issues. They have also confirmed that there are no known safety issues with any revaccination and they recommend that patients who received inadequate vaccination should be revaccinated now.
Pharmacists maintain detailed records of all vaccinations administered and will contact those patients who received the incorrect dose and will organise for a correct dose to be administered.
Patients who did receive the correct dose of vaccine will not be contacted but they should feel free to speak to their pharmacist if they have any concerns.
The inconvenience caused to patients is very much regretted.
Pharmacists oppose increase in Prescription Levy
Wednesday, 23 November 2011 11:43
Pharmacists have cautioned against proposals to increase the Prescription Levy for medicines from 50 cent to €2 and to introduce a €50 charge for a Medical Card.
Darragh O’Loughlin, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), said, “An increase of this magnitude - effectively quadrupling the current charge - could present a significant barrier for people who are already facing real financial hardship and would lead to many of these patients simply not taking the medicines prescribed for them. Even the current 50 cent levy has given rise to difficulties for some vulnerable patients. Any increase in costs would increase the number of patients struggling to continue taking their medicines.”
The IPU has called on the Minister for Health to introduce Medicines Use Reviews to make sure patients are getting the full benefit from their medicines and to ensure patients are taking only those medicines which are clearly necessary for their treatment. This would ensure better outcomes for patients and reduced downstream healthcare costs.
Antibiotic Awareness Day - Pharmacists warn overuse of antibiotics is putting patients’ health at risk
Friday, 18 November 2011 10:05
Pharmacists advise “Antibiotics are wasted on colds and flu”
Pharmacists are warning patients that they may be putting their health at risk through the inappropriate or incorrect use of antibiotics. Helping to launch European Antibiotic Awareness Day, which takes place today, pharmacists are advising patients not to take antibiotics for common colds and flu. Patients who are feeling unwell should visit their local pharmacist who can advise them on whether a visit to the GP is necessary.
Darragh O’Loughlin, pharmacist and President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, said, “Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria; however, they are not effective against viruses. The common cold and sore throats are generally caused by viruses and will ultimately clear up on their own. As antibiotics are not effective against viruses, they are not the correct treatment for these illnesses. Your local pharmacist can advise on appropriate medications to relieve your symptoms.”
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