Importance of pharmacists during pandemic highlighted

Most people believe that pharmacies are highly accessible and that the range of services they provide should be expanded, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has said.

It has just published the results of the 2021 Irish Pharmacy Index, its 15^th annual study which measures public attitudes to pharmacy in Ireland.

The study found that 48% of adults said that the Covid pandemic has had some, or a significant impact, on their health. However, the importance of community pharmacies has increased during this time.

According to the findings, 54% of people visited their GP less often during the pandemic, with many opting to consult with their pharmacist instead.

Some 85% view pharmacies as highly accessible, compared with 51% for GPs and just 13% for hospitals.

Some 57% believe that pharmacies are increasing in relevance and there also appears to be clear support for them expanding the range of services they provide. The study noted that 88% of people favour the availability of vaccines in pharmacies, while 95% feel that pharmacists should be able to prescribe medications for minor ailments.

The study also found that pharmacists appear to play a key role in the health of younger adults. Someone under the age of 25 is four times more likely to have been to the pharmacy in the last week than a GP.

Commenting on the findings IPU President, Dermot Twomey pointed out that the role of the community pharmacy “has been expanding and increasing in importance for many years”.

“This accelerated during the pandemic as pharmacies kept their doors open during each lockdown. With people visiting GPs less, or GPs favouring virtual appointments, the accessibility of pharmacies is driving healthcare in our communities,” he insisted.

Mr Twomey emphaised that the profession had “stepped up during the pandemic in a big way” and pharmacists managed to administer over 215,000 Covid vaccines in just two months.

“Prior to that, when called upon and empowered to do so, we extended and repeated prescriptions for patients for up to nine months when other healthcare providers weren’t available, to ensure safe continuation of patients’ medication and to help manage their existing health conditions. Both are examples of how increasing the role of pharmacies can rapidly lead to successful results,” he commented.

He said that pharmacists have the ability and experience to provide more services, such as a pharmacy-based triage programme, including a minor ailment scheme.

“These services are being offered by pharmacies in other countries and the approach is working. It’s more efficient for patients and is more cost effective for the State. The public wants this and pharmacists want this. All we need now is for the government take notice and to start availing of this huge potential,” Mr Twomey added.