Pharmacists are calling for an increase in the number of medicines that are available without prescription.

According to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), allowing pharmacists to provide more medicines would ease some of the pressure on Ireland's ‘already over-burdened health system'.

Such a move would mean that patients could have some of their health problems and conditions treated without facing the cost of visiting their GP in order to get a prescription.

This in turn would free up GPs' time and allow them to focus on more complicated cases.

IPU president, Kathy Maher, insisted that allowing pharmacists to provide more medicines ‘is a step in the right direction to facilitating the effectiveness of self-care and self-medication'.

"As part of an integrated healthcare policy, which allows patients to manage their own health and wellbeing with the professional advice of their pharmacist, we are calling on the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to accelerate the reclassification of certain prescription-only medicines to improve the public's access to medicines through a pharmacist," she said.

She noted that medicines that could be reclassified include fluconazole tablet or capsule for thrush, chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis and low-dose aspirin (75mg) for prevention of stroke and heart disease.

A survey carried out on behalf of the IPU earlier this year found that three in four people strongly agreed that pharmacists should be able to prescribe some medicines for minor ailments.

"Embracing a philosophy of self-care can lead to real, measurable savings in healthcare expenses. Pharmacists can play a critical, expanded role in this area, utilising their accessibility and professional capabilities to benefit patients in partnership with them and other healthcare professionals," Ms Maher added.

The IPU made its call to coincide with World Pharmacists Day (September 25).