Pharmacists have called for an initiative which would assist patients in keeping to the course of medicines they are prescribed.

The IPU has called on Health Minister James Reilly to expand the role of the pharmacist to provide patients with medicines use reviews (MURs).

This, the IPU says, would lead to more adherence to treatment, less medicine wastage, better patient outcomes and ultimately a more cost-effective and efficient health service.

An MUR is a consultation-based service undertaken by a pharmacist to assist patients to understand and manage their medicines to ensure they get the greatest benefit from their treatment regime, according to the IPU.

The move, pharmacists say, will not only benefit patients but will also save the State millions of euro by improving treatment outcomes, which ultimately will have a major positive impact on the demands for primary care and front-line health services.

The IPU points out that that nearly one in two patients with long-term (chronic) conditions do not take their medicines as intended, according to research.

"MUR services have been implemented in other jurisdictions and have been shown to benefit patients by identifying and resolving problems or issues that they have with their medicines and by increasing the understanding of patients as to what their medicines are for and how to take them correctly," the IPU said.

The IPU added that a recent MUR pilot review it carried out involving 135 patients showed positive results, leading to improved patient understanding and compliance with medications.