The Irish Pharmacy Union has reacted angrily to claims made in a statement today about community pharmacists issued by Irish Medical Organisation President Dr Ray Walley, calling it an “unprecedented and unfounded attack on the pharmacy profession”.
The IPU said the IMO claim "that there is a risk to patient's health and safety if pharmacists are given permission to expand their role into areas which are more properly undertaken by doctors" goes against international evidence that clearly shows the benefits of expanding the role of pharmacists in areas such as providing treatment for minor ailments and vaccination services.
The IPU said that in England, Scotland and Canada, where demand for GP services exceeds the available capacity, the unique skills and expertise of pharmacists have been used to enhance access to healthcare, generating considerable benefits to both patients and the State.
Earlier today, the IMO issued a strong warning of the risks it claimed that will arise for patient health and safety, if pharmacists are given an expanded role into areas undertaken by doctors.
The IMO said that due to economic reasons, pharmacists are seeking to expand their professional roles and move their scope of practice into the treatment and management of patients thus undermining the role of doctors and the patient/doctor relationship.
