Expansion of pharmacists' role to save patients money on GP appointments

TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, has said that Fianna Fáil is ensuring that patients who find themselves attending GP appointments for common ailments will save money due the expansion of the role of community pharmacists.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today published the final report of the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy.

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The report lists eight common conditions that community pharmacists, after undergoing training, can offer advice and supply medicines for.

Deputy Murnane O'Connor said: “In government Fianna Fáil in working to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all and the expansion of the role of community pharmacists is key to this.

“As outlined by this expert report, pharmacists will be given the opportunity to undertake training so they can offer self-care advice, supply over the counter (OTC) and prescribe prescription medicines for allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, uncomplicated UTI/cystitis and vulvoginal thrush. This list of conditions can be extended over time as the service evolves.

“Patients with these conditions, instead of paying for a GP appointment, will be able to instead get the advice and medicine they need from their local pharmacy.

“Community pharmacists already provide advice to people every day on their medication and this expansion is an extension of what they are already doing.

“Expanding the role of community pharmacists increases the range of options available to people.

“Patients being able to seek care and advice for simple, common ailments from their community pharmacist will save them money on GP appointments and will free up capacity in our healthcare system where needed for more complex ailments.”