A major change to healthcare in Ireland, could be about to free up busy GP offices.
Pharmacists are poised to take on an expanded role, with new responsibilities that include prescribing medications for a list of common conditions.
Following recommendations from an expert taskforce, pharmacists will soon be able to prescribe treatments for eight specific ailments: allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis and thrush.
These changes are expected to be introduced later this year, marking a significant shift in how healthcare services are delivered.
To equip pharmacists for these new duties, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland will offer specialized training, ensuring that pharmacists are fully prepared to manage these conditions.
On top of that, starting in September, pharmacists will have the authority to extend the duration of certain GP prescriptions from the current limit of six months to 12 months, offering greater convenience for patients.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed these changes as a positive step forward for the profession.
However, the union has also taken a firm stance, advising its members not to implement the new prescribing powers for both public and private patients until an ongoing pay freeze issue is resolved.
This pay freeze has been a point of contention within the profession for some time, and the IPU believes that it must be addressed before pharmacists take on these additional responsibilities.