Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called on the Government to seriously consider the enhanced role our community pharmacies could play in our health service, not least in relieving pressure on our hospitals and GPs.

Teachta Crowe said:

“The Irish Pharmacy Union were in before the Oireachtas Health Committee yesterday and they had some very innovative ideas about the enhanced role our community pharmacies could play in our health service, not least in relieving pressure on our hospitals and GPs.

“The network of existing pharmacies is vast. 85% of our population live within 5 km of one. The potential for our community pharmacies to play a greater role in our health service is enormous. Pharmacies delivered over 1.3 million COVID-19 vaccines, showing the reach and ability to provide for their communities.

“Their role in preventative care cannot be underestimated. Their role in helping people stop smoking or delivering shingles vaccines for instance could make a huge difference for individuals and programmes like these should be rolled out to any pharmacy that wants them.

“The IPU put forward their proposal for a Minor Ailment Scheme whereby people with minor injuries or illnesses could consult with their local community pharmacy team, receive an assessment of their symptoms, and receive a combination of advice, medication or referral to other services.

“The Health Committee was told that one million appointments could be freed up by patients utilising the existing infrastructure of community pharmacists for their minor ailment. That could be a huge boon to our health service.

“Capacity to receive patients is one of the huge pressure points in our health service. People wait hours and even days in our Emergency Departments. Families wait months or years to find a GP that will take them on. If we can free up some of that capacity by empowering our community pharmacies, then I think that is something that has to be seriously considered.”