Role of Pharmacist in Quality and Integrated Care

Daragh Connolly, IPU President

The Irish Pharmacy Union

Representative body for over 2,200 pharmacists.

The IPU’s primary aim is to lead the community pharmacy agenda in Ireland.

The voice of community pharmacy

Overview of Community Pharmacy Sector

Most liberal pharmacy market in Europe. No restriction on entry to ownership of a pharmacy.

Ireland has a high number of pharmacists per head of population compared to the rest of EU.

Pharmacy Facts:- Average Outlet Opening Hours 56

- Daily Footfall at Typical Pharmacy 162

- Annual Visits to Pharmacy 85mn

- Annual Visits per Person 19

5

Distance from Nearest Pharmacy

Within 1km

Dublin 70%

Rest Leinster 40%

Munster 60%

Conn/Ulster 35%

Urban 66%

Rural 33%

Always/Mainly loyal 55%

Vary use 48%

Use Chain 49%

Use Independent 56%

Use Symbol 62%

Much greater proximity in Dublin, Munster and urban areas. Those living closest to a pharmacy are more loyal overall and indeed more likely to use an Independent (or a Symbol group member.) Chain users under-represented in the under 1km group.

1km 53%

1-2km 22%

2-5km 10%

Over 5km 15%

Q.2a How far are you from your nearest pharmacy?

What Pharmacists Currently Do

• Cross-checking prescriptions to minimise the risk of adverse drug reactions;• providing detailed information and support on medicines use and

management; • promoting awareness of general health issues, e.g. diabetes, cholesterol,

blood pressure; • promoting medical compliance, with favourable implications for patient

outcomes;• providing advisory services on minor health problems to the general public; • Work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals including GPs and

Nurses to ensure quality and delivery of optimum healthcare to patients.

Not just dispensers of medicines

Development of our rolePharmacists would like to provide more services:• Minor Ailments Service• Health Screening• Chronic Disease Management• More Vaccination Services• Switching - POM to P• Medicine Use Reviews

Public Opinion Survey

Public Attitudes to Pharmacists

Behaviour and Attitudes Survey February 201697% of people rate highly the quality of professional service received

from their pharmacist. • “I trust the advice and patient care I receive from the pharmacist” –

95%.• “I am in favour of pharmacists being able to provide services to

improve patient adherence to medicines” – 92%.• “I am in favour of pharmacies providing some medicines for minor

ailments- 93%• “I would like to see the pharmacy offering services such as blood

pressure monitoring and cholesterol testing” – 89%.• “I am more likely to go to talk to the pharmacist first now ahead of

visiting the GP” – 60%.

Developing Integration

• Integrated Discharge Planning

• Personalised Medicine • Electronic Health Records (EHR)

• ePrescribing

11

International Examples of Integration & the Expansion of the Role of the Pharmacist