Pharmacists to prescribe prescription-only medications for common conditions

10000maniacs

About bloody time.

Hopefully the list of ailments under the scheme will grow with time.

Having to go to a GP and fork out €80 to get a prescription for something that was obvious to everyone always seemed to be a bit of a racket to me. At the very least very unfair.

Me: "My back pain has come back".

Doc: "Ill write you a prescription and prescribe you 30 painkiller tablets. €80 please."

If its obvious what is wrong, let the pharmacist double confirm that its obvious.

JP Liz V1

IMO seems worried for patient safety

I was under the impression that most of these conditions already could be treated with over the counter medication

https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0813/1464748-pharmacy-ireland/

highpitcheric

mon the xanax.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364208/pharmacists-to-prescribe-prescription-only-medications-for-common-conditions

80 quid? Ouch. 60 to see my GP, 40 if it's a return visit.

igCorcaigh

They list the relevant illnesses, but do they list the medications?

What could they prescribe for cystitis, say, if not an antibiotic?

Potential-Monke

I don't see this getting abused at all.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122499500#Comment_122499500

IMOs concern over pharmacist prescribing (and also medicines changing from prescription to pharmacy only) is losing the quick and easy private visits; always has been, always will be.

10-10-20

Concerning that the pharmacist who's possibly already checking 300+ items per day, and not getting the mandated breaks, might now be dragged aside for conversations around cystitis, conjunctivitis, oral thrush etc - in addition to the daily load. Perhaps the IPU should look after the health of their members before they expect them to take on more non-revenue generating tasks in a day.

gipi

Non-revenue generating? It mentioned on the news last night that pharmacists will be able to set the consultation fees for this service - they won't be doing it for free.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501096#Comment_122501096

I take that part back then - it was not mentioned in the initial article. Anyhow, the rest still stands.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501071#Comment_122501071

As opposed to the daily load on the GPs instead? How is that working out, appointments time wise?

Greengrass53

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501021#Comment_122501021

not like it's being abused by the GPs anyway.

Greengrass53

Your concern for the millionaire pharmacists is touching

Deep Thought

I thought it was only for repeat prescriptions for long term meds?

Beta Ray Bill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122499500#Comment_122499500

They've only themselves to blame.

They've known for years that there was going to be a major shortage of GP's and did absolutely nothing meaningful about it.

It's hard to get a GP now, there are no more walk in GP's, you could be waiting a week to see one in some places which is ridiculous.

That in turn is the reason it's €80 to see a GP in some places.

You're looking at the guts of 10 Years to become a GP, That was grand in the 80's when things were slow moving and becoming a GP was vocational and a family tradition/business. But in todays fast moving world that setup is a relic.

Allowing a pharmacist to prescribe medication probably isn't great, but what else can they do?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501365#Comment_122501365

It's not apples with apples. GP's in a practice operate off a booking schedule and typically have 15min per patient and can therefore schedule-in breaks between appointments (as well as typically being physically seated during many sessions), while pharmacists have little ability to schedule due to the dispensing policy effectively requiring a pharmacist onsite while the doors remain open; the opening of which is mandated by their pharmaceutical contract with the IPU.

My point is that many pharmacies which operate with a single pharmacist and a high volume of scripts are unable to schedule sufficient breaks, and due to the customer-facing nature of the role where they are often already dealing with difficult customer situations - which increases the pressure on the pharmacist to complete scripts within a timely manner.

I understand that it's opt-in but I'd like to see the IPU address the elephant in the room in terms of member welfare rather than adding pseudo medical sessions into the already complex mix of services offered. I don't think that's an excessive ask.

plodder

Seems like a good idea. It always looked to me like pharmacists are over qualified for the job they currently do.

CatLick

Makes sense, plenty of pharmacies in most Irish towns. It also answers two perennial questions

1 - Why do I need another prescription when nothing has changed.

2 - what do pharmacists do apart from count pills out like penny sweets.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501452#Comment_122501452

If it is an elephant in the room, it doesn't need this initiative for it to be addressed.

So I do think it is "excessive" to shoot down this initiative across the board because of it.

It is an opt-in initiative, and pharmacists can for example setup an appointment system to manage such scenarios, only have so many slots per day.

L1011

Lots of pharmacies have slot booking systems for vaccination season anyway.

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501560#Comment_122501560

Counting pills out like penny sweets is not all they do. An elderly relative of mine is trying their best to get Ibuprofen but the pharmacist refuses to supply it because there are restrictions on this product due to age and possibly other medication they are taking. Thank goodness the pharmacist knows how to do more than just count pills.

star61

I often wondered why Dentist's don’t do vaccinations or prescribing. Their job involves both.

Pauliedragon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501560#Comment_122501560

I don't see the need to get a renewal every 6 months either. I don't even see the Dr the receptionist just e mails the chemist across the road. €20 to send an e mail.

BraveDonut

The last time I asked my pharmacist for Nurofen I was made to feel like a bloody criminal

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122502833#Comment_122502833

Nurofen Plus, or normal ibuprofen?

The former has specific restrictions on what it can be sold for and how often.

Vote4Squirrels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122502833#Comment_122502833

Before my pain worsened and needed a script and I got put on the old opiates - I asked for Nurofen Plus, the local Boots were 5 minutes away from getting the spaniel and the rubber gloves out!

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122502695#Comment_122502695

They do for things within their scope: I've had antibiotics from one for a tooth infection.

Esel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122502390#Comment_122502390

You can buy ibuprofen in regular shops - unless you mean something like Nurofen Plus (contains codeine)?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122504044#Comment_122504044

Not in the Republic you can't.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122504044#Comment_122504044

In the North yes but not in ROI. Only paracetamol and aspirin outside of chemists here.

Esel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122504049#Comment_122504049

My mistake so.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122499500#Comment_122499500

I'd trust the healthcare provided by my pharmacist more than any care I'd receive from a doctor at this stage. The IMO shouldn't be allowed to dictate health policy in this country.

However, Dr Denis McCauley, who is a GP in Co Donegal, said that a report commissioned by the UK parliament showed that patient care becomes "sub-optimal" when it is fragmented.

"The other thing is being able to prescribe for something isn't the same as being able to diagnose for a condition," he told RTÉ's Drivetime.

Patient care couldn't be any less fragmented in this country. Getting an appointment, let alone a diagnosis would be a fine thing ffs. I worked in a pharmacy years ago and the resident pharmacist predicted it would or should go this way as they were beginning to roll out the MAP through pharmacies at the time. (along with the fee for gmc prescriptions) The IMO couldn't give a fiddlers about patient safety, their only concern is the people they are paid to represent. (and they dgaf about you either)

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122504044#Comment_122504044

You made me think I'd mixed them up but Ibuprofen is what my relative mentioned to me. As others have said it's not offered otc, so it must be right.

Podge_irl

At the end of the day, pharmacists have less training than doctors in terms of diagnosing and treating diseases. Such a move will 100% have an impact on patient safety however with a limited and targeted set of medicines in their purview the balance could be positive overall given the state of the GP network. Medicine in general, as with many other areas of life, is about balancing different risks.