Talk the talk

Karl Hilton, incoming president of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, talks to David Clerkin.

What can you tell us about the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU)?

The IPU is the major organisation for pharmacists in the country. It represents community pharmacists, who own pharmacies, as well as employees. We've over 1,400 members in 1,200 pharmacies.

The IPU has called on the Government to ease restrictions on foreign-trained pharmacists working in Ireland. What would be the consequences?

A fair number of our members are Irish pharmacists who trained abroad, mostly in Britain.

Historically there weren't enough places at universities in Ireland. We only produced 70 pharmacy graduates a year until recently. People who trained abroad can't own or operate a pharmacy that's less than three years old, which is unfair. But we also have to remember that, if the rules are changed, Ireland will become the only EU country to allow anyone in from other EU countries to set up without restriction. We're in favour of freedom of movement, but what's also needed is a procedure to determine fitness to practice.

Why do you also want pharmacists to be allowed to provide routine drugs without the need for a doctor's prescription?

This is something that would apply only in very limited circumstances and be subject to strict protocols. We're not trying to usurp the role of doctors and would confine this type of care to superficial skin conditions, upper respiratory tract infections and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. This would free up time for doctors to deal with more serious things. It would result in better patient care and save money for the Exchequer.

You say the Government could save money through better drug procedures. What improvements would allow this?

It's more about efficiencies than saving. Pharmacists can get involved in drug management half of all medicines prescribed aren't taken properly by patients. This results in drug wastage as well as a need for further treatment or additional hospital visits. We'd like to see a structured programme to allow pharmacists to review individual patients' medication over a 20 or 30-minute period.

I understand there's a lot of consolidation among retail pharmacies. What's behind this?

The sector is certainly consolidating. We've the most unregulated pharmacy sector in Europe and this allows chains to increase their presence. But there are a few good reasons why there are also strong independently-owned pharmacies. The major pharmaceutical wholesalers have been offering great assistance for young pharmacists and helping them get established.

You'll have two years as IPU president. What mark do you hope to leave on the Irish pharmacy scene?

My main wish is that the professional role of the pharmacist be enhanced and that we have a level of regulation that allows the level of quality and access to good service to continue.