Harney launches new Masters-level pharmacy programme

Health Minister Mary Harney today launched a new National Pharmacy Internship Programme which will introduce a Masters in Pharmacy in Ireland for the first time.

The new Programme will be delivered by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

The M Pharm will be awarded by the National University of Ireland and accredited by the PSI (Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland), the pharmacy regulator.

Minister Harney welcomed the cooperation between the various stakeholders in bringing this important development to this stage.

"Professional development requires lifelong learning," said Dr Terry McWade of the RCSI.

"For our interns this is the beginning of a new and exciting journey from which they will emerge to make significant contributions to the delivery of our healthcare system.”

The National Pharmacy Internship Programme will be provided for the next three academic years by the RCSI, with the assistance of the Schools of Pharmacy at Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork.

Each intern will undertake a placement which will include the mandatory six-month clinical requirement under the supervision of a tutor pharmacist in either a hospital or community pharmacy.