Pharmacists to administer flu jabs under 5-point plan

PEOPLE will be able to get the flu vaccine from pharmacists after Health Minister James Reilly met with the pharmacy union to discuss the plan yesterday.

Pharmacists administering the flu jab was just one part of the Irish Pharmacy Union’s (IPU) five-point plan discussed with Dr Reilly yesterday.

Other aspects include access to high-quality generic medicines at lower prices; an “open door policy” to deliver better healthcare for patients who require access to chronic disease management; a medicines use review to enhance patient safety, deliver improved outcomes and reduce downstream healthcare costs through structured medi-cines use reviews; and a greater role in health promotion, including services on smoking cessation, weight management, and diabetes and cholesterol screening.

Dr Reilly said the new role for pharmacists in giving the flu jab could lead to savings of €12 million.

“For the Exchequer, it’s a better deal,” he said, adding that doctors would continue to provide vaccinations as well. “Notwithstanding any legal issues we hope to have this ready to roll in the autumn.”

He said it would be a better deal for the customer and would hopefully result in a greater take-up of the vaccine, thereby reducing the number of people getting ill.

“I think this is a good news story for the taxpayer and the patients.”

IPU president Darragh O’Loughlin said: “Our five-point plan clearly states how savings can be achieved by expanding our professional role within a partnership approach of all stakeholders. This, we believe, will deliver a better health service for patients which are at the centre of the change agenda for healthcare in this country.”

The IPU also wants the health minister to appoint an independent chairman to lead a joint review of all existing administrative, contractual and payment arrangements involving pharmacists, and said it was open to working with Dr Reilly in delivering on his healthcare agenda.