IMO is concerned about patient safety under the prescription plan

The president of the Irish Medical Association (IMO) has said he has concerns about patient safety over a new policy that will allow pharmacists to diagnose and write prescriptions for eight common conditions.

The first list of conditions is allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis and thrush.

These changes should come into effect early next year.

Entrepreneurs will be trained by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to deliver the new service.

From September, entrepreneurs will also be allowed to extend certain GP orders from the current six to 12 month period.

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 “low” when it is separated.

“It’s one thing to be able to give an order for something that’s not the same and to be able to know what the situation is,” he told RTÉ’s Drivetime.

Dr. McCauley also said that the symptoms of normal conditions can sometimes be signs of serious problems and can cause a delay in the patient getting the right diagnosis.

The IMO president said: “Sometimes the signs are not what they seem.

“I think there’s a tendency … where they think you can replace a doctor’s job with another organization when really the only way to replace a doctor is with another doctor.”

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the changes would reduce pressure on GPs and the service would be extended to other settings.

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Minister Donnelly said businesses would have the ability to operate a “standard service”.

“There are a lot of people who have a little problem with it, they need a prescription, the pharmacist can tell them right away what it is… but you have to go to your doctor.

“GPs are busy. In some parts of the country, it’s getting better, in other parts of the country I know people are still waiting a long time to get to their GP,” he said.

He added: “This is all about speeding up and making it easier for the public to get medicines. It’s good for the public, it’s good for pharmacists and GPs because it will free up their time for them. more complex.”

However, the fee for the new service is still to be agreed with businesses and the minister said discussions with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) about the price for medical card holders are still ongoing. they will be arrested.

Mr Donnelly indicated that private patient payment would be at the discretion of each pharmacist.

“That will be an issue for every pharmacist. So for the three out of four people in the country who don’t have a rewards card the pharmacist will be able to put that.

“I think the way it’s going to work is that some of the interviews will be quick. They’ll be able to say ‘look, you’ve got conjunctivitis or a little rash’, but some interviews may want to check the weight. of bodies, blood. pressure and will probably have a different scale.”

The Expert Work to Support the Expansion of the Pharmacy Sector was announced today by the minister.

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The IPU welcomed the recommendations, but IPU President Tom Murray said the union would urge its members not to implement changes for public and private patients until the long-term pay decision is resolved.

Minister Donnelly said the department would be instructed to enter formal salary negotiations with the IPU after the 2025 Budget.

He said: “They’ve had a long-standing request for their fee structure now, for the huge amount of work they’re already doing, for those fees to be increased. It’s been a long time since- have an increase.

“What I have said to them throughout the year, and I am happy to repeat it now, is after the Budget, when we know how much money is available…I am going to order my department that you enter into legal negotiations. and IPU.”

Mr Murray said the award was 16 years old and the union wanted to see significant progress before implementing any changes.