Joint Educational Sessions for Pharmacists June 2009

Date: 20 May 2009

Following the initial sessions in the Spring 2009 programme, the PSI, ICCPE and HSE continue their joint educational initiative around the implications of the Pharmacy Act 2007, with a further joint session on the Code of Conduct for pharmacists.

Every pharmacist, regardless of their area of practice, must be aware of their obligations under the Code.

It is also essential that every superintendent and supervising pharmacist in particular is aware of the requirement that they support and facilitate compliance with the Code by pharmacists under their management.

In addition, there will be a presentation on the role of pharmacists and pharmacy in the event of an influenza pandemic, focusing on the key clinical and professional issues relevant to pharmacists.

These educational sessions will be held at nine different locations nationwide over three weeks during June.

(See information below regarding dates and venues).

1.   Pharmacy’s role in an Influenza Pandemic

With the emergence of a novel form of influenza A (A/H1N1) and its rapid spread to many geographically distant countries between March and May of this year, the possibility of a resurgence of the virus in the autumn should be of concern to everyone in health care.

Pharmacy and pharmacists have a significant role to play in the public health measures that will need to be taken, and it is important that pharmacists are well informed of the critical professional and clinical issues relevant to influenza pandemic planning.

In order to advise and inform Government and the Health Services of the relevant issues, and to support pharmacists in their role, an Influenza Pandemic Pharmacy Advisory Taskforce has been established. This taskforce consists of the PSI, IPU, hospital and academic pharmacy sectors working with pharmacist and public health medical colleagues in the HSE.

This educational session is being carried out with the support of this taskforce.

Dr Martin Henman of The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin has prepared a brief presentation:
•         to outline the evidence about Influenza A/H1N1
•         to describe and explain the national strategy adopted to date
•         to review the use of antivirals, of antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection and of medicines for symptomatic relief
•         to set out the role of the pharmacist in the care of individual patients, and in particular their role in Public Health in the circumstances of an influenza pandemic

2.   PSI/ICCPE/HSE educational session: Pharmacy Act 2007: the Code of Conduct for Pharmacists

The Pharmacy Act 2007 requires the PSI to draw up a Code of Conduct for pharmacists, the main purpose of which is to guide all pharmacists in the practice of their profession, and in respect of their dealings with patients and members of the public.

The statutory Code of Conduct for pharmacists, which was formally laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in February 2009, is a six-principle Code which places the patient at the centre of the practice of the pharmacy profession and applies to all registered pharmacists regardless of their area of practice.

As well as supporting the professional practice of pharmacists, the Code sets out the core principles which patients, members of the public, other healthcare professionals and society generally, require and expect from registered pharmacists.

The Code is also significant in that breaches of the Code may be considered 'professional misconduct' under Part 6 of the Pharmacy Act 2007, which relates to complaints, inquiries and discipline, and provides for a 'fitness to practise' system for pharmacists.

Each educational session will include an in-depth look at the six principles of the Code of Conduct for pharmacists, as well as an outline of Part 6 of the Pharmacy Act 2007.

The session will include a presentation by the PSI on these provisions, followed by a practical exploration of the implications for practice through discussion on a number of case study scenarios.

Application:
The application form for these sessions should be promptly returned to the ICCPE office.

Places at these sessions are limited, so you are encouraged to book early.
(Please note that in the event you cannot make the session you have booked, you are kindly requested to inform the ICCPE office so that your place can be allocated to someone else).

Further information available on the ICCPE website at www.iccpe.ie

Day/Date/Location/Venue
(all sessions start at 8pm sharp)
Mon. 8 June    Waterford: Tower Hotel
Tues. 9 June    Limerick: Clarion Suites Hotel, Ennis Rd
Wed. 10 June Cork: Silversprings Hotel
Mon. 15 June Dublin South: Stillorgan Park Hotel
Mon. 22 June Dublin West: Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley
Tues. 23 June Dublin North: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry

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