NEWS HEALTH MINISTER LAUNCHES NEW MEDICINE SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
The Health Minister has launched Northern Ireland’s first strategy focused on the sustainable use of medicines.
‘Valuing Medicines: A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Medicines in Northern Ireland’ aims to support improvements in the use of medicines within the Health and Social Care (HSC) system, ensuring they add value to health, are cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said, “With annual medicines expenditure now reaching £875 million, it is vital that we all work together to make the best possible use of our medicines.
“My Department already delivers significant efficiencies from the prescribing budget through the Medicines Optimisation Regional Efficiency (MORE) programme, which saves around £20 million each year. However, further action is still needed.
“Medicines optimisation not only delivers cost benefits for the HSC system, it can also help reduce carbon emissions, improve patient
safety and ensure equitable access to innovative treatments and technologies for future generations.”
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison added, “Medicines have a vital role in helping to prevent, treat and cure disease. They are our most common medical intervention and are relied upon to support health and wellbeing throughout life.
“However, with medicine costs increasing annually, we need to take action to protect access to medicines for the future. This strategy sets out what we intend to do to help ensure the sustainable use of medicines and embed a culture of valuing medicines within the HSC and the wider population.
Cathy Harrison and Mike Nesbitt
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the public consultation. These responses were invaluable in shaping the strategy we have launched today.”
The new strategy seeks to embed sustainable medicines practice into all HSC settings, promoting a culture that allows equitable
access to appropriate, safe and cost-effective medicines; involves patients in decisions about their medicines, promotes preventive care and improves access to non-medical therapies; reduces waste and the environmental impact of medicines and drives improvement through data, technology, research and innovation.
NI PHARMACY REGULATOR CELEBRATES CENTENARY WITH WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY VISIT TO CRAIGAVON
Representatives from the Pharmaceutical Society of NI (PSNI), Northern Ireland’s regulator of pharmacists and pharmacies, visited pharmacy teams in the Craigavon area to mark World Pharmacists Day as part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations.
Founded in 1925, PSNI has been marking its centenary with a series of events highlighting the sector’s vital contribution to public health in Northern Ireland.
During the visit, the delegation attended a Council meeting at Craigavon Area Hospital, where Southern HSC Trust Interim Chief Executive, Steve Spoerry, delivered the keynote address. They also toured the hospital’s pharmacy department, including its aseptic unit and state- of-the-art dispensing robot, before visiting Clear Pharmacy in Lurgan.
Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the Southern HSC Trust, Ann McCorry
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welcomed PSNI President Dr Geraldine O’Hare, Vice-President Mark McCrudden and Chief Executive, Canice Ward, along with Community Pharmacy NI Chief Executive, Gerard Greene.
Throughout the day, the visitors heard from a broad cross-section of the pharmacy workforce about the increasing contribution that pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other team members are making to all aspects of the health service in Northern Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of the Southern HSC Trust, Ann McCorry said, “Today on World Pharmacists Day we are proud to shine a light on our incredible pharmacy team in the Southern Trust.”
She added, “Pharmacists are the most accessible members of our healthcare systems and work to ensure safe and effective use of medicines and manage medication-related problems. Pharmacists are also involved in the
delivery of vaccinations and preventive care across NI, and work to promote appropriate medication use to deliver safe, cost-effective care.”
PSNI Chief Executive, Canice Ward said, “World Pharmacists Day is an opportunity to bring public attention to the central role pharmacists play in healthcare. As we celebrate our centenary, we have been honoured to be able to visit pharmacy teams across a range of practice settings. To everyone working so hard in pharmacy teams here, we would like to offer our appreciation and respect. Thank you for your amazing work.”
Reflecting on the visit, PSNI President Dr O'Hare said, “During our centenary celebrations we have been privileged to witness the work carried out by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other team members in the treatment of patients across all areas of practice. These pharmacy teams deserve huge recognition for the vital role they play in patient journeys.”
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