The Common Conditions Service marks a “pivotal moment for primary care in Ireland”, the pharmacy chain said
Boots (stock image)(Image: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Boots has announced a new initiative empowering pharmacists to prescribe prescription-only medication for the first time.
The Common Conditions Service marks a “pivotal moment for primary care in Ireland”, the pharmacy chain said. The required legal changes have been made for expanding the clinical role of community pharmacists and enhancing patient access to timely, professional healthcare.
Historically, pharmacists have offered advice and over-the-counter solutions; now, under established clinical protocols, they will, in addition, be able to prescribe, where appropriate, and supply certain prescription-only medicines directly.
The initial eight common conditions covered by the service include:
Allergic Rhinitis: an inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergy. It causes cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, an itchy nose or a blocked or runny nose.Cold Sores: tiny fluid-filled blisters on the face which are very common and highly infectious. They usually start with a tingling, itching or burning feeling around your mouth and lips.Conjunctivitis: an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. Symptoms include bloodshot, itchy, gritty or sore, swollen eye(s).Impetigo: a skin infection that’s very contagious. It starts with red sores or blisters that can start anywhere, but usually on the face and hands.Oral Thrush (mouth thrush): a fungal infection caused by a yeast called candida. Signs of oral thrush include white patches or spots in the mouth that cannot be rubbed off.Shingles: an infection that causes a painful rash, caused by the chickenpox virus. The first signs of shingles include a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin. A rash usually appears a few days after first signs, as red blotches on the skin, usually on one side of the body only.Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): an infection of the bladder in women. Symptoms include needing to pass urine suddenly or more often than usual, pain or a burning sensation when passing urine, smelly or cloudy urine, abdominal tenderness or blood in urine.Vulvovaginal Thrush: a common yeast infection in women. Symptoms include white vaginal discharge (often like cottage cheese), itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina, soreness and stinging when passing urine.
“We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of this transformative healthcare initiative in Ireland,” said Caoimhe McAuley, Director of Pharmacy & Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots. “The Common Conditions Service underscores Boots’ unwavering commitment to expanding patient care within the community. By enabling our highly trained pharmacists to diagnose and prescribe for these common ailments, we are improving access to primary care for everyone and significantly reducing pressure on GP services.”
Patients can access the Common Conditions Service by booking an appointment through boots.ie/common-conditions, where they will complete a brief pre-consultation form and select a convenient time and pharmacy.
Additionally, patients can walk into a Boots pharmacy and speak to a pharmacist or be referred by a Healthcare Assistant for a consultation. The Consultation is priced at €35, and while the consultation itself is not covered by government schemes, any prescribed and dispensed medicines may be eligible for reimbursement under existing schemes.
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