The Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator, has today launched new structures of education and training for pharmacists in Ireland which will oversee their continuing professional development (CPD) as well as implement a new best-practice pharmacist education system. The PSI also announced that it had won a major international pharmaceutical congress for Ireland to take place in 2013.

The Taoiseach said the development was a welcome move towards bringing Irish pharmacy education and training in line with international best practice. "I strongly welcome the new pharmacy model which will help to position Ireland at the forefront internationally of pharmacy innovation and education. I also applaud the successful efforts of the PSI and its partners in the pharmacy sector in bringing a prestigious event like the international pharmaceutical congress to Ireland in 2013, something that will be a notable boost to the national economy next year."

The PSI President, Paul Fahey said the framework was the next stage in the PSI Council's programme of reform in pharmacy education and training. "The Irish Institute of Pharmacy will be an essential platform for the future development of the profession. It will ensure that developments and expansions in pharmacy practice and services in Ireland are underpinned by appropriate CPD, training and the international evidence base. It will support the evolving requirements of the Irish health service and will ensure patient needs drive practice development."

Mr Fahey continued: "Additionally, the National Forum for Pharmacy Education and Accreditation has a specific mandate but one with very far-reaching potential for health care in this country and for the delivery of healthcare education. It provides an opportunity to engage with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that in the future the pharmacy profession can meet the needs of patients, industry, communities and pharmacists themselves."

The role of the new Irish Institute of Pharmacy will be to oversee the management and delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists in Ireland, which is now mandatory under The Pharmacy Act 2007, and put in place a quality assurance system around CPD. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has been awarded a four year contract to establish and operate the new Irish Institute of Pharmacy on behalf of the PSI.

The National Forum for Pharmacy Education and Accreditation aims to deliver a five year integrated Masters degree across the three schools of pharmacy in Ireland, producing more clinically focused pharmacists who will be positioned to play a critical role in the delivery of future integrated health care services in Ireland, as well as enhancing their career opportunities in all areas of practice including the pharmaceutical industry.

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) congress will be held at the Convention Centre Dublin in 2013 and is set to bring 3,000 delegates to Dublin and is likely to be worth as much as €10 million in revenue to Ireland.

Also speaking at the event in Dublin Castle were Chair of the new National Forum, Marian Shanley, President of the RCSI, Professor Eilis McGovern, PSI Registrar, Dr Ambrose McLoughlin with the Minister for Primary Care, Róisín Shortall TD also in attendance. FIP Secretary-General and CEO, Ton Hoek was also at the event.