MLA in praise for community pharmacies

MLA in praise for community pharmacies

18 September 2024

THE key role played by community pharmacists across the district has been highlighted by South Down MLA Andy McMurray.

He met recently with pharmacist Tim Corrie who is based in Clough and other representatives from Community Pharmacy NI to learn about the valuable work community pharmacists are doing and the increasing pressures facing the sector. 

Community Pharmacy NI represents community pharmacists across Northern Ireland with Mr McMurray delighted to meet with a number of the organisation’s members recently.

He said community pharmacists very often know the patients and their requirements extremely well.

“This is down in no small part to the continuity of engagement that comes with repeat preions,” the MLA continued.

“Pharmacists are very often the first port of call when it comes to ailments and, after a consultation with a GP has taken place, are often able to give further advice as to how explaining the practicalities of the medicines prescribed.”

Mr McMurray said due to the rural nature of the local area and wider constituency, community pharmacies provide an easy access point to which avail of services which can in turn ease the pressures on the surgeries. 

He continued: “More and more pharmacists can now prescribe for a number of ailments and many health programmes are run from community pharmacies. That said, pharmacies face their own pressures in providing the services that they do.”

Mr McMurray said going forward, he plans further meetings and engagement with pharmacists across the constituency to ensure he can give his support to their work, which in turn helps relieve stress on the health system across the sector.