A new national training programme developed by the Irish Institute of Pharmacy and RCSI’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences has equipped more than 3,000 community pharmacists to deliver Ireland’s new Common Conditions Service.

The RCSI designed online course, created in partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the Department of Health, provides the mandatory training required for pharmacists to assess and treat patients for eight common conditions, including the prescribing of certain prescription only medicines for the first time.

Developed in response to recommendations of the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy, the training ensures that pharmacists nationwide are equipped to provide safe, standardised clinical care as the service goes live. 94% of community pharmacies have already registered to provide the Common Conditions Service.

The RCSI-led programme includes a regulatory module and eight condition specific modules, built by a multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, doctors, educators and learning technologists.

Designed using adult learning theory, the course incorporates case-based learning, interactive clinical scenarios, decision-making exercises and reflective practice. Patient and public involvement and universal design for learning principles were integrated throughout to ensure accessibility and patient-centredness.

Delivered on-demand through the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) platform, the course supports completion by practising pharmacists without disrupting routine services.

Professor Helena Kelly, Head of the RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, said: “This national training programme is a significant milestone for pharmacy practice in Ireland. RCSI is proud to have worked with the IIOP and PSI to develop the educational foundation that enables pharmacists to deliver the Common Conditions Service safely, consistently and confidently. By preparing more than 4,000 pharmacists to take on this expanded clinical role, the training supports better patient access to care in line with Sláintecare’s ambition for responsive, community based services.”

Catriona Bradley, Executive Director of the Irish Institute of Pharmacy, said: “Ensuring pharmacists have access to high quality, evidence based education is central to supporting the safe and effective rollout of the Common Conditions Service. The strong engagement from pharmacists across the country reflects their commitment to expanding their clinical role and improving access to care for patients.”

The Common Conditions Service allows community pharmacists to provide clinical consultations and treatment for:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Cold sores
• Conjunctivitis
• Impetigo
• Oral thrush
• Shingles
• Uncomplicated UTIs
• Vulvovaginal thrush

Pharmacists assess patients, screen for referral criteria and, when appropriate and in line with HSE clinical protocols, offer advice or supply medicine, including certain prescription only treatments.

RCSI has now begun evaluating both the training programme and the national rollout of the Common Conditions Service to inform future developments in pharmacist prescribing and community-based care.