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Pharmacists’ Contribution to Community Recognised Through Awards 
Over 60% of all Pharmacies Expected to Enter
28th September 2008, the 4th annual Irish Pharmacist Awards were launched today by organiser Helix Health, who is calling on the 1,600 community and 100 hospital pharmacies in Ireland to enter this year’s awards. Winners will showcase the substantial contribution to the community and the healthcare profession pharmacists make. Helix Health expects to increase the number of entrants on last year to over 60% of all pharmacies across both clinical and community settings.
The Helix Health Irish Pharmacist Awards are open to all pharmacists and presented to those who have had significant positive involvement in the pharmaceutical profession in research, science or practice fields. The Awards were set up to support the Benevolent Trust Fund of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and hope to raise €40,000 this year.
“Pharmacists are no longer solely considered as medication dispensers,” said Howard Beggs, Chief Executive of Helix Health. “These awards recognise the important contribution pharmacists make to patients’ well being and to the overall community spirit. The public visit their local pharmacist to get advice, to benefit from first-rate patient care and to engage with a professional with whom they have a relationship.
“The excellence in pharmaceutical care that the Awards commend leads to superior outcomes for patients and is key to meeting the challenging demands of a changing pharmaceutical environment,” Beggs concluded.
There are eight award categories (see: Note To Editors) including the top accolades of ‘Pharmacist of the Year’ and the ‘Patient Nominated Award’. Nominations can be made by entering online at www.pharmacistawards.com. The closing date for entries is 12th December and the Award Ceremony will take place on 9th May, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin.
Sponsors include:
ENDS.
For more information contact:
Rachel Morrogh Insight Consultants: 01 293 9977/086853 0005
Miriam Ryan Insight Consultants Insight Consultants: 01 293 9977 / 086 353 1679
Note to Editors:
Award Categories
Patient Nominated Award
To be nominated by patients and members of the public. They will be asked to specifically detail why the professional conduct of this pharmacist was remarkable and noteworthy.
Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy
To be awarded to a hospital-based pharmacist who has devised a new approach that enables pharmacy to be delivered in a manner more beneficial to the public.
Practice-Based Research Awards
This award is offered to identify, recognise and promote evidence-based strategies for optimising the delivery of pharmacy services. The Practice-Based Research Award entries should demonstrate how research has had a measurable impact in terms of improving patient care.
Professional Excellence Awards
This award is open to all pharmacists working in areas other than community or hospital pharmacy. This includes pharmacists working in industry, regulatory bodies the HSE, administration and other roles.
Young Pharmacist of the Year Award
To be awarded to a pharmacist under the age of 30 years whose activities in the course of his/her professional duties and development is judged to be the most commendable.
Lifetime Achievement
To be awarded to the pharmacist whose efforts on behalf of the profession in Ireland over the last 20 years are judged to have been the most remarkable. Nominations are sought from colleagues and peers.
Overall Pharmacist of the Year
To be selected from one of the above winners.
About the Benevolent Trust Fund of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
The Benevolent Fund supports those who have been associated with pharmacy and who are now in need of assistance. The funds are put to a wide variety of uses to improve the basic quality of life of those in need. Lack of provision for the inevitable event of retirement, or the unexpected events of being unable to work due to serious illness or premature death of a working spouse, are the primary reasons people need assistance from the Benevolent Fund. While the typical beneficiary may be an elderly widow of a pharmacist living alone, there are many other kinds of people who require help. Some may find it difficult to believe in the current pharmacy environment, but there are many in the profession, or associated with it, which are affected by poor health or have fallen on hard times. They need our assistance. It is important to remember that the Benevolent Fund considers cases not alone from Pharmacists and their families, but also those from the Healthcare Industry.
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