INNOVATION IN
COMMUNITY PHARMACY PRACTICE
STEPHANIE HAUGHEY
McCartan’s Pharmacy, Newry
In March 2020, Stephanie Haughey from McCartan’s Pharmacy in Newry was two weeks into her health literacy project with fifteen pregnant ladies when the world was rocked by COVID-19. While everything else was closing down, pharmacists like Stephanie were forced to find a different way of working to ensure that she continued to provide outstanding care for her patients. Stephanie immediately moved her sessions to Zoom so that she could continue to reassure her patients and continue to educate them.
EOGHAN O’BRIEN
Bannside Pharmacy, Portglenone
In July 2020, Eoghan installed a Pharmaself24 (PS24) automated prescription collection robot, which enables patients to pick up their prescription medicines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once a prescription is loaded, an SMS text message is automatically sent to the patient with a unique six-digit pin that they can use for up to three days. This system assists with social distancing and also enables customers to pick up pre-paid OTC items. It also frees up valuable time to engage patients in services and OTC consultations.
RICHARD GARVEY
Meigh Pharmacy, Meigh
Richard introduced technology to the pharmacy in order to enable his team to improve the patient experience. A dispensing robot was introduced and a PillPacPlus sachet robot manages the growing instalment dispensing business.
The pharmacy also developed a website that allows customers and patients to purchase items, order prescriptions and book a wide range of private services. Due to the challenges posed by COVID-19, the pharmacy wanted to rise to the challenge and maintain/improve its customer service. Technology has enabled them to do this.
