Tendering Dissolved

The effectiveness of en masse withdrawal. An untrusting customer’s run on the bank? A vociferous workers’ union strike? A globally observed ethical boycott? None of the aforementioned attract welcome publicity, but what if your controversial initiative faces virtually unanimous opposition scarcely moments after its unveiling...

Feeling The Pressure

With high blood pressure thought to affect as many as one in five people in Northern Ireland, thousands of people throughout the country could be suffering from the condition without realising it. Gordons Chemists have made blood pressure testing a priority for their health promotion strategy, introducing free testing events at ...

Ask Your Pharmacist

But that motto isn’t just for patients. If requests to contribute to community initiatives in health promotion are anything to go by, pharmacy is certainly at the top of most organisations’ lists for those to consult. This month NIPinF has heard about such projects drawing on the expertise of pharmacists from across Northern...

News in Brief

Minister Backs Awards

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has pledged his support for 2008’s Integrated Health Award, an accolade run by the Foundation for Integrated Health, championing an integrated approach to health. “I welcome my Department’s continuing support and sponsorship of the Northern Ireland category of the Integrated Health Award,” he commented. Closing date for applications is 29 August.

Don’t Start, Kids

NICE has issued guidance for healthcare professionals focusing on the mass-media and point of sale measures to prevent uptake of smoking by children and young people under 18. Particularly recommended for pharmacists who can appropriately employ mass-media intervention, the guidance is designed to highlight the dangers of smoking and related illnesses.

GSK Opt For DTP

From 1 November 2008, GSK will supply prescription medicines via AAH Pharmaceuticals and Unichem. The NPA have vowed to “drill into the specifics” of the arrangements according to NPA chief executive John Turk.

‘Grave Concern’ for MAS

The NPA Board has spoken out against the DHSSPS’ plans to cap MAS. NPA chairman Paul Bennett said; “The PCC and UCA have called upon the NPA to support the resolution already carried by their members. The unanimous response of this Board is to recommend that all NPA members withdraw from the scheme in Northern Ireland with immediate effect.”

Alzheimer’s Breakthrough

A recent study has revealed that methylthionium chloride (Rember) can be key in reducing brain deterioration in Alzheimer’s patients. Trials have indicated an 81 per cent difference in the rate of mental decline compared to those without treatment.

Technical Advances

Written by Laure James - Editor Pharmacy in Focus

Monday, 04 August 2008 11:38

McLernon Computers, a family firm which has been trading in Northern Ireland for over 75 years, have secured new business from four of Ireland’s top pharmacy chains in the first half of 2008. This means they have the largest market share of any pharmacy software provider throughout the island of Ireland.

Pharmacies throughout Ireland have been placing the security and responsibility of their software in the hands of a family-run business from Northern Ireland, known better as McLernons Computers. Four major multiples throughout the island have recently made the switch to McLernons with Sam McCauley Chemists and Boots buying into the company’s MPS system while the WeCare and McSweeney groups have extended their commitment to McLernons by installing some brand new EPOS software.

The deals, which are collectively worth more than €1.8m over the next five years, have marked a strong period of consistent growth for the firm which launched its version of MPS five years ago.

Robin Hanna, sales director at McLernon Computers commented; “These are challenging times for pharmacists, with the HSE cutbacks biting deep in the Republic of Ireland. Pharmacists are being increasingly challenged to maintain high standards of care for their patients while coping with a decrease of over 8 per cent in their revenue from the HSE.

“Our software helps our customer base, the largest throughout Ireland, deliver high quality healthcare to their communities, and our business management tools help to give them the support they need to remain profitable.”

As a testament to the IT experts’ reliability, Will Power, IT manager at Sam McCauleys, spoke of how successful making the transition to McLernons was. “The installation of the software went incredibly smoothly – we rolled out 23 stores in just two months and in my experience I think there is very little software that could stand up to that kind of roll out unless it was very well tested and proven to work.