Irish prescribers’ views on hospital pharmacist prescribing

29^th EAHP Congress highlights

Prescribing by hospital pharmacists is now well-established in a number of countries and there is evidence that stakeholders take a positive view of this development on hospital workflows and patient safety. A national expert taskforce in Ireland has recommended that hospital pharmacist prescribing (HPP) be initiated in Ireland in 2027. In preparation for this, the views of existing Irish prescribers (doctors, nurses, and midwives) need to be understood. Marie Richardson (University College Cork and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ireland) undertook a survey of doctors, nurses and midwives working in Irish hospitals to investigate their perspectives about HPP and its potential impact on healthcare delivery.

In total, 238 Irish prescribers responded to an anonymous online survey. The findings revealed overall support for HPP among the surveyed groups, who anticipated benefits such as reduced prescribing errors and improved workflows. However, the study also indicated varied levels of support for pharmacists prescribing independently in different clinical scenarios. For example, about 20% of respondents felt that a prescribing pharmacist should not prescribe a new medicine at all. Overall, the findings suggested a positive reception towards HPP among Irish prescribers, with an expectation of enhanced patient safety and efficiency.

References

1. Expert Taskforce. Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy Final Report [Internet]. Dept of Health; 2024. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f3b42-expert-taskforce-to-support-the-expansion-of-the-role-of-pharmacy-final-report/
2. Richardson M, Dalton K, Spooner M, Murphy K. Doctors’, Nurses’, and Midwives’ views of Hospital Pharmacist Prescribing: a Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Poster) EAHP Congress 2025