Pharmacy

Our pharmacy department buys, stores and supplies all medicines and drugs used within the hospital and provides information on them. Our pharmacists also advise on the safe and effective use of these medicines and drugs for patients.  

The main services that our pharmacy department provides:

 

• Dispensary
  We ensure that medicines are bought, stored and supplied promptly, safely and cost effectively. Our dispensary service also makes certain products, for example creams and mouthwashes when they aren’t available commercially.

• Clinical pharmacy 
  Pharmacists work on wards in the hospital to monitor drug treatments that patients receive. Clinical pharmacists provide key information on drugs to the medical, nursing and other staff, as well as to patients.

• Aseptic compounding
  We prepare sterile products in a specially controlled and monitored environment. This service plays an important role in the delivery of cancer chemotherapy.  We are also involved in cancer clinical trials.

• Medicines information 
  We promote the safe, effective and economical use of medicines by providing up-to-date and accurate information and advice to healthcare professionals within the hospital. The service provides information on drug dosage and administration, adverse effects and drug interactions.

• Infectious diseases service 
  We deliver clinical pharmacy services for patients with HIV and hepatitis C. We work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Our work involves educating and advising patients and healthcare professionals about new and existing therapies, drug interactions, management of drug toxicities and issues. We are also involved in infectious diseases clinical trials.

• Antimicrobial service
  We promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, throughout the hospital and work to ensure that they are prescribed safely and cost-effectively.

• Heart lung transplant and pulmonary hypertension service 
  Transplant patients are often on complex medication regimes and we work to promote safe, rational and economical prescribing. This helps patient's quality of life before and after their transplant surgery. 

• Drug safety service
  Medication management and patient safety are very important to us. A drug safety facilitator, along with the drug safety committee, works to promote safe medication practices in our hospital. Our staff voluntarily report medication incidents, which allows us to detect and correct any errors in the medication-use system.

Helpful information on pharmacy services and medication for patients

As a patient, you will generally need to take medications while you are in hospital to assist with your treatment. You may also need to continue taking medications when you go home from hospital. The below document will provide useful information regarding your medications before, during and after your hospital stay.

Useful Links

• The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
• The Irish Medication Safety Network