by Edel O'Sullivan, | Jun 6, 2023 | News Release, Press
We are delighted to announce a transformative partnership with The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA).
Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership aligns with both the CPA and MOIC‘s strategic objectives. Our shared vision is to amplify our impact in the field of medicines optimisation, clinical pharmacy, and pharmaceutical care, facilitating knowledge transfer and exchange, and driving forward initiatives in training and development.
Victoria Rutter, Chief Executive Officer of the CPA, stated, “This exciting partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to empowering pharmacists in the Commonwealth and our dedication to enhancing health systems through supporting the safer and more effective use of medicines. This collaboration leverages the strengths of both organisations and creates opportunities for future shared learning and innovative approaches to optimising pharmacist-led use of medicines, particularly in lower resource settings.”
Speaking about the collaboration, MOIC Director, Prof Michael Scott MBE said: “The Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) is delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding. Through this MOU we are looking forward to working together to develop clinical pharmacy services and medicines optimization including antimicrobial stewardship with a number of countries within the Commonwealth. This demonstrates our commitment to build partnerships and collaborations globally and also bring learning back to Northern Ireland.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Jun 1, 2023 | News Release, Press
Professor Mike Scott is a co-author on a recently published paper on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic consumption and prevalence of pathogens in primary and secondary healthcare settings in Northern Ireland. The paper is published in full on the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – Wiley Online Library.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the patterns of antimicrobial use and the incidence of pathogens in primary and secondary healthcare settings in Northern Ireland.
Data was collected on antibiotic use and Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens from primary and secondary healthcare settings in Northern Ireland for the period before (January 2015-March 2020) and during (April 2020-December 2021) the pandemic.
This study provides details of both changes in antibiotic consumption and the prevalence of infections in hospitals and primary care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic that emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in pandemic situations.
To read the paper in full click here.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | May 25, 2023 | News Release, Press
Joanne Brown iSIMPATHY pharmacist recently travelled to Antwerp to display a poster on the iSIMPATHY project and how it had improved patient outcomes in Northern Ireland.
The iSIMPATHY project, funded by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, worked with professionals in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to comprehensively review patient medication. Taking multiple medicines can be problematic if the increased risk of harm from interactions between drugs, or between drugs and diseases, outweighs the intended benefits.
The 23rd International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC23) overarching theme was ‘Care in action: how to work together, a participatory approach’. The conference brought together leaders, researchers, clinicians, managers, citizens, patients and caregivers from around the world who are engaged in the design and delivery of integrated health and social care. It was a fantastic opportunity to display the work and showcase Northern Ireland pharmacy.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | May 17, 2023 | News Release, Press
This week Professor Mike Scott and Anita Hogg travelled to Copenhagen to the IHI forum.
The IHI/BMJ International Forum shares knowledge, ideas, and expertise that inform quality improvement, patient safety projects, and practice transformations worldwide. It brings together healthcare improvers (including patients) from different parts of the world to discuss and share examples of innovation that can be replicated.
MOIC presented on medicines safety in Northern Ireland as part of a jam packed programme on Day 2.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | May 11, 2023 | News Release, Press, Uncategorized
MOIC have always focused on building collaborations throughout Europe and we have put Northern Ireland firmly on the map as a centre of excellence for pharmacy.
Over the last 20 years we have developed a world class hospital pharmacy service and our focus on medicine management has been replicated throughout the world. Due to this success we are delighted that Professor Mike Scott will present virtually today to a group of hospital pharmacies in South East Norway on the development of medicines management and medicines optimisation in Northern Ireland. Professor Scott will also discuss our work on the Isimpathy project and showcase how this pharmacy project has improved care for patients prescribed with multiple medicines.
The discussion in Norway follows on from a visit by a group of pharmacists from Norway in 2019 to MOIC, when they were impressed by the work of MOIC and the pharmacy practices in Northern Ireland.
