Though women’s health has received much-needed funding, more investment is needed and pharmacists can play a crucial role, writes The People’s Pharmacist of the year, Chanel Geoghegan
Significant advancements have been made in women’s health in Ireland. Recently, the government launched the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health. This Action Plan aims to build on the development of women’s health services over the last two years as well as the delivery of new services. It is supported by investment of more than ¤11 million, bringing total additional funding for women’s health to over ¤140 million since 2020.
The investment is much needed in this underfunded, marginalised sector of the healthcare system. Menopause, endometriosis and osteoporosis are key areas of focus for the taskforce, with some of the schemes being more successful than others. Pharmacists are the most trusted healthcare professionals and will be vital in any rollout and implementation of the taskforce’s recommendations.
The government funding will be used to expand and develop priority initiatives as identified by the Women’s Health Taskforce.
Key areas that affect community pharmacies include:
• Free contraception to women aged between 17 to 35 years, empowering all young women to have access to various options of contraception regardless of their income.
• Endometriosis: Development of two supra- regional complex endometriosis services, which are essential as it is estimated that 155,000 women are affected by endometriosis in Ireland; however, on average, it takes nine years to receive a diagnosis
• Menopause: The government are increasing capacity of Specialist Menopause Clinics, and the roll-out of additional “See-and-Treat” Gynaecology Clinics. While most pharmacists welcome the reduced cost of HRT treatment for women, the administrative burden of trying to source many of the current products on the market can be overwhelming. A priority should be to ensure a stable supply for the women of Ireland.
The task force also recommended initiatives targeted at women at midlife or older, to improve bone health and cardiovascular health. Loss of bone density in women, especially after the menopause, can lead to conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. This increases the risk of fractures and other complications. Health Service Executive figures show that almost 4,000 people were hospitalised for osteoporosisrelated hip fractures in Ireland in 2019, of which 69% were women.
As pharmacists, we are one of the most trusted healthcare providers, so we are ideally placed to recommend proactive measures such as regular screenings, and lifestyle adjustments that can help strengthen the bones and reduce the risk of debilitating injuries. The use of bone boosting supplements can be encouraged, 1000iu of vit D daily helps to absorb the calcium in your diet and store it in your bones, it also helps to support muscles that surround bones to prevent falls. 1200mg of calcium daily is recommended for women over the age of 50. Weightbearing exercises like walking or resistance training are vital for protecting against osteoporosis and safeguarding bone density. These exercises enhance balance, posture, and agility, thereby decreasing the chances of falls and related injuries. Weight management counselling especially when there is unintentional weight loss is crucial. Weakened muscles heighten the risk of falls and with compromised bone strength, fractures become more likely. Cigarette smoking can weaken bone density and heighten osteoporosis risks. Patients should be encouraged to use nicotine replacement therapy to reduce or stop smoking.
Community pharmacists are the most frequently accessed and most accessible primary healthcare providers with over 78,000,000 visitors per year. Our advice and recommendations can therefore play a vital role in the healthcare of women.
Over the last 10 years in community pharmacy, women have become far more knowledgeable about the various products available on the market. They are seeking nutrition tailored to their specific dietary needs, including gender specific formulations, and are increasingly turning to supplements for targeted benefits like mood support, energy and skin health. Probiotic sales are increasing each year as the importance of gut health is recognised. Women are purchasing specific probiotics for vaginal health, hoping to reduce instances of thrush and recurrent UTI’s. Older women are prioritizing joint health and natural remedies for sleepless nights and leg cramps. Younger women are more focused on their mental health and are far more aware of how their hormones can affect their mood. They will have already done their research before approaching the pharmacy counter for advice. Women overall are becoming more informed and proactive in managing their health, seeking out information and solutions that empower them to make informed decisions.
While the new investment in women’s health in Ireland is welcome, many conditions remain poorly understood and lack tailored prevention, diagnosis and management strategies. Endometriosis effects an estimated 155,000 of women in Ireland, heart disease and stroke account for a quarter of all female deaths in Ireland. Menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Early intervention from healthcare professionals can greatly improve the quality of a patient’s life. Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare provider, with increased government support and investment, we can expand our services to include more health screenings and to play an important role in chronic disease management. Our expertise and knowledge are highly valued by the public ensuring we will play a significant role in the promotion of women’s health in the future.
Written by Chanel Geoghegan, Superintendent Pharmacist, Hickeys Pharmacy, Clones, Co. Monaghan
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