About ICCPE


ICCPE Mission
To provide and promote quality lifelong education for pharmacists by updating knowledge and skills to improve integrated professional practice and pharmaceutical care of the community

History of ICCPE
The Irish Centre for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education (ICCPE) was established in 1998 following agreement on a new pharmacy contract, between the Department of Health and Children and the Irish Pharmacy Union, to support delivery of high quality community pharmacy services to the public. Clause 9 of this contract, stipulating that pharmacists must ensure that medicines are appropriately indicated, effective, safe and acceptable to patients provided the catalyst for the foundation of the ICCPE. It was agreed that "A programme of continuing education for pharmacists (and pharmaceutical assistants) engaged in the delivery of community pharmacy services under the Health Act (1970) will be initiated".


ICCPE Vision
That all community pharmacists in Ireland will participate in lifelong learning and professional development

Since its establishment in 1998, the Centre has provided learning opportunities, in open, live and electronic formats, to community pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants throughout Ireland. Live training is provided by the ICCPE tutor network and commissioned speakers considered experts in their field at venues throughout Ireland on a seasonal basis. Open and electronic learning enables pharmacists to learn at home and at their own pace from a range of educational materials chosen to support improved practice. Quality of the various learning formats provided by ICCPE is monitored by an ongoing assurance audit. In 2002, ICCPE published a three-year strategy supporting the Centre's vision.


ICCPE Strategy 2002 - 2005
To support the development and implementation of pharmaceutical care

To provide lifelong educational opportunities for the pharmacist

To achieve equity and accessibility of service delivery

To encourage and maximise participation in continuing education

To improve integrated professional practice


In 2003, the ICCPE introduced 26 new live training initiatives at over 50 percent more venues with no increase in financial resources, bringing much needed education and training even closer to pharmacies in Ireland. In 2004, the range and choice of learning expanded further, again, with the Centre offering greater support of continuous professional development needs of individual practitioners. Courses include: Therapeutics, Medicines Management, Health Promotion, Risk Management, Professional Issues, Service Development, Communication Skills and Management Skills. In addition, a selected number of courses are now open to allied healthcare professionals in primary care in keeping with joint educational recommendations, outlined in Quality and Fairness, a Health System for You. Ultimately, ICCPE equips pharmacists with the skills to become better practitioners focused on maximising therapeutic outcomes from medicines, minimising risk and promoting health through education and preventative strategies.

Commitment to quality pharmacy practice through education and lifelong learning is the duty of every pharmacist and the right of every person availing of community pharmacy services. Learning is the best medicine.

The Centre's staff complement consists of a Director and two administrative staff. The strategic direction of the Centre is provided by the Management Committee which is comprised of 12 persons nominated by the four key stake holders.