February 25, 2005.

Press Release issued by ICCPE to The Fingal Independent

A Swords pharmacist has received a national award for her efforts in continuing education. Frances Foley from Foley's Pharmacy in Applewood Village, Swords, is the inaugural national recipient of a "Learning, The Best Medicine" award. The award is presented by the Irish Centre for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education (ICCPE) to the pharmacist who has completed the highest number of continuing education hours in the country in one year. Frances completed a total of 84.5 learning hours in 2004. This is alongside her work as a community pharmacist in Swords and her studies for an MSc. in Community Pharmacy at Trinity College!

Frances is, naturally, delighted with the award and says that her participation in ICCPE training is as valuable for her patients as it is for herself. "It's important for me to keep myself informed," says Frances, "but it's also imperative for my patients that I keep educating myself so that I can pass on the benefits to them in the way I bring the things I've learned back to my own practice."

"The award is like the icing on the cake," she says. "I'm glad I attended the courses anyway because I've done something to help myself. I didn't go to achieve the award but it's very nice to have the time I've given over to continuing education acknowledged in this way."

ICCPE co-ordinates continuing education and training for community pharmacists and qualified assistants all over Ireland. It provides a programme of live lectures and a range of open and learning packages, all of which help to improve the running of community pharmacists throughout the land.

ICCPE Director, Orla Sheehan, says that Frances's involvement in continuing education has been exemplary. "I would like to congratulate Frances on this excellent achievement," says Ms. Sheehan. "Her dedication to education is something that should be recognised as hugely beneficial for her patients and for the community of Swords as a whole."

"Learning and good pharmacy practice go hand in hand," she says.