Niamh Colleran has been awarded the title of The People’s Pharmacist for 2023 following a nationwide voting campaign that saw over

12,000 votes and a reach of over 150,000

In association with Panadol, Irish Pharmacy News launched the search to find The People’s Pharmacist 2023 earlier this year; giving the Irish public the opportunity to nominate and vote for, their local pharmacist who has gone above and beyond.

The People’s Pharmacist Award seeks nominations from across the country, giving patients the opportunity to recognise and salute their local pharmacist.

Through this Award, we are enabling the public to have a voice in recognising the unwavering support and spirit that makes pharmacists the backbone of our health service in every community across Ireland.

From over 450 nominations we had eight extremely deserving finalists and after a nationwide voting campaign, Niamh Colleran of Colleran’s Life Pharmacy, was awarded this prestigious title.

Niamh was presented with her award by Dave Barrett, County Manager with Haleon, Cathaoirleach Gerry Murray and Managing Director of IPN Communications, Natalie Maginnis.

Now more than ever before, it has become clear to everyone that pharmacists are one of the most critical members of Ireland’s health service family, embedded in the heart of every community.

As the scope and prominence of this Award have increased with each passing year, it has added even more value to the profession of pharmacy; through the strong and positive messages, not to mention, recognition given to the vital and impressive work being done by all the nominees, in their communities.

Colleran’s Life Pharmacy is based in Charlestown, Co Mayo with pharmacist Niamh at the helm.

The pharmacy serves a wide catchment area of customers and patients but the enhanced services they provide, and care in always wanting to provide the highest

standards of service, have really touched the life of one customer as they have engaged in their own health battle.

This nominee told Irish Pharmacy News, “We have been served by this wonderful pharmacy since moving to the area. They have always gone above and beyond their duties but in the last few months while I’ve been receiving chemotherapy they have been remarkable.

“I can’t say enough about how supportive, friendly, and professional they are. Niamh and her pharmacy team have really helped to make an unpleasant and difficult situation so much easier to get through.

“Our daughter fought cancer for 5 years sadly passing after Christmas. She and my son had the same care and support. They will drop prescriptions to the house when needed, offer advice, call the hospital pharmacy regarding prescriptions on my behalf and so much more; Nothing is too much trouble.

“This extends right down to the entire team, the experts at makeup advice who have spent considerable time with me testing pencils, powders and so on to replace the now, non-existent eyebrows, thanks to my complete hair loss from chemotherapy.

Niamh truly deserves this honour.”

Pharmacy Background

Colleran’s Pharmacy was established by Niamh’s grandfather, Luke Colleran in 1931, with his son – Niamh’s father joining him in 1974. Having grown up with such an extensive background in the pharmacy world, Niamh went on to study the profession at the School of Pharmacy in London, graduating in 1997.

She tells us, “Having worked for a short time in Chelmsford Hospital, returned to Ireland in 1999 to work in Beaumont Hospital. While there I completed a Masters in Hospital Pharmacy at Trinity College and having worked for a short time in Bourke’s Pharmacy, Rathmines, I returned to Hospital Pharmacy as Chief Pharmacist in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

“It was in 2010 that I moved west to work with my father Paddy.

“Having been established for a very long time, Colleran’s Pharmacy has created a great loyalty from generations of families in a very wide hinterland.”

On hearing of her nomination, Niamh added, “I was extremely honoured to have been nominated for this award and consider it a privilege to be able to continue to serve the people of Charlestown and surrounding districts.

“We always try to give 100% to our customers and hope they feel they are always our priority.

“We are very lucky to have a loyal, dedicated staff, some of whom have been with us for over 30 years, and am very proud of them. know this achievement of winning Pharmacist of the Year is also a recognition of the hard work of the entire team at Colleran’s Life Pharmacy.” Pharmacy teams play a pivotal role as a community and health asset across Ireland. High quality public health and clinical

interventions drive delivery that is focused on prevention, health improvement and protection of local communities.

There have been many challenges for the profession over the last number of years, but Niamh reflects that with challenge comes opportunity.

“Pharmacists across the country are under extreme pressure and are incredibly busy.

Knowing we are making a difference to customers’ lives does make it very worthwhile.

Community pharmacists are facing some serious challenges today in Ireland with medication shortages being a huge problem at present.

“The network of primary care pharmacies in Ireland is ideally placed to support patient selfcare and prevention through early

intervention. Pharmacists and their teams are an easy access and great first port of call for all ailments. In the future would like to see paperwork reduced and patient contact increased with funding allocated to allow pharmacists to play this important role.

“Finally I want to say a very sincere thank you to all our customers for their support for me at this time and for their loyalty over the years.”