A lifetime achievement award for Skibbereen pharmacist Diarmuid

BY Emma Connolly

A SKIBBEREEN pharmacist has been awarded a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the profession in this country. 

Diarmuid O’Donovan, from the town’s main street and brother of local businessman Cathal, was honoured at the 2017 Clanwilliam Pharmacist Awards. 

He won the Liz Herbert Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award which is presented to a pharmacist whose efforts on behalf of the profession in Ireland over their lifetime are adjudged to have been the most remarkable.

His citation at the awards ceremony read: ‘Diarmuid was a late-comer to pharmacy as he first did a degree in biochemistry and taught for a year. He registered as a pharmacist in 1977 after completing his pre-reg training in St James’s Hospital. 

‘Following a period in community pharmacy in Dublin, he returned to Cork in 1981 to take over his pharmacy in Ballyphehane. He quickly became a key part of the local community, building strong and lasting relationships in the area, and always going the extra mile to help his patients. His son Derry became involved in running the pharmacy in recent years but Diarmuid still helps out from time to time. 

‘Diarmuid always aimed for the highest professional standards in his pharmacy and fostered an environment of life-long learning for all his staff. 

‘Diarmuid’s strong commitment to community pharmacy led him to get involved in the Irish Pharmacy Union, culminating in his election as President in 1996. He oversaw the rollout of a new GMS contract and formal State-funded CPD for pharmacists. He is still a trustee of the IPU.

‘It has been remarked that “Diarmuid is a man of utter integrity, honourable, fair, patient, thoughtful and considered, always sociable and good company” and he is a very deserving winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.’

Clanwilliam Health is a leading provider of software applications for community and hospital pharmacies.

Eileen Byrne, Managing Director, Clanwilliam Health said: ‘We recognise that pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system and we are delighted to celebrate these professionals who have become a trusted adviser to some and who have their patients’ best interests at heart. A pharmacist is more than a dispenser of medicines and it’s really important to acknowledge that.’