Causeway Coast woman elected new President of Irish Pharmacy Union
A Causeway Coast woman has been elected the new President of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU).
Caoimhe McAuley from Cushendun was elected President at the IPU National Pharmacy Conference 2026.
A past pupil of Ballycastle’s Cross and Passion College, Ms McAuley has been actively involved with the Irish Pharmacy Union for a number of years serving as Vice-President for the past two years, representing the full breadth of community pharmacy and working to support all members regardless of employment setting.
She has been a consistent voice for unity within the sector, believing that a strong IPU is a united one and has contributed to national discussions on the evolving role of pharmacy within primary care and the wider health system.
She brings more than 20 years’ experience in community pharmacy, with a career spanning frontline practice, operational leadership and national service delivery.
In her role as Director of Pharmacy and Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots Ireland, she has overseen the development and expansion of a wide range of community pharmacy services, including vaccination programmes, women’s health initiatives and public health services delivered at scale.
As part of her priorities, Ms McAuley called for Government support to fully enable pharmacists to meet the infrastructure and connectivity requirements of an increasingly digital healthcare system.
"There is a clear opportunity to fully enable pharmacists to contribute in the digital era. Community pharmacy has embraced digital change, but we now need the infrastructure, engagement and support to manage that agenda.”
Ms McAuley succeeds Tom Murray and will represent community pharmacists across the country during her term as President.