PIP is a Pfizer-led project aimed at improving emergency care for people in the community. The PIP is a pack containing an insert with relevant medical and personal information about the owner and this information has been obtained and input by a Healthcare Professional, most likely a Pharmacist.
PIP's may be purchased at the local Pharmacy or in any Age Action shop at a cost of €2. This is a self sustaining project and neither the Pharmacist or Pfizer makes a profit, the charge is to ensure continued delivery of the product to the public. Should there be any remaining funds, these will be given as a charitable contribution to Age Action.
The benefits of PIP are large. From a GP perspective it means that if called to the care of a patient whom they are unfamiliar with they may retrieve the PIP and ascertain a medical and medicines history. Fire Fighters and Ambulance crews may bring the PIP to the Hospital, should the patient require hospitalisation. In this way the staff will have some accurate informaiton of the patients past medical and medicines history, in addition to personal information relative to the carers, next of kin, allergies, donor information etc.
The PIP was developed in collaboration with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, Age Action Ireland, the HSE, The Fire Service, The Ambulance Service, Cork University Hospital, St Finbarr's Hospital, Cork Irishhealth.com and some of the Cork Credit Unions.
For more information please contact pip@pfizer.com