Joe Lynam

Hopefully the weather will clear up a tiny bit.

Have you got all your Christmas shopping done, by the way?

I presume you've sorted out my present, Austin.

I'm going to get off that naughty list somehow.

Anyway, look after yourself, Austin.

Have a great weekend.

That is the renowned economist, Austin Hughes.

Breakfast Business with Enterprise Ireland on Newstalk.

Breakfast Business with Enterprise Ireland on Newstalk.

For decades, pharmacists have been giving free advice and care to their customers, but now they will be able to legally prescribe some medication as well.

December and early January are usually the busiest period for furniture sales.

Many of us like new stuff for Christmas and others like to refresh our homes during the winter sales.

It's a step change and will hopefully unclog GP surgeries, but also benefit pharmacies economically.

One of the biggest furniture retailers is, of course, IKEA.

They will only be allowed to prescribe eight very specific symptoms or conditions regularly.

And now they've launched an interest fee financing for bigger purchases.

But should we be encouraging shoppers to take out money on credit, even if the rate is 0%?

But it's hoped that the list will grow.

And Cuiva Macaulay is the director of pharmacy and superintendent pharmacist with Boots, but also vice president of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union or IPU.

Callum Levy is the Country Service Experience Lead with IKEA UK and Ireland and is on the line.