Ms Sharon Foley:

We are engaging with the Department. The Minister has indicated that he would be interested in a strategy for pharmaceutical care. It is our opinion that that strategy should be driven by a chief pharmaceutical officer. This is what is happening in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. In fact, they are going further and are already on their second or third strategies. In each of those places, the strategy is driven by a chief pharmaceutical officer. There is a Chief Medical Officer, a chief veterinary officer and a chief nursing officer. There is also a new chief health and social care professional officer. Why is there not a chief officer for pharmaceutical care?