Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of the pharmacy No. 2 Bill was twofold, first to follow on from the Pharmacy Act 2007 and deal with other changes in the regulatory framework for pharmacy and pharmacy services not addressed in that Act and, second, to deal with any remaining recommendations of the pharmacy review group, including matters relating to a new pharmacy contract. Work was progressing on commencing the Pharmacy Act 2007. However, due to the complex nature of the modernisation of the regulatory framework for the sector, including the putting in place of procedures and rules in areas not previously regulated, such as the registration of pharmacy businesses and a fitness to practice regime, the Act is not expected to be fully commenced until some time in 2009.

Until the Act is fully commenced and its provisions are operational, it will not be possible to prepare proposals for any new pharmacy Bill. In addition, work on the remaining issues in the pharmacy review group's recommendations for the Bill is dependent on progress and developments in the area of pharmacy services and contractual matters. While the Department and the HSE have been engaging with the pharmacy sector on these issues, they are not sufficiently advanced at this time to permit the preparation of proposals that might be included in any new pharmacy Bill. With these considerations in mind, it is considered that the pharmacy No. 2 Bill cannot be progressed for the foreseeable future.

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