Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Pharmaceutical assistants comprise a small group of professional people who have done their jobs in a very professional manner over many years. It is difficult to understand why changes in their work conditions and responsibilities are being proposed. There has been no public outcry looking for such changes to be made. No errors have been made by those working in this profession. As I consider this matter from the outside, it seems to me that large chains are at work here. Pharmaceutical assistants are absolutely vital for pharmacies that are operating on their own as small sole traders. Such businesses depend on pharmaceutical assistants. The number of people working as pharmaceutical assistants is shrinking. The youngest pharmaceutical assistant is in his or her mid-50s. It is baffling in the extreme that changes in pharmaceutical assistants' responsibilities and working conditions are being proposed at this stage. There are many questions to be answered. Why is the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, PSI, bringing forward these proposed changes? Many questions need to be asked. These changes are completely unwarranted and unjustified. There is absolutely no justification for them.

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