Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This amendment relates to pharmaceutical assistants and was proposed and supported by a number of Senators. It will amend the Pharmacy Act 2007 to provide two new functions for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Specifically, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland will be required to ensure that pharmaceutical assistants undertake continuous professional development and that they comply with specific legislation related to enactments for which it supervises compliance. Officials continue to engage with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to ensure that the voted amendments can be carried into practise in a safe and effective manner that serves the public interest. This amendment will enhance patient safety by promoting continuous professional development by pharmaceutical assistants and will be welcomed by those in the profession. They have played an important role in supporting pharmacies over many years and I wish to acknowledge the service they provide to the public and our health services overall.

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