Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 5, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 59 of Act of 1970

6. Section 59 of the Act of 1970 is amended in subsection (1A), by the substitution of “a registered medical practitioner, registered dentist or registered pharmacist” for “a registered medical practitioner or registered dentist”.”.

Section 59 of the Act concerns drugs, medicines and appliances. In introducing prescribing activity for pharmacists through these amendments, it is prudent to include a registered pharmacist in the professions from whom a prescription may be accepted under this section. Further development of the mechanisms involved, especially with regard to the dual nature of the role of pharmacists as potentially a prescriber and a dispenser, will be developed within the regulatory framework to be put in place.

There will be considerations as to appropriate governance, including clinical safety, financial probity and interactions with existing supports in place for those availing of medicine reimbursements. However, it would not be appropriate to exclude the possibility that challenges in this area would be overcome in time, and we include it now on Report Stage so there is a sound basis for further development.

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