Results 9,661-9,680 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: They could be much more difficult if we had a different system in place. I know a new contract with pharmacists is about to be negotiated and hope we will get even better value from the taxpayer's perspective, given the strong legislation we are introducing. I am sure we will get value. In so far as I, or any Minister, can in legislation such as this, we are using the powers available to us...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: It will happen when the Bill is signed into law.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: We must bring forward regulations. I am informed that we will consult the organisations, but it will happen as quickly as possible. The Bill will be signed into law but, as with other primary legislation, will be implemented by way of regulations.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: The same provisions apply, whether people are related.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: What does the Senator mean by "it is allowed for"? We are certainly not prohibiting doctors from marrying pharmacists or vice versa. The provisions apply in all situations.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: As I stated, we are providing that a pharmacist has to be in charge of the corporate entity. A supervising pharmacist must be in charge of each retail community pharmacy. A person must also have overall responsibility for the chain for the reasons mentioned by the Senator such as the difficulties encountered in accessing corporate entities.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: The society will have the power to deal with the issue.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I could say yes; the standard answer is that there will be constant reviews. The legislation has been awaited since 1875 and I know there were amendments in 1962. We should be realistic, as these are significant new powers and we must allow them to take their course. They will be broadly welcomed by both professions and certainly by the regulatory bodies.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: No. We are not making hospitals retail pharmacy businesses. What we are covering is a situation where hospitals supply drugs to outpatients, as happens with certain drugs. A person has to come back to hospital for a certain anti-depressant drug called Clozaril, which requires the taking of a blood test every two weeks because it can be highly dangerous. This can only be done in a hospital...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: They will be included in the register.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: They must do so under this legislation. As I understand it, they notify the society but will now have to register.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: The retail pharmacy will be covered in the normal way.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: I must be honest. I have a good and useful note and, rather than reading it, I will circulate it to Members. It is our latest clarification. I acknowledge that hospital pharmacists comprise an important group of professionals in the health care system. They are highly qualified and, while I do not want to offend anyone, they earn much less than their retail counterparts.

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: We have met most of their concerns about the legislation, but there are issues relating to premises. Some of the hospital pharmacies I have seen are in pokey little places. If there were basements, that is where they would be. We are not addressing that issue in this legislation, but the jury is out on whether it should be dealt with in the second Bill or through the licensing regime for...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: Yes. As they supply drugs, they also fall under the same supply provisions as retail community pharmacies. From now on, all hospital pharmacies must be registered. I do not know how many of our 53 acute hospitals have pharmacy departments. While 49 of the 53 hospitals are registered and there are other settings with pharmacy departments, all such places must be registered under the Bill....

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: No. It is important to have a career structure in the hospital pharmacy sector. I understand that there are three levels. One must have three years of experience to go from the basic level to the next level and five years to go from the basic level of the supervisory level. I do not propose changing that good career structure. Instead of 70 graduates, there will be 160. This year, many...

Seanad: Pharmacy Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2007)

Mary Harney: Not if they are not dispensing.