Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

As for Senator Browne's query, I mentioned during the Second Stage debate that the HSE was preparing to ensure prescriptions would include a reference one's ability to go to any pharmacist. It is important for patients to have such information.

In respect of grants to doctors and pharmacies, there are special arrangements in disadvantaged areas for general practitioners. However, in both cases, these are professional entrepreneurs. In the case of pharmacy, approximately 80% of the business, sometimes more, is paid for by the taxpayer. The manner in which the State pays for the contract of service must be made attractive as otherwise, people would not be involved in the business in the first place. I certainly do not envisage grants.

Rising property values raise issues for health care facilities in terms of being able to compete in a market where it is lucrative to invest in residential, commercial or even industrial property. Recently, I spoke to a local authority on the need to designate by way of zoning particular portions of land for health related facilities, especially residential care. It is increasingly difficult in major urban centres for anybody who wants to provide private residential care to be able to purchase a property and make a reasonable return when the obvious temptation is to invest in residential apartments or housing or commercial activity. It is a major issue.

In the centre of Dublin it is difficult to encourage new entrants into the long-term care market. Most of the facilities built are on the fringe of the city where land values are cheaper. It raises issues and I would like to see it dealt with by way of specific zoning. The same may apply to other health facilities. Ultimately, patients and the health system must pay for the higher costs in attracting people into the business.

Regarding the points made by Senator Henry, the Bill cannot be retrospective in the context of what is already in place. Under the Bill the Medical Council and society will have specific powers to deal with ongoing behaviour. If a blatant economic attraction does not meet with market requirements, it will be a matter for the society to establish whether a normal relationship exists.

We will not prohibit doctors from owning pharmacy buildings or vice versa. We will not prohibit people's rights to own properties. We seek to deal with conflicts of interest where economic misbehaviour takes place which affects the professionalism of either the pharmacist or the doctor. As Senator Henry stated, patient safety is put at risk in such a situation. To survive, a pharmacist requires a doctor to prescribe. If a patient who does not require a prescription receives one, it is a patient safety issue which is why it is dealt with through fitness to practice provisions, and this is the appropriate route.