Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is very disappointing that the Department has no plans to appoint a chief pharmaceutical officer. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is wrong not to do so. Having such an officer in place would help to pull all the various strands together. It would facilitate the drawing up of comprehensive strategies for the short, medium and long term for the delivery of pharmacy services. Pharmacists want this to be done and they have empirical evidence to suggest it will work. It would follow international practice, with every other country seeming already to have a chief pharmaceutical officer. Some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world have their European head offices in Dublin. The Minister and the Government are out of step with best international practice in this matter.

The Minister of State's response is not acceptable. It will cause grave disappointment to pharmacists the length and breadth of the country who have done so much to help communities. The Oireachtas health committee will be writing formally to the Minister to make a strong recommendation in this regard. If that communication has not already been sent, it will be done in the coming days.