Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to publish the two pharmacy Bills; if she intends to implement the recommendations of the pharmacy review group that their should be no business relationship between dispensing and prescribing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38193/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has accepted the recommendation of the pharmacy review group that there be no beneficial interest between prescribing and dispensing. A Government decision was taken in June 2005 to introduce new pharmacy legislation. The legislation will take the form of two Bills. The first will remove the "derogation" on EU-EEA qualified pharmacists, introduce fitness to practice regulations and give an appropriate statutory basis for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. It will also address the problems with the current adjudication route for registration of pharmacists. I intend to have the first Bill introduced as soon as possible.

It is proposed to deal with most of the recommendations of the pharmacy review group in the second pharmacy Bill, dealing with pharmacy practice and the delivery of pharmaceutical services. The opening or establishment of all new pharmacies is governed by the Pharmacy Acts, subject to restrictions imposed by non-pharmacy legislation such as the Planning Act. There is no statutory prohibition on the provision of pharmacy and general practitioner services from co-located facilities. However, a community pharmacy contract may not be awarded to a pharmacy in which a GP practising in the area has a beneficial interest.