Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

670. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider establishing a position of chief pharmacy officer within the HSE. [53327/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health recognises the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public.

The Department has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff and they continue to work with key Stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union to ensure that pharmacy matters come to the fore. Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmacist Role in the Department of Health.

Within the HSE sits the Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit including a Chief Pharmacist who is head of that unit. They interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications and the operation of the national pricing framework agreements.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

671. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the delay in recognising pharmacists from non-EU countries to help address the shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53328/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Pharmacists wishing to practise in Ireland must be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI — The Pharmacy Regulator). It is the PSI’s responsibility in the public interest to ensure that Pharmacists as healthcare professionals are competent to practise. The role of a pharmacist is a significant and responsible one, and patients must be assured that pharmacists are capable of providing a safe and effective pharmacy service.

The PSI operates three routes of recognition/registration depending on where the pharmacy qualification has first been acquired – the national route, EU route and non-EU (third country qualification recognition - TCQR) route under established processes based in Irish and EU law, and cognisant of obligations emanating from Community Membership, and other legislative frameworks including Equality legislation. Currently, each individual applicant going through the TCQR process has the qualification presented assessed through a defined process, which may/may not include the requirement for completion of a period of adaptation, based on the outcome of the individual’s performance in an Equivalence Examination, and conducted on behalf of the PSI by a third party, currently UCC.

The PSI has recognised that its Third Country route of qualification recognition and registration is complex for applicants and is currently in a process to review it so that it is more streamlined and easier to navigate, with the aim being to have an improved TCQR route in place. This is a strategic project being progressed as part of the PSI Service Plan for 2022.