Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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1084. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a new chief pharmaceutical officer to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54823/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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1085. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the importance of having a chief pharmaceutical officer to oversee the development of policy and strategy development, national oversight of medicine supply and pharmacy regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54824/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1084 and 1085 together.

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

The Department of Health has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff, and they continue to work and engage with, key sectoral stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union to address pharmacy matters in the patient and health system best interest. 

Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health.  The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.