Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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1676. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of a chief pharmaceutical officer; if his Department is engaging with an organisation (details supplied) regarding this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2138/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.

My Department 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. My officials have met with the Irish Pharmacy Union and afforded them the opportunity to outline their position in relation to such a role. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.