Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1507. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to create a chief pharmaceutical officer position in his Department; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13860/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health recognises the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the ongoing significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public, particularly during the pandemic.

The potential role that pharmacy may play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare, is under consideration. The Department is open to exploring any evidence based appropriately governed services, delivered by appropriately trained professionals which will support this aim.

In this regard a number of proposals and ways to progress the potential extension of the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the short, medium and longer term are currently being considered.

To answer the specific question, at this time currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health.

The Department has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff. Furthermore a number of units within the Department have responsibility for advancing policy in key areas of our health system. They are cognisant of potential deliverables that can be realised by and through pharmacists and pharmacy services, to deliver patient centred care in line with the vision of Sláintecare.