Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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406. To ask the Minister for Health what the policy is in an area that has no pharmacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20381/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Pharmacy Act 2007 as amended provides for a system of registration whereby any entity wishing to provide community pharmacy services must register as a retail pharmacy business with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) in order to operate in Ireland. Community pharmacies can be owned by individuals or by limited companies and there is no limit on the number that may be owned.

The register of pharmacies is published online, and anyone wishing to open a pharmacy must apply to register that pharmacy at least 60 days before it is due to open. The pharmacy will also be subject to a new opening inspection prior to registration.

Pharmacies must apply on an annual basis for continued registration and pay an annual fee. Each pharmacy must have a superintendent pharmacist and a supervising pharmacist, each of whom must have at least three years’ appropriate experience.

In April 2023 there were 1,913 community pharmacies and 4,692 pharmacists registered as community practitioners with the pharmacy regulator. In Ireland there is no prohibition or geographic requirement that must be met when opening a new pharmacy practice. A recent survey published by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) indicated that 43% of Irish adults live within a kilometre of their nearest pharmacy and more than 7 in 10 adults live within a 2 kilometre radius of their nearest pharmacy. (ipu.ie/ipu-document/public-opinion-research-2021-ba/) .