Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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43. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider expanding the role of pharmacists in the Irish health system to include the prescription of some medicines under agreed protocols with GPs to alleviate long GP waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26667/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the value and importance of pharmacists and pharmacies in conserving, protecting and enhancing the health of our citizens. I recognise that the provision of pharmacy care and service has the potential to be optimised and to evolve, and I am open to consideration of any scheme or proposal that is evidence based to support best patient outcomes, and realise the effective and efficient operation of our health services.

The current regulatory framework in respect of the control of medicines is based on Directive 2001/83/EC, the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995, as amended and the suite of regulations made under this Act. The Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 as amended provide the comprehensive detail of the current supply system in place. Any proposed evidence based policy change would need to be reviewed in the context of this framework, to establish any necessary legislative, administrative and governance frameworks which would need to be modified to deliver the changes required.

My department is open to engaging with any interested stakeholders in examining any proposals that are evidence based. I look forward to continue to work with key Stakeholders to ensure opportunities are realised in the area of Pharmacy for both the pharmacist, health and social care system and the patient.