asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of grave concern being experienced by qualified assistant pharmacists, who are legally covered by the Pharmacy Act of 1890, to cover the temporary absence of pharmacists and the change that they feel has been brought about by stealth in relation to their professional standing and their concerns about the possibility of being disemployed; and if he will make a statement in relation to the future of qualified assistant pharmacists.
Written Answers. - Qualified Assistant Pharmacists.
139.
Pharmaceutical assistants through their representative body, the Pharmaceutical Assistants Association, have made known their concerns in relation to their professional standing and future role.
Central to the issues raised by the assistants is the question of interpretation of "temporary absence". Under section 19 of the Pharmacy Act (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1890, an assistant is entitled to transact the business of a pharmacist in the latter's temporary absence. It will be appreciated that interpretation of statutes is a matter for the courts alone to decide.
Since it is the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland which is the body responsible for professional standards in pharmacy, it is a matter for the assistants to pursue the issues they are concerned about with the society.