Vol. 479 No. 2
83 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health his views on the role and service the retail pharmacist provides in our health service; his views on the tremendous service and range of products which they offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12492/97]
Limerick East): Unter the Pharmacy Acts, pharmacists have responsibility for compounding and dispensing medical prescriptions and other products controlled under those Acts. Accordingly, community (retail) pharmacists play a key role in the health services in regard to the dispensing of a full range of drugs and medicines. Drugs and medicines are dispensed to general medical services scheme patients who receive their prescription medicines free of charge and to private patients who may be reimbursed in whole or in part for their medication under a range of community drug schemes.
The Department has recently concluded an agreement for provision of community pharmacy service under the Health Act, 1970. This agreement places a major emphasis on the professional role of the pharmacist and, in the context of the patient-pharmacist relationship, establishes standards to be expected in the delivery of a quality community pharmacy service. The agreement also provides for improved accountability in the dispensing of medicines under all publically funded schemes. Under this agreement pharmacists are obliged to:
— exercise professional judgment with due diligence and care,
— ensure that the quality of medicines dispensed meets a specified minimum standard,
— maintain at the practice, proper and sufficient accommodation, up-to-date reference texts, equipment and stocks.
— prior to the dispensing of each prescription, ensure that the medicine therapy of the patient is reviewed, including screening for any therapeutic problems which may arise, and an examination of the rational and cost-effective use of medicine prescribed.
— offer to discuss with the patient or his/her representative, all such matters as the pharmacist, in his-her professional judgment, deems significant following the review outlined above, including the giving of advice and the counselling of patients in their use of medicinal products,
— ensure that there is sufficient and appropriate pharmacist manpower available in each pharmacy to fulfil the terms of the contract, including the availability of a supervising pharmacist having appropriate experience,
— facilitate the development and use of appropriate information technology and telematic services for the effective management of the publicly funded schemes,
