Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Pharmacy Regulations.

Austin Deasy

Question:

103 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that community pharmacy licences are being distributed by the Mid-Western Health Board but that other health boards are not distributing them; the reason for this; and when he expects other health boards to commence issuing same. [12756/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin): The effect of the revocation of the 1996 Pharmacy Regulations, for awarding new community pharmacy contracts, is that there are no restrictions on granting new contracts in terms of location, population or viability of existing pharmacies. However, the practice of pharmacy continues to be governed by the Pharmacy Acts. The revocation of the regulations does not affect the operation of the community pharmacy scheme, and existing contracts still stand.

The pharmacy review group is now being asked to report as quickly as possible and the type of framework, whether statutory or otherwise, required for community pharmacy services will be considered when the group reports. In the meantime negotiations between the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and my Department are continuing with a view to introducing community pharmacy regulations to cover, on an interim basis, the period from now until the publication of the pharmacy review group's report.

The determination of an application for a new community pharmacy contract agreement is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. However, in view of the current position with regard to the regulations I understand that most health boards have deferred the awarding of new agreements pending the introduction of interim regulations.