Pádraic McCormack
Question:129 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to make regulations for the ownership of pharmacies to be vested in pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25237/02]
Written Answers. - Pharmacy Regulation.
Denis Naughten
Question:137 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider proposals by the IPU to regulate the ownership of pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25254/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 137 together.
I met the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, IPU, last week. At the meeting the IPU put forward its proposals for regulating the ownership of pharmacies. A pharmacy review group, chaired by Professor Michael Mortell, is examining the pharmacy issues raised in the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. Accordingly, I am referring the IPU proposals to the review group for consideration.