Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pharmacy Services.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

117 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children his views regarding the takeover of the pharmacy sector by multinationals; his further views on the impact of this development on the maintenance and development of pharmacy services; if he will consider taking steps to protect the sector pending the report of the Mortell group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3465/03]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

147 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is expected that the pharmacy review group report will be published officially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3334/03]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

352 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is expected that the pharmacy review group report will be published officially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3353/03]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

365 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children his policy for the future direction of the pharmacy sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3164/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 147, 352 and 365 together.

As Minister, my responsibilities centre on the provision of a high quality health service and this includes ensuring, in so far as is possible, that adequate and accessible pharmacy services are generally available. In January 2002, following advice from the Attorney General, I revoked the Health (Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement) Regulations 1996. These regulations had set out the criteria and procedures for the granting of community pharmacy contracts by the health boards. As a result of the revocation of the regulations, there are now no restrictions on granting new contracts in terms of location, population or viability of existing pharmacies.

However, the opening and operation of retail pharmacies in Ireland continues to be governed by the Pharmacy Acts 1875-1977, subject to conditions imposed by non-pharmacy legislation such as the planning Acts. As regards the sale of a pharmacy business, this is a matter for the owner concerned. The pharmacy review group, chaired by Professor Michael Mortell, was established by me in November 2001 to examine the pharmacy issues raised in the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. The group has based its approach on the principles set out for evidence-based policy formulation by the Mandelkern group – the Mandelkern group on better regulation final report, 13 November 2001.

These include public and interest group consultation; analysis of the existing position; and analysis of possible options. The group has consulted widely and, in particular, with consumer interests. The report of the pharmacy review group was submitted to me on 31 January 2003. I am currently examining the recommendations contained in the report and it is my intention that it will be published as soon as possible. I hope the Deputies will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the detailed recommendations in the report in advance of its publication.