Thomas P. Broughan
Question:40 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the findings of the pharmacy review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6636/03]
Written Answers - Pharmacy Services.
As Minister for Health and Children my responsibilities centre on the provision of a high quality health service. 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 community pharmacy contracts by health boards in terms of location, population or viability of existing pharmacies. 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.
I established the pharmacy review group, chaired by Professor Michael Mortell, in November 2001 to examine the pharmacy issues raised in the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. The group 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 consulted widely and, in particular, invited submissions from consumer interests and special interest groups such as the Asthma Society and the Irish Heart Foundation.
The report of the review group was submitted to me on 31 January. I am currently examining its recommendations and it is my intention that it will be published as soon as possible. I hope Deputies will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the detailed recommendations in the report in advance of its publication.