Pharmacy Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (1216)

Gerry Adams

Question:

1226 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland in relation to the problems being experienced by pharmacists registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland who wish to move and set up business in this jurisdiction; the steps he has taken to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17985/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall)

In 1985, two Directives were put in place which established the system for mutual recognition of pharmacist qualifications between EU Member States. These Directives allowed for the automatic recognition of pharmacist qualifications which met agreed minimum training requirements for pharmacists, consisting of training of at least 5 years duration (comprising a minimum of 4 years academic study at university or equivalent and a minimum of 6 months practical in-service training). The 1985 Directives contained a derogation, which was availed of by the United Kingdom (UK), to provide for the recognition of pharmacist qualifications which were of 4 years total duration (i.e. 3 years academic study and 1 year practical in-service training).

The 1985 Directives were replaced by Directive 2005/36/EC which now provides a system for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between EU Member States. The derogation which allowed for the recognition of 4 year pharmacist qualifications was not carried forward into the 2005 Directive.

The difficulty that arises in relation to the recognition of UK 4 year pharmacist qualifications is not unique to Ireland, but applies to the recognition of those qualifications in all other Member States under the framework of the 2005 Directive.

My Department and The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, which is the competent authority in Ireland for the recognition of pharmacist professional qualifications, have engaged with the EU Commission on this issue. They are working closely to endeavour to find a legal means by which affected individuals can be registered as pharmacists in Ireland.