Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014
146. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the guidelines of the regulatory authority of pharmacists in view of the unfair restrictions these guidelines impose on assistant pharmacists acting in a temporary absence by requiring them to be employed 15 hours per week and the steps assistant pharmacists may take to challenge these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38497/14]
View answerThe Pharmacy Act 2007 (the Act) provided for the establishment of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) as the statutory regulatory authority responsible for the regulation of the practice and profession of pharmacy in Ireland. The PSI established in 2007 replaced the previous professional regulatory body of the same name.
The PSI regulates approximately 5,250 pharmacists, 1,800 pharmacies and 450 pharmaceutical assistants. The Act provides for a formal system of registration and inspection of retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies), a registration system for pharmacists which takes account of the obligations imposed by a statutory Code of Conduct for pharmacists, disciplinary procedures and mandatory continuing professional development, and a registration system for pharmaceutical assistants.
Pharmaceutical assistants are a grade of pharmacy professionals that are permitted under section 30(1) of the Act to act on behalf of a registered pharmacist during the temporary absence of the registered pharmacist.
In December 1994, the "old PSI" and the Pharmaceutical Assistants Association agreed a Code of Practice governing temporary absence. This Code does not place restrictions on what may or may not be done by a pharmaceutical assistant in the temporary absence of pharmacists, but provides a framework for the interpretation of the phrase "temporary absence". Section 5(6)(b) of the Pharmacy Act provides that in any contract or other agreement to which the old society was a party, the Society is substituted for the old Society. This Code of Practice has been in place since that time and the PSI has operated it in so far as practicable, in accordance with its terms.
Section 30(2) of the Act provides for the PSI Council to make rules (with the consent of the Minister) defining temporary absence and also what may or may not be done by a pharmaceutical assistant when acting on behalf of a registered pharmacist.
The PSI is aware of the concerns raised by pharmaceutical assistants regarding the current employment environment and continues to engage with pharmaceutical assistants and the Pharmaceutical Assistants Association. This engagement will inform the development of policy and an applicable legislative framework that may be established under section 30(2) of the Act. This process is ongoing, and the PSI is committed to expediting this work as quickly as possible.
