Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
222. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if a pharmacist is currently obliged to inform patients of a pharmacist's dispensing fees, pharmacy services and mark-ups, through in-store displays using a standard template; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29529/15]
View answerThe regulation of pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland is the responsibility of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), an independent statutory body established by the Pharmacy Act 2007. The PSI works for the public interest to protect the health and safety of the public by regulating the pharmacy profession and pharmacies.
Pharmacists currently have no obligation to inform patients of dispensing fees, pharmacy services, and mark-ups through the use of in-store displays. However, the PSI considers that transparency in pricing for patients and members of the public is desirable in line with the statutory Code of Conduct for Pharmacists, which was introduced under the 2007 Act. To this end, the PSI Council requires pharmacists to follow several guiding principles relating to pricing transparency for prescription medicines.
These principles include providing price information in advance of dispensing medication where requested by a patient or a patient's representative, and providing the patient or patient's representative with an itemised receipt following the dispensing of medicines.
