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Pharmaceutical Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 April 2016

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Questions (265)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to the draft Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Regulation of Temporary Absence Cover by Pharmaceutical Assistants) Rules 2016, which attempts to provide a legal definition to temporary absence of a pharmacist, his attention has been drawn to the concerns of qualified pharmaceutical assistants who assert that the proposed changes undermine the profession and the holders ability to perform certain duties, which for years have become strongly identifiable with the profession itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7289/16]

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Written answers

Pharmaceutical Assistants (PAs) are registered with the pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), and may perform the same functions as a pharmacist, in the temporary absence of a pharmacist, with the exception of functions that are restricted to pharmacists under specific medicines legislation, such as vaccination services.

Since 1994, the provisions of "temporary absence" have been understood with reference to a Code of Practice agreed that year between the PSI and the Pharmaceutical Assistants' Association (PAA). Section 30(2) of the Pharmacy Act 2007 provides that the PSI Council may make Rules, with the consent of the Minister, to provide further as to what constitutes the temporary absence of a registered pharmacist and what may or may not be done by a PA when acting on behalf of a pharmacist. In 2013, the PSI Council directed that a policy position be developed to enable and facilitate the drafting of rules in line with the requirements of Section 30(2) of the Act and was included in the PSI Service Plan 2014.

The draft PSI (Regulation of Temporary Absence Cover by Pharmaceutical Assistants) Rules 2016 were developed following debate and engagement with interested parties including the PAA.

The draft Rules were issued for consultation on 8 February 2016, ending on 7 March 2016. The PSI Council considered the matter, including themes arising from the consultation process, at a policy session on the 14 April 2016. The consideration by the PSI Council is on-going and the PSI will continue to engage with the PAA and other interested parties in doing so.

Minister Lynch and I are aware of the concerns of PAs regarding any perceived changes to their employment status and conditions, and Minister Lynch met with a delegation from the PAA in September 2015 to discuss these concerns.

These draft Rules have yet to be formally submitted to me. If the PSI Council decides to submit them I will then give consideration to the Rules.

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