Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2018
294. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if provision will be made for pharmacists who have conscientious objections to the general scheme of the health (regulation of termination of pregnancy) Bill 2018; if they are included in the definition "medical practitioners"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38444/18]
View answerConscientious objection is covered by Head 15 of the updated General Scheme of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill which was approved by Government on 10 July 2018 and is available on the Department of Health website.
It states that where he/she has a conscientious objection, a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife shall not be obliged to carry out, or to participate in carrying out, a termination of pregnancy.
Pharmacists are obliged to comply in full with the statutory Code of Conduct for Pharmacists, published by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Principle 1 of the Code of Conduct states that “a pharmacist should ensure that in instances where they are unable to provide prescribed medicines or pharmacy services to a patient, they must take reasonable action to ensure these medicines/services are provided and the patients care is not jeopardised”.
