Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
427. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if a new pathway for experienced pharmacy technicians to become fully qualified pharmacists will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21726/22]
View answerAlthough subject to professional regulation, pharmacy education and training is provided within the wider context of higher education and so is subject both to national and EU-wide requirements. Minimum requirements in relation to the education and training of pharmacists are set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive (EU Directive 2005/36/EC, as amended by EU Directive 2013/55/EU for Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications). Pharmacy education in Ireland is also compliant with the educational standards of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and therefore is also compliant with the requirements of the Bologna Process.
The five-year pharmacist qualification is an accredited five-year fully integrated Master’s degree programme in pharmacy. On successful completion of the five-year programme, graduates are then eligible to apply to the PSI for registration.
Pharmacy technicians play an important role in many pharmacies, supporting the operation of the pharmacy and the work of pharmacists and make a valuable contribution to pharmacy service delivery. In Ireland however, there is no definition of “pharmacy technician” in legislation, and technicians are not subject to a statutory professional regulatory regime, nor is the qualification standardised across the various providers of pharmacy technician education and training. The Department understands that PSI is supportive of Schools of Pharmacy in the Irish higher education system should they wish to consider other relevant qualifications and prior experience as part of their entry requirements to the five-year MPharm, with the appropriate level of rigour and assessment, and are aware of one School of Pharmacy who make provision for up to two places each year being made available for pharmacy technicians for entry to the MPharm programme.
