Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1202. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he intends to create a chief pharmaceutical officer position in his Department; his views on the matter; if his Department has examined similar roles operational in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47953/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for their question.
Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health.
I recognise the substantial role pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform. The Department of Health recognises the value and importance of pharmacists and pharmacies in conserving, protecting, and enhancing the health of our citizens. Pharmacists are health care professionals who are experts in the use and management of medicines to treat and alleviate ill health and maintain good health.
To this end, on the 24th of July 2023 I established an Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland. The Taskforce had their first meeting on August 29th and has met fortnightly since. In the last few days, the Taskforce have submitted a recommendation and report for their initial phase of their work, and my officials are working to ensure this is implemented into practice over the coming months. The Taskforce will continue to work together over the next few months to make further recommendations to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy.
Several units within the Department have responsibility for advancing policy in key areas of our health system including pharmacy and medicines. There are a number of professionally qualified pharmacists among the staff in these units. These units continue to work and engage with key sectoral stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Irish Pharmacy Union to support ongoing workstreams in the pharmacy sector.
They are cognisant of potential deliverables that can be realised by and through pharmacists and pharmacy services, and the management of medicines supplies to deliver patient-centred care in line with the vision of Sláintecare.
There are complementary workstreams ongoing both within the Department of Health and the relevant agencies and stakeholders in relation to pharmacy and pharmaceutical care. Continuation of this collaborative approach is imperative to strengthen our medicines and pharmacy service delivery. At this time, the Department does not consider the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer to be a prerequisite to delivery of these aims.
