asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the fact that breaking and entering into pharmacists' shops and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies has now become a means of obtaining drugs, she will introduce regulations to provide for the licensing of such shops and premises, such licences to be confined to premises which are shown, after inspection, to meet minimum standards of security to protect their drug stocks.
Written Answers. - Protection of Drug Stocks.
461.
The operations of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies are already subject to licensing by my Department. The provisions of adequate security arrangements is one of the conditions attached to licences.
Although retail pharmacies are not required to be licensed they are, like pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, obliged by the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1979, to keep controlled drugs in a locked safe or cabinet which is so constructed and maintained as to prevent unauthorised access to the drugs. The question of further strengthening this requirement is being considered in consultation with other Government Departments.