Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pharmacy Review.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

216 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Pharmacy Review Report will be published; if any recommendations will require regulation or legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10161/03]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

221 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals for deregulation of the pharmacy sector; his views on the Mortell report; if he will consider deregulation based on the New Zealand model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10166/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 221 together.

As Minister for Health and Children, my responsibilities centre on the provision of a high quality health service and this includes ensuring, in so far as is possible, that adequate and accessible pharmacy services are generally available. I established the Pharmacy Review Group, chaired by Professor Michael Mortell, in November 2001 to examine the pharmacy issues raised in the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. The group based its approach on the principles set out for evidence-based policy formulation by the EU-level Mandelkern group (The Mandelkern Group on Better Regulation Final Report, 13 November 2001). These include public and interest group consultation, analysis of the existing position and analysis of possible options.

The group consulted widely and, in particular, invited submissions from consumer interests and special interest groups such as the Asthma Society and the Irish Heart Foundation. The Pharmacy Review Group submitted its report on 31 January 2003. I am currently examining the recommendations contained in the report and it is my intention that it will be published as soon as possible. Deputies will appreciate that it would be not be appropriate for me to comment on the report's recommendations before publication.