Brendan Howlin
Ceist:71 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in his consideration of the pharmacy review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12010/03]
Written Answers. - Pharmacy Review Group.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:115 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the European pharmacy model, where community pharmacy continues to be controlled by owner-pharmacists in the interests of an efficient and accountable community healthcare delivery system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 115 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.