Vol. 566 No. 3
354 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has met representatives of the IPU; if he intends to act upon recommendations for the development of the pharmacy industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12919/03]
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 have met the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and am aware of its concerns regarding the future development of pharmacy services. Officials of my Department have also been engaged in a series of meetings with the IPU. I established the pharmacy review group, which included a representative of the IPU, in November 2001 to examine the pharmacy issues raised in the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. The group, chaired by Professor Michael Mortell, 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 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 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.
Question No. 355 answered with Question No. 294.
