Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2004
209 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce legislation to ensure that pharmacies stay in the hands of pharmacists; and if he will legislate for a one pharmacist, one pharmacy model. [6339/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe opening and operation of retail pharmacies in Ireland is governed by the Pharmacy Acts 1875 to 1977, subject to restrictions imposed by non-pharmacy legislation such as the Planning Act. Pharmacies have not been exclusively pharmacist controlled since 1890. Any individual or company may open a pharmacy providing that the shop and the dispensing and compounding of medical prescriptions are personally supervised by a person who is a pharmacist and is employed in a full-time capacity and is not acting elsewhere in a similar capacity. I have no plans to legislate for a one pharmacist, one pharmacy model.
