Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
621. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when he plans to commence section 53 of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 as it relates to pharmaceutical assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5026/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 is a large and complex Act which has been several years in development.
Officials in my Department are liaising with the five health professional regulatory bodies to progress commencement of the Act's remaining provisions at the earliest opportunity. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) as the regulator of Pharmacists and Pharmacies in Ireland is one of these bodies.
However, the amendments brought about by the Act involve a very significant body of work for each of the regulators as changes are being introduced across complex areas such as to Continued Professional Development for Pharmaceutical Assistants. Some of these changes require the drafting of new rules and may require public consultation etc.
The commencement of s.53(a) of the 2020 Act which relates to Continued Professional Development for Pharmaceutical Assistants (PAs) is scheduled for commencement on 1 October 2022. The commencement date of s.53(b) which includes a provision for the PSI to supervise compliance by PAs with the Pharmacy Act and other enactments is still under consideration and it is not currently possible to provide a specific timeline.
