David Cullinane
Ceist:413. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to change prescribing rules to better empower community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 23 June 2022
Ceisteanna (413)
Freagraí scríofa
The system of controls around prescribing and dispending of prescription controlled medicinal products for human use (excepting those products subject to additional parameters under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and Regulations) is derived from the framework of Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, and is implemented nationally by the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003-2022. These regulations apply an up-to-date and comprehensive system of control to medicinal products and particularise those products which may be supplied on medical prescription, and those that may be supplied without prescription by or under the supervision of a registered pharmacy from a registered retail pharmacy business. I have no current plans to change this framework.
This framework is underpinned by the activity of the Health Products Regulatory Authority, being the competent authority responsible for the designation of the legal supply category for a medicine, with such categorisation being particular to the product and an integral part of the marketing authorisation. A marketing authorisation for any product is granted after an assessment process undertaken to assure the safety, quality and efficacy of the product on the basis of the review of an application submitted by the pharmaceutical company involved.
The Department of Health is committed to the ethos of ensuring that the right care is delivered in the right place and at the right time for all citizens and recognises that all healthcare professionals have a role to play in optimising patient care and service delivery in line with this vision. In delivering on this I recognise that pharmacists are integral to the safe supply of medicines to patients and to the promotion of rational medicines utilisation. Pharmacists provide a clinical service through an accessible network of Registered Retail Pharmacy Businesses operated in accordance with the clinical governance framework outlined in the Pharmacy Act. They work to deliver on specific professional obligations provided for in the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Business Regulations, SI 488 of 2008, relating to the supply of both prescription controlled and prescription exempt medicinal products to patients, to assure best patient outcomes.