Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 November 2022
199. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit a chief pharmacy officer as a matter of priority who can assist in the development and delivery of a strategy for the future of pharmacy care within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58394/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Departmentof Health recognises the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the significant contribution made by this sector to patient and public health and wellbeing.
My Department has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff, and they continue to work and engage with, key sectoral stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union to address pharmacy matters in the patient and health system best interest.
Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health. However, I have asked officials to engage with the Irish Pharmacy Union in order to afford them the opportunity to outline their position in relation to such a role. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.
