Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1323. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to expedite the registration process for pharmacists from outside the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12935/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your question - the number of registered pharmacists on the Register of Pharmacists held and maintained by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator has continued to grow steadily over the past five years with 7083 pharmacists registered with the PSI on the 1 March 2023, under established processes based in Irish and EU law.
The Pharmacy Act 2007, as amended provides for three distinct routes to recognition with subsequent registration, of a pharmacist qualification; National, EU and Third Country.
The current Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) process comprises several stages and has been in place since 2009. The PSI is currently undertaking a project to overhaul this route however and to reform it as much as possible, with the PSI Council agreeing a revised policy approach and plan for implementing changes.
A public consultation on revised statutory rules to amend the existing PSI (Registration) Rules has been open since the 24 February, to give effect to the revised TCQR approach. The intent is to streamline the process, both to benefit applicants, PSI administrative process, and the wider public and it is hoped that the new process may be in place in late 2023.
Notwithstanding any changes that may be implemented, the Department appreciates that the PSI must be able to verify that minimum standards are met by each qualification submitted for assessment, which facilitates an applicant to progress to registration. Pharmacists practise in a sector delivering irreversible patient care and treatment, and patient safety and wellbeing must always be assured through a robust and appropriate recognition process being in place.
