Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 November 2023
125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to amend the Pharmacy Act 2007 to provide for statutory regulation of hospital pharmacy technicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48921/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the question.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), as the pharmacy regulator, is responsible for protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public by regulating pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland and assuring public trust in the quality of pharmacy services through effective regulation.
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, there is no statutory requirement for the PSI to oversee, approve or accredit the education and training of pharmacy technicians.
A 'Pharmacy Technician' is not a restricted title in law in Ireland and pharmacy technicians are not subject to a statutory professional regulatory regime.
This is not to underestimate the value of the work that pharmacy technicians do, and the Department recognises that they play an important role in many pharmacies, including hospital pharmacies, supporting the operation of the pharmacy and the work of pharmacists, and make a valuable contribution to pharmacy service delivery. In these roles, they are subject to the overall regulatory frameworks that governs activities in pharmacies.
PSI recently launched their Workforce Intelligence Report which examined the current challenges to the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in community and hospital settings. The recommendations in this report have been developed following extensive consultation and engagement and from triangulation of evidence from a literature review, workforce survey and focus groups.
One recommendation of this report speaks to the development of a national strategy for the future role of pharmacy technicians within the health system.
The Department of Health worked with the PSI on the development of the recommendation and is identified in the report as the key stakeholder to progress this action.
There is substantial work to be undertaken on foot of the recommendation, however, within that work, there are no plans to amend the Pharmacy Act to provide for statutory regulation of pharmacy technicians at this time. The Department will seek to work with stakeholders to support this profession by prioritising a focus on a scope of practice frameworks, standardisation of qualifications and workforce planning.
