Bird flu outbreak fears over chief pharmacist vacancy

THE lack of a top Government pharmacist leaves the country vulnerable in the event of a bird flu outbreak, experts claimed.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland said the position of chief pharmacist at the Department of Health had been vacant for the last six months.

“It has left a vacuum at the heart of that department when it comes to advising the Government on key strategic decisions to do with medicines,” said PSI president Ronan Quirke.