Pharmacy group ‘ not a closed shop’

THE Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) last night rejected a claim that it is operating a closed shop by stopping a new pharmacy degree course for 50 students going ahead.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Batt O’Keeffe made the allegation after the PSI refused to sanction a new course at University College Cork due to start this autumn.

“I think it is dangerous to allow any society to have that control in restricting the number of places. I believe it is an anti-competitive measure,” Deputy O’Keeffe said.