Pharmacy bill to protect consumers

RADICAL reforms in the pharmaceutical industry were approved in a new bill yesterday which will help safeguard consumers.

The legislation provides for new standards of governance, fitness to practice changes and registration for pharmacists. Health Minister Mary Harney said it was a complete overhaul of regulation of pharmacy.

“The Government have approved this bill as a major reform to support and increase public confidence in pharmacy practice in a structured and sustained way for decades ahead,” she said.

Under the bill, registration for pharmacists will extend to retail businesses — the last link in the chain from manufacture to the sale of medicinal products. The balance on the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society will shift to a majority of non-pharmacists.

The sale and supply of medical products must be under the control of registered pharmacists. Each premises must have a pharmacist with a minimum three years’ experience on site. Corporate bodies involved in sales or administration of medical products must also have an experienced pharmacist on site. Purporting to be a pharmacist, without qualifications, will also be an offence.

The legislation will allow more EU pharmacists practise here. This will mean a removal of legislation that blocks pharmacists educated in other EU countries from owning or supervising a pharmacy that is less than three years old.

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Ronan Quirke said: “The new Pharmacy Bill is long overdue but we are pleased that the Government has delivered on their commitment to update the regulatory framework for the profession of pharmacy.”