The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7407 p4
1 July 2006

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Pharmacists in the Irish Republic denied the right to prescribe

Pharmacists in the Irish Republic have been refused the right to prescribe, even for minor ailments, despite claims that it would reduce delays for patients and ease pressure on GPs and accident and emergency departments in hospitals.

Health minister Mary Harney has rejected the case made by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) on behalf of its 1,600 members. She cited the absence of a fitness-to-practise regime for the sector as one of the reasons for her refusal, plus the fact that a government-appointed review group on pharmacy had recommended “there be no business interest between dispensing and prescribing”.

Given that pharmacists would expect a small fee for each prescription, granting them the right to prescribe would make that recommendation “unsustainable”, she said.

An IPU spokeswoman commented that giving pharmacists the right to prescribe for minor ailments would ensure medical cardholders had equal access to over-the-counter medicines.