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PSI Reports Successful First Year as Pharmacy Regulator

Date: 29 April 2009

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has reported the successful implementation of significant sections of the new pharmacy legislation, including new registration systems for pharmacies and pharmacists, in its Annual Report for 2008.

“2008 was the first full year of the PSI as pharmacy regulator and, while it was a challenging year in many respects, it was also a successful year for the pharmacy regulator as it progressed the implementation of the Pharmacy Act 2007,” said PSI Registrar/CEO, Dr Ambrose McLoughlin.

“This includes the new pharmaceutical registration systems provided for in the modern legislation enacted two years ago, and in particular the registration of pharmacies (retail pharmacy businesses) for the first time. The PSI, with the support and co-operation of pharmacy owners and pharmacists, was successful in implementing this new statutory system by the end of the year.”

By 31 December 2008, 4,465 pharmacists were registered with the PSI, and some 1,680 pharmacies were registered for the first time following the introduction of this requirement on 01 January 2009.

There were 66 new openings of pharmacies in 2008, mainly in the urban centres of Dublin and Cork, continuing the trend in recent years of decreasing numbers of new openings.

The Annual Report also states that significant progress was made during 2008 on the regulator’s ICT capability, with the development of a new database for registration which enabled the publication of Registers online so that the public can now check the registration status of pharmacies and pharmacists.

The PSI’s role over the past year has changed significantly, with substantially enhanced powers and responsibilities, including new powers of inspection and enforcement. The new Act also gives the PSI several key functions in relation to pharmacy education, and it is undertaking comprehensive reviews of the education and professional development of pharmacists, including a ‘root and branch’ review of the five-year programme of education and training for pharmacy students, which currently has more than 850 students in the programme.

The PSI received and investigated 49 complaints, compared to 35 in 2007. This upward trend is likely to continue as public awareness of the regulator and its functions increases. The main categories of complaint were alleged dispensing errors, refusal to supply and alleged breaches of law.*

The Pharmacy Act 2007 is being commenced in three phases and much of the work of the regulator last year was focused on preparation for the second phase which commenced on 29 November 2008. This included the development of and public consultation on a statutory Code of Conduct for pharmacists and a number of statutory rules related to various functions of the regulator.

In addition, the PSI undertook extensive consultation with the pharmacy profession and sector during 2008, including a series of nationwide meetings to brief pharmacist and pharmacy owners on the new provisions of the Act and to disseminate a Pharmacy Practice Guidance Manual self-audit tool to assist with compliance.

The PSI also presented the Minister for Health and Children with the Interim Report of its Pharmacy Ireland 2020 initiative, which is examining the development of pharmacy services in Ireland in line with international practice.

In 2008 the PSI began a joint initiative with the Road Safety Authority with the launch of a public awareness leaflet entitled ‘Medicines and Driving’.

The full PSI Annual Report for 2008 is available to download from the PSI website under the ‘Publications’ tab.

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