THE Irish Pharmaceutical Union has argued against deregulation of the pharmacy market in its submission to the Pharmacy Regulations Review Group. It advocates continuing the EU regulatory model, with an emphasis on the delivery of a safe pharmaceutical service to the public.
According to Mr Seamus Feely, secretary general of the IPU, regulatory reform must aim to improve a range of essential community services highlighted in the new health strategy.
"The objective of pharmaceutical care is to improve the primary care system, reducing pressure at both GP and hospital levels.
Under a special clause in their contract Clause 9 community pharmacists provide a range of essential advisory services, in addition to the operation of the methadone protocol and high-tech medicine dispensary schemes."
The practice of pharmacy in the Republic is controlled by regulations which were introduced in 1996. They emphasise a pharmacist's role in dispensing medicines and counselling patients in their use.
Some 10 per cent of the 36 million annual visits to pharmacies involve inquiries for medical advice. Surveys have shown that the most frequent users of pharmacies are the elderly, mothers of children and the chronically ill.
Referring to those in favour of a US free-market approach to pharmacy control, the IPU president, Ms Marie Hogan, said: "We have more competition here than in most other EU jurisdictions."
The IPU comments coincide with the announcement by a second international pharmacy retail chain, GEHE, that it plans to enter the market here.
GEHE it wants to take over Unicare group.