Health Minister Simon Hamilton has announced the launch of a public consultation on how regulation of the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland will be delivered in the future.
Explaining his objective to strengthen and modernise regulation of the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland, the Minister commented, ‘The pharmacy profession plays an important and valued role in the delivery of health care in Northern Ireland.
‘This will increase in the future given the many new and exciting opportunities that are being developed. The public can be confident that pharmacy professionals and their teams deliver an excellent service to a high professional standard.
‘However, I consider that now is the right time to review the current arrangements for pharmacy regulation in Northern Ireland to ensure that we have modern, fit for purpose arrangements that ensure public safety and which carry public confidence.’
The Minister continued, ‘I consider that the current arrangement where the regulation and professional leadership of pharmacy is contained in the same organisation must change.
‘The consultation document invites comment on some possible future options. The feedback from this consultation exercise will be an important part of developing the evidence base upon which a decision on the future arrangements can be made.’
The Minister concluded, ‘I warmly welcome all feedback from those interested in the future regulation of the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland.’
The consultation closes at 5pm on 14th June and is available on the department’s website at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/consultations/review-pharmacy-regulation-northern-ireland.
