Pharmacists should be assessed throughout their careers to ensure they are fit to practice, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland said today.
Calling for strict regulation of the sector, society president Ronan Quirke said the move would improve public confidence.
He also said the proposed Pharmacy Act, which could be published before the current Dáil term ends, promised to be the most significant piece of legislation for the industry in nearly 50 years.
Ronan Quirke, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
"A new, enabling, robust and modern single composite piece of legislation is now imperative if patients and the public are to be properly safeguarded into the future, but competency of pharmacists must be demonstrated and maintained throughout their careers," he said.
"From the perspective of patient safety and public protection, a modern pharmacy regulatory system must include modern fitness to practice provisions for pharmacists and corresponding fitness to operate provisions for pharmacies.
"It is quite simply unworkable to regulate the pharmacist without the regulation of the pharmacy."
The National Pharmacy Summit, entitled Regulating Pharmacy in Ireland for the Future, heard all pharmacies should reach a certain standard to protect patients and the public.
Mr Quirke said fitness to practice and operate regimes must cover community, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and anywhere pharmacy services are provided.
He also said the pharmacy profession is in a position to support the enhancement of access to care and treatment for patients and to support new home-care and self-care systems.
PA