A Guide to Irish Pharmacy Laws Every Pharmacist Should Know

 


Pharmacists in Ireland must navigate a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework designed to ensure the safe, effective, and ethical provision of pharmacy services. Essential laws and regulations that every pharmacist should be familiar with include:

1. The Pharmacy Act 2007 and Its Regulations

  • The Pharmacy Act 2007 is the cornerstone of pharmacy law in Ireland, establishing the PSI as the regulatory authority and defining the legal framework governing the pharmacy sector.
  • It oversees the registration, regulation, and disciplinary processes for pharmacists and pharmacies.

·        The Act sets out provisions relating to professional conduct, pharmacy premises, and the control and supply of medicines.

2. Code of Conduct for Pharmacists

  • Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, the PSI has developed a statutory Code of Conduct, which sets out the core principles and professional standards pharmacists must adhere to.
  • The Code applies to all pharmacists regardless of their practice setting (community, hospital, industry, regulatory).
  • Pharmacists are personally responsible for their actions and those under their supervision.
  • Breaches of the Code can lead to professional misconduct findings and penalties such as suspension or cancellation of registration.

3. Prescription and Supply of Medicines

  • Pharmacists must supply Prescription Only Medicines (POMs) only on receipt of a legally valid prescription.
  • They must verify the authenticity of prescriptions, ensure clinical appropriateness, and provide sufficient information to patients for safe use.
  • Emergency supplies and patient group directions (PGDs) are exceptions to standard procedures, but they are strictly regulated.
  • The Misuse of Drugs Acts and Poisons Acts regulate controlled substances and poisons, requiring strict compliance with prescription and storage rules.

4. Regulation of Internet Pharmacy Services

  • Internet pharmacies must be registered with the PSI and comply with the same legal standards as physical pharmacies.
  • They must ensure prescriptions are valid, patients are informed, and medicines are supplied safely.
  • Online sellers must also be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and display their registration details.

5. Advertising and Marketing of Medicines

  • Advertising medicinal products is regulated to prevent misleading claims and ensure public safety.
  • Pharmacists must comply with advertising rules under the Pharmacy Act and associated regulations.

6. Additional Legislation and Areas of Practice

  • Manufacturing and wholesaling of medicines are subject to specific regulatory controls.
  • Veterinary medicines and methylated spirits are regulated under separate legislation but are relevant to pharmacy practice.
  • Pharmacists must be aware of their legal liabilities, including negligence and defective products liability.

7. Professional Standards and Patient Safety

  • Pharmacists have a legal and ethical duty to maintain and improve patient health, wellbeing, and safety.
  • They must exercise professional judgment, maintain confidentiality, and uphold the highest standards of care.

Resources for Pharmacists

  • The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland provides guidance, FAQs, and detailed standards for pharmacy practice.

·        The book Pharmacy and Medicines Law in Ireland is a thorough and authoritative resource that covers all legal aspects relevant to pharmacists practicing in Ireland.


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