The Pharmaceutical Society’s lobbying to retain a voice for Northern Ireland receives a welcome boost – even if the Health Minister refuses to make a decision.

Following clear, majority support in favour of a motion proposed by the Health Committee from both politicians and other health organisations including the General Medical Council, only the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and the Ulster Unionist Party stood between the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland and the decision they have so determinedly lobbied for. In tabling the motion, Health Committee chair Iris Robinson told the Assembly that “the role of pharmacists is evolving” and that “professional leadership is essential”. She also insisted that Northern Ireland has the potential to operate the maximum devolved control over professional regulation. ”Other devolved regions would love the extra freedom that we have been offered; for example, there are plans in Scotland to establish a Scottish pharmacy body,” she explained.

“The recent European Commission’s reasoned opinion to the UK Government — and the resultant changes that have been proposed to enable a UK pharmacist to dispense a prescription written by a doctor or a dentist registered in another European state — will have a greater impact on pharmacies in Northern Ireland, due to our proximity to the Republic of Ireland. That will affect regulatory activities, particularly in border areas.”

The Committee chair also expressed that even in the future, since the Society was open to change, its position would remain tenable. “In future, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland could follow two good existing examples: the Law Society of Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. Both bodies operate within UK-wide frameworks, but with significant local autonomy.

“It is essential that, in any new arrangements, the fully devolved nature of healthcare in the Province is reflected, public confidence in the adjudication process is maximised, and patient and public involvement is strengthened. Arrangements should be more adaptable and future-proofed, which would allow for parallel development with other UK regulators. We should build on the recognised strengths of the inspectorate. A strong local vehicle for stakeholder input and planning must exist, with a strong local voice and identity for pharmacies.”

Dr Alasdair McDonnell, a GP based on Belfast’s Ormeau Road and SDLP MP, also spoke out in favour of retaining regulation within Northern Ireland. “Pharmacists and the pharmacy profession generally, are key components of our healthcare system. Having worked with pharmacy colleagues for many years, I vouch for the fact that the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland sets a very high standard. It also sets expectations that those standards will be lifted to a still higher level. Given half a chance, the society will make an even greater contribution to our healthcare system than it has done in the past.”

Dr McDonnell also talked about the benefits offered by pharmacy on the ground. “Many minor investigations and checks — such as blood pressure — could be carried out at pharmacy level, or perhaps mechanically, as people seek more personal involvement in their healthcare,” he explained. “Aside from simple tests, pharmacists are in an excellent position to provide advice and education for patients and the general public. The Minister may have good reason to look at the situation, and he is right. However, he will forgive us for urging him not to be too keen to fix something that is not broken. I see no reason why the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland could not continue to work in close partnership with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Sue Ramsey even gave evidence during the debate that would make sense for the Minister and health officials to support the motion. “A locally based regulator for the pharmaceutical profession would also help the Executive and the (Health Minister) to achieve their ambitions for healthcare,” she explained. “Of all the devolved Administrations, this Assembly has full control over professional regulation in the health sector, which provides the Executive, the Minister, the Department, and the Committee with an opportunity to make new and imaginative uses of Health Service professionals so that positive changes in the sector can be achieved.”
However, the Minister’s concerns over the Society’s dual role were not allayed. “I want to clarify from the outset that the PSNI has two respons¬ibilities: professional regulation and professional leadership,” he said. “In any modern regulatory body, that represents a conflict of interest, as clearly set out in the White Paper. I am, therefore, left with two concerns.

“First, I find it difficult to see how the public interest would be independently served by the society’s proposal that the same organisation retain the regulatory and leadership functions. The conflict of interest was recognised by other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, other allied health professionals, and so forth. They separated the leadership and regulatory functions, and they will maintain that separation so that they can concentrate on one or the other.” The Minister also said that his party questioned whether the Society’s proposals go far enough to separate these two functions, although UUP health spokesperson John McCallister commended the Society on its willingness to adapt for the future.

“Secondly, the society suggested that local regulation by the society would be better than UK-wide regulation, but offered no substantive evidence to support its view,” he added. ”Indeed, the evidence from other health professionals, who operate on a UK-wide basis, suggests the opposite. Doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, radiographers, dieticians and so forth, opted for UK-wide regulation. It is important that a regulatory body sets standards for the profession in the interests of the public. To allow a local body to do that while articulating its own interests would compromise public protection.”
Ministerial code stipulates that the Minister has to act in accordance with an Assembly decision, and in deferring, despite what was said in his speech, he has not voted against the motion. “The Society welcomes the Minister’s commitment to working together for a positive outcome,” explained president Raymond Anderson. “We believe that in discussions with the Department and the Minister many of the concerns raised in the Minister’s speech can be addressed. We are committed to ensuring that Northern Ireland has the best system of pharmacy regulation that serves the needs of public safety and confidence.” Raymond added that the Society is looking forward to working with the Minister in the coming months.