The Government has approved a bill aimed at increasing competition and raising standards in the pharmacy sector.
The proposed legislation will include a proposal to remove the 'derogation' on non-Irish graduates owning, operating or supervising pharmacies which are less than three years old. The Government says this will increase the number of pharmacists available to run new pharmacy businesses and increase competition in the sector.
New regulations will also strengthen the powers of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to enforce standards.
