Medical Qualifications

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Questions (1206)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

1206. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details on the number of pharmacy technicians who have completed accredited training programmes in Ireland in each of the past three years; if her Department has assessed demand for pharmacy technician employment across community and hospital pharmacy settings in Ireland, particularly in light of the graduation of approximately 170 pharmacy technicians at the IPU Professional Academy in April 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35172/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Pharmacy technicians are not regulated or registered with a regulatory body, and the qualification is not standardised. Accordingly, data on pharmacy technicians who have completed accredited training programmes is not available.

In its recent workforce report: "Ireland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce" (December 2025), however, the Department recognises that the role of Pharmacy Technicians should be considered, particularly as the role of pharmacists expands.

As part of its work to examine the development of a national strategy for the future role of pharmacy technicians within the Irish health system (Reference: Recommendation 2.4 Workforce Intelligence Report),

my Department will commission initial research this year. This research will examine topics such as scope of practice, the need for regulation of the role, and standardisation of the qualification, which will assist to inform future policy in that regard.