109 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the timescale and content of his planned review of the current community pharmacy contracts. [5492/01]

The Health (Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement) Regulations, 1996, provide a system for regulating the granting of pharmacy contracts in accordance with public health criteria. The regulations specify the criteria and procedures under which the chief executive officer of a health board shall determine the issue of new community pharmacy contractor agreements for the provision of community pharmacy services under the Health Act, 1970. They regulate the granting of contracts with a view to (1) bringing Ireland into line with other EU-EEA states where such controls exist in one form or another; (2) improving standards in existing pharmacies; and (3) promoting patient access to pharmacy services in rural areas. Because of the absence of any controls in regard to the granting of contracts, Ireland has been compelled to continue a derogation from the Free Movement of Pharmacists Directive.