Public consultation on proposed changes to the CPD system for pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants

What is this public consultation about?

This consultation is about proposed changes to legislation which will impact the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system and CPD requirements for pharmacists. The changes also propose to introduce a new CPD system for pharmaceutical assistants.

CPD is an ongoing process of lifelong learning which is focused on implementing learning within professional practice and improving outcomes for patients. It includes maintaining appropriate experience and competence, keeping up-to-date with continuing education and undertaking appropriate development and training when relevant.

We welcome hearing the views of all those interested in or impacted by the changes proposed to the PSI statutory rules that underpin the requirement for CPD and how it is overseen by the PSI.

What are the proposed changes?

Following research, reviews of the PSI and other CPD systems, and stakeholder engagement, changes are proposed to update the existing PSI (Continuing Professional Development) and PSI (Registration) Rules to allow for changes to pharmacist and pharmaceutical assistant CPD requirements. The proposed changes to the rules include the following:

1. Development and implementation of a CPD model for pharmaceutical assistants.   
2. Removal of Practice Review from the current CPD model for pharmacists.  
3. Submission of CPD records by pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants on an annual basis.  
4. Introduction of a process so that a pharmacist’s or pharmaceutical assistant’s ongoing registration is linked with the requirement to engage with CPD.  
5. The setting out of the CPD requirements of pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants in relevant policies approved by the Council.  
6. Flexibility for the PSI Council to continue to operate the CPD system through the outsourced mechanism delivered and managed by the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP), or otherwise, should circumstances arise where the market is not in a position to support this. 
7. A new policy-based approach to the quality assurance of CPD activities delivered by the IIOP. 

Where can I find more information about the proposed changes?

• These FAQs address key questions and explain the changes that are being proposed for the CPD system through the legislation.
• Background information on the review of the CPD system for pharmacists includes more on the research, analysis and engagement conducted, and the outcome and recommendations arising from the 2022/23 review.
• The report and overview of the engagement and development conducted to implement a CPD model for pharmaceutical assistants provides relevant background information.    
• Read the proposed legislative amendments in the draft statutory rules: 

PSI (Continuing Professional Development)(Amendment) Rules

PSI (Registration)(Amendment) Rules

These can be read together with the current and principal rules which are available here (S.I. No. 553/2015 and S.I. No. 494/2008).

How can I provide feedback?

We welcome hearing from all those who are interested or who may be impacted by the proposals. 

Feedback can be submitted on the proposed changes to the rules during the consultation period from Monday, 6 January 2025 to 5pm on Monday, 3 February 2025.  

You can provide feedback in one of the following ways:

1. Online questionnaire

The fastest way to provide your feedback is by completing this online questionnaire.

2. Email

You can also provide your feedback by email to cpd@psi.ie.

3. Post

Alternatively, you can provide your feedback by post to: Professional Standards Team, PSI -The Pharmacy Regulator, PSI House, 15-19 Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD72.

What will we do with your feedback?

At the end of the public consultation, we will review and consider all feedback. We will draft a consultation report which will be considered by the PSI Council. Any further changes proposed to the legislation arising from the feedback from the consultation, will be considered by the PSI Council. The consultation report will be published on our website.

Data Protection and Freedom of Information

The information provided to PSI consultations will be stored in a secure and confidential manner by the PSI, it will only be used for the purposes outlined and it will be deleted in line with the PSI’s record retention policy. After each public consultation we publish a consultation report on this website that contains a summary of comments received, the PSI response to those, and a list of any organisations that have given their feedback, where provided. Please note that submissions made to the PSI as part of public consultations are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.