An investigation into the link between the over-prescribing of antibiotics and the incidence of the MRSA superbug was called for by Catherine Murphy (Independent, Kildare North).
"While it may not yet have caused an epidemic, we must gather information on this link to control the problem.
"To this end, the type of illness included in the long-term illness list must be reviewed and the eligibility criteria for medical cards adjusted. As the Minister for Health is aware, self-medication has consequences."
Ms Murphy said the Irish Medicines Board was highly regarded and its advice was frequently sought in other countries.
"Although its decision to reduce the number of tablets in packets of over-the-counter medicines has saved lives, by preventing people from intentionally or unintentionally misusing such medications, the higher cost of smaller packets results in people buying in bulk while abroad," she said.
"We need to monitor and gather information on this trend. For example, an examination of the products seized by customs officials would determine what types of medicines members of the public are purchasing online or while abroad."
Ms Murphy was speaking during a debate on the Pharmacy Bill 2007.
She said that under the legislation it would be easier to establish a pharmacy in the Republic than in any other EU member state. "I understand that some of our European partners are examining the possibility of reimposing regulation in the pharmacy sector. We need to monitor the arrangements, particularly as Irish pharmacists will continue to be prevented from establishing a pharmacy in certain other countries."
Introducing the Bill, Minister for Health Mary Harney said it would allow for fitness to practise regulations for pharmacists and pharmacies. Consequently, it would lead to the removal of restrictions on pharmacists educated in other EU or European Economic Area countries from owning, managing or supervising a pharmacy in Ireland that was less than three years old.
It was also proposed to deal with a number of related issues such as an appropriate statutory basis for the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and an updated registration scheme for pharmacists and their premises.
Ms Harney said the principal change was in the area of representation on the society's council. Currently, its membership stood at 21, all of whom were pharmacists. In line with other recent legislation in this area, she proposed to increase the representation of non-elected members of the council to a majority.
She added that the society's rules, as well as being submitted to the Minister and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, would have to be published, and comments would be invited from interested parties. "This is an extremely progressive and new development in the opening up of the activities of regulatory bodies to wider public scrutiny."
She added: "The society will have to submit any code of conduct it proposes to the Competition Authority for its opinion on its likely effect on competition, and, if the society decides not to accept the authority's opinion, it will be required to attach this opinion, and its reasons for not accepting it, to the draft code of conduct when submitting it for the approval of the Minister."
