The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the statutory body responsible for regulating of pharmacist

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...

s and community pharmacies in the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

. It is also responsible for overseeing the training of new pharmacists. Registration with PSI is essential in order to practice as a pharmacist or operate a pharmacy in Ireland.

The Education Unit of the PSI oversees the undergraduate education and pre-registration training of pharmacy students in the Irish schools of pharmacy at Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...

, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...

 and University College Cork to prepare them for registration as pharmacists.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) regulates the pharmacy profession in the public interest. Inspection is an important part of this task. The PSI employs inspectors to inspect pharmacies and, where necessary, to secure evidence of contravention of legislation controlling the supply of poisons and controlled preparations.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland publishes the Irish Pharmacy Journal (IPJ), the official journal of the Society.

Up to April 2007 the PSI's governing Council was elected by members of the society. The Pharmacy Act 2007 reformed the society so that now 9 members of the council are elected by members of the society and the balance are appointed by the Minister for Health and Children

Minister for Health and Children (Ireland)

The Minister for Health is the senior minister at the Department of Health in the Government of Ireland and is responsible for health care in the Republic of Ireland and related services.The current Minister for Health is James Reilly, TD...

 to represent various sections of the public and health community.

At the first meeting of the Council of the new Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland in June 2007, Portumna

Portumna

Portumna is a market town in the south-east of County Galway, Ireland, on the border with County Tipperary. The town is located to the west of the point where the River Shannon enters Lough Derg. This historic crossing point over the River Shannon between counties Tipperary and Galway has a long...

 pharmacist Mr Brendan Hayes was elected President and Lismore pharmacist Dr Bernard Leddy was elected Vice President.