54. Section 11 of the Act of 2007 is amended—

(a) by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (2):

“(2A) The Council may make rules in relation to the specification of grounds for the purposes of section 16(2)(c) after having regard to—

(a) the standard of education and training required to obtain recognition as a pharmacist in the State referred to in that section for persons seeking to become pharmacists,

(b) the practical experience of such persons, and

(c) the continued professional development for such pharmacists.

(2B) Subject to subsection (2C), the Council may, for the purposes of section 14(1)(a) (including that section as read with section 14(5)) make rules for the purposes of setting criteria to be complied with by persons who wish to—

(a) resume practice as a registered pharmacist after not having so practised for a period specified in the rules, or

(b) commence practice as a registered pharmacist after not having so practised previously where a period specified in the rules has elapsed since such persons have obtained their respective qualifications in pharmacy pursuant to which they wish to so practise.

(2C) Criteria to be complied with by persons referred to in subsection (2B) may include criteria in relation to—

(a) the education or training of those persons,

(b) the manner of verifying that those persons possess the relevant competencies, or

(c) any other matter where, in the opinion of the Council, the specification in rules of criteria in relation to that matter is necessary or desirable for the protection of the public.”,

(b) in subsection (4), by the substitution of “subsection (2), (2A), (2B) or (3)” for “subsection (2) or (3)”, and

(c) in subsection (5), by the substitution of “subsection (2), (2A), (2B) or (3)” for “subsection (2) or (3)”.