Questions

1656. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health in light of reports that some pharmacies are now charging patients for the delivery of prescription medications, if she will outline the funding or supports currently available to ensure that patients who are unable to travel to their local pharmacy, particularly older people, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas, can continue to access their …

1811. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if a regular scheduled rota for out of hours pharmacy service in Enniscorthy will be provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19045/26]

267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s consideration of over-the-counter codeine sales; when this is expected to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15417/26]

268. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she considers a restriction of over-the-counter low-dosage codeine-containing products to a prescription-only model to run contrary to the principles of the new pharmacy agreement and common conditions scheme; if she considers that new eprescribing and other pharmacy IT systems combined with the rollout of patient identifiers could serve as a control for ac…

603. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted a formal risk assessment of the requirement that dispensing pharmacies must contact the primary care reimbursement service on a case-by-case basis to secure reimbursement approval for clinically equivalent substitute medicines during a formally declared shortage; whether any patient-safety analysis has been undertaken regarding…

606. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the administrative burden placed on community pharmacies in circumstances where substitute reimbursement must be individually queried with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service; whether any review has been undertaken of processing times, approval rates or rejected applications in such cases over the past three years; and if she…

610. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equity impact assessment has been conducted to determine whether patients without medical cards or without established drugs payment scheme eligibility face additional barriers in accessing substitute medicines during shortages; and whether she will outline any measures in place to prevent differential access arising from reimbursement mechanisms. [13…

1138. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has carried out any clinical risk assessment of patients with disabilities, cognitive impairment, or home-care dependency who rely on pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems to safely self-administer prescribed medicines; if so, the date of such assessment; the persons that conducted it; and if she will publish the findings.…

1139. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equality or disability impact assessment has been undertaken in respect of the exclusion of pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems from State funding under the long-term illness scheme, having regard to obligations to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities; and if not, when such an assessment will be initiated. [12153/26]

1140. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the clinical or professional guidance her Department relies upon when stating that monitored dosage systems should be used only as a last resort; the source of that guidance; whether it has been formally adopted in Ireland; and if she will confirm whether any Irish clinical standard governs access to medication compliance supports for vulnerable patients living i…

324. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department recognises that, for some people with disabilities and people receiving home-care supports, pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically required to ensure safe medication administration and compliance; whether any national clinical guidance, policy circular, or Department-approved criteria exist to d…

325. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken, or commissioned, any patient safety or risk assessment regarding the withdrawal or non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs for people with disabilities or cognitive impairment who rely on such supports in a home-care setting; the findings of any such assessment; and if none has been undertaken, when such an assessmen…

326. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out a disability impact assessment, equality impact assessment, or human rights analysis in respect of the non-funding of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, under the long-term Illness scheme; and if she will confirm whether the implications for people with disabilities living independently or with home-care suppo…

327. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department first became aware that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, were being provided to patients in practice while pharmacies claimed phased dispensing fees; the policy, governance, or compliance actions that were taken by her Department at that time; and if she will outline the Department’s oversight responsibilities in respect of en…

328. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what interim safeguards or guidance have been issued by her Department to ensure that patients with disabilities or complex medication needs do not experience disruption to medication compliance supports during the current pause in changes to phased dispensing arrangements; and whether clinicians or pharmacists have discretion to continue such supports where clini…

329. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanism that exist, or are being considered, whereby a clinician, pharmacist, or multidisciplinary care team may formally certify that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically necessary for an individual patient; and whether such certification would permit continued provision without cost to the patient under existing schemes. [10673…

330. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which the non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs aligns with national home-care policy objectives that support independent living for people with disabilities and older persons; and whether her Department accepts that medication compliance supports form an integral part of safe home-based care. [10674/26]

331. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department’s examination of the use of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, will conclude; whether formal policy proposals will be published; and if she will commit to ensuring that any future framework explicitly addresses the needs of people with disabilities and those receiving home-care supports. [10675/26]

1092. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the rules governing pharmacy charges for blister-pack dispensing, including whether such fees must be explicitly itemised and displayed under PSI transparency guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9791/26]

1194. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that pharmacies have begun imposing a €20 monthly charge for the provision of blister-packed medications; the basis on which this fee is being permitted, given previous indications that the matter was under discussion with his Department; the steps he is taking to prevent the introduction of this charge, which disproportionately affects older, v…

418. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health for an update on discussions with the IPU in relation to blister packs. [8981/26]

3. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she will remove charges for blister packs for those with a clinician-determined need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5083/26]

524. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any advice or guidance has been provided to pharmacists with respect to the pause on changes to phased dispensing control mechanisms; if so, to provide a copy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/26]

525. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to address the concerns raised with respect to monitored dosage systems, or blister packs, as a result of changes agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement; if she intends to amend previously agreed changes in phased dispensing control mechanisms during the current pause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5227/26]

526. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been brought to an issue related to changes under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (details supplied); if an instruction was issued to pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5228/26]