Questions

522. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland’s plan to increase fees by 42% when inflation is forecast at significantly lower that this; if she considers this to be proportionate to what pharmacies facing 3% CPI can reasonably absorb; if she will stay the Statutory Instrument pending clarity; and if she will make a statement on the mat…

523. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland has determined that a 42% increase in registration fees over three years is proportionate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35839/26]

524. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the fact that pay costs at the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland have increased by 35% since 2021 and now absorb 55 cent of every euro received by the organisation; if she is satisfied that this level of administrative expenditure represents value for money for registrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35840/…

525. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland in each of the years 2021 to 2024; the number earning over €60,000 in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35841/26]

526. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department carried out any independent assessment of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland's proposed fee increase before the relevant Statutory Instrument was prepared; if so, the findings of that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35842/26]

527. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will consider requiring the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to phase its fee increases in line with CPI projections rather than implementing a 42% increase over three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35843/26]

528. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if registrants of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland were formally consulted on the proposed 42% fee increase; if so, the outcome of that consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35844/26]

2040. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the rationale for removing funding for monitored dosage systems (blister packs); the assessment carried out on the impact this will have on vulnerable patients, including those with dementia and complex medication regimes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73860/25]

2041. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing a sustainable funding model for blister packs, given that the service costs approximately €70 per patient, per cycle, and is essential for medication safety and independent living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73861/25]

2042. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department has engaged with the Irish Pharmacy Union regarding the removal of blister pack supports and the financial impact on community pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73862/25]

2043. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the guidance which has been issued to GPs and pharmacists regarding applications for blister packs following the policy change; the alternative supports which will be available for vulnerable patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73863/25]

2044. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently receiving blister packs and the projected impact of introducing charges of €20–€50 per month on these households; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73864/25]

2045. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered the risk of medication errors and hospital admissions resulting from the removal of blister pack supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73865/25]

2046. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health her plans to review the phased dispensing scheme, which currently covers only nine core drug families;and whether this will be expanded to include blister packs for vulnerable patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73866/25]

2047. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total number of patients currently receiving monitored dosage systems (blister packs) through community pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73867/25]

2048. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a breakdown of blister pack users by category, including the number of patients with dementia; the number with severe or complex illnesses; the number requiring multiple medications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73868/25]

2049. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the clinical or risk assessments which have been carried out by her Department or the HSE on the impact of removing funding for blister packs, particularly in relation to medication adherence and hospital admissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73869/25]

2050. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if any cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken comparing the cost of funding blister packs versus the potential cost of increased hospital admissions and adverse medication events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73870/25]

2051. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will provide details of any consultation with patient advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, or the Irish Pharmacy Union before deciding to remove support for blister packs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73871/25]

2052. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the alternative measures which will be put in place to protect vulnerable patients who currently rely on blister packs for safe medication management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73872/25]