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Minister that 1 June is 19 days away. The majority of pharmacists I have spoken to - and I have spoken to many - tell me they are not signing up to the free HRT scheme. I understand that no communication has been made to the pharmacists about the software … that the providers of the software have not been given any information by the Department about adding free HRT to the system. Most pharmacists are opposed and no IT system is in place. What actions has the Minister undertaken to ensure the women of this country can access

that is paid under the current structure. The €6.50 is the once-off fee for contraception. I gave pharmacists the option to charge above €6.50 - €7, €8, €9 or €10, whatever they wanted - and they refused that. It is a very interesting position for the Deputy to have … rest of the schemes that we have? We can tease this through over the coming days, but I strongly suggest and hope that pharmacists will sign up. The best option for the women of Ireland is a €5 dispensing fee to be paid to pharmacists because it makes

form on this. With regard to the Covid vaccination, the first pharmacists heard of it was through the airwaves. The prescription extension scheme was introduced last September, and no homework was done on it. GPs are writing "do not repeat" scripts. There was no fee agreed with … pharmacists. The scheme is not operating as intended. On the fee itself, there is a sense out there that the diktat

days until 1 June. Women throughout the country are contacting us all. They are so anxious to know what is happening. Most pharmacists tell us they cannot implement the scheme and the reimbursement scheme, apparently, has problems with IT. We need to hear that the scheme will

education has been amazing but as the Minister, all the other Members of this House and I know, the law does not allow pharmacists to prescribe although they are qualified to do so. Advanced nurse practitioners have qualifications that enable them

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the action she has taken to ensure that community pharmacists will administer the free hormone replacement therapy, HRT, scheme from 1 June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24511/25

lack of HRT. We want to give out free HRT and yet we know there are enormous stock shortages in the system. Pharmacists now are having to seek out unlicensed medicines, which are not recognised with the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, and costing on average €15.90 while

medicine shortages across Europe, as we have discussed before. That is precisely why I have tried to recognise the experience and expertise of pharmacists to make sure they are recognised for what they do. I am not exactly sure what the Deputy would have me do differently

first thing was to have written to every pharmacist in the country

straw that is breaking the camel's back. We are all clear that pharmacists are not on the breadline

foolish to assume that the pharmacy sector is like what it was 20 years ago. This is about recognition and respect for what pharmacists are delivering. A figure of €6.50 was agreed for the contraception scheme. I get that a negotiation has to take place - I come from

additional line has to be put in. I have spoken to a number of pharmacists - not just one - and they have told me that there has been no communication with them about what will be added to the software to link them to the PCRS by 1 June

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health for an update on her engagements with representatives of pharmacists in relation to the free HRT scheme; if she will consider raising the dispensing fee for each HRT item (details supplied); and if she will make a statement

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to outline the position with regard to access to medicines by pharmacists, as indicated at a recent conference; if she is satisfied with the supply chain for all drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25002/25

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has provided pharmacists with a full list of medications to be covered under the free HRT scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24630/25

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the action she has taken to ensure that community pharmacists will administer the free hormone replacement therapy, HRT, scheme from 1 June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24511/25

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of pharmacists participating in the free HRT scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24146/25

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for appointing a chief pharmacist within the Department of Health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24134/25

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the plans she has to expand the roles of community pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24046/25

will undertake a review of international best practices, including the recently proposed NHS model in the United Kingdom, which seeks to allow structured pharmacist-led prescribing of clinically approved weight-loss medications-such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro)-outside of traditional hospital-based specialist clinics