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House on the recently reached community pharmacy agreement and to take an opportunity in this House to recognise the very significant role that pharmacists play in delivering a more accessible and integrated health service across the country. Shortly after becoming Minister for Health in January, I began engaging … spoke at the IPU conference in Kilkenny, again, we set out my vision for sustainable reform and expansion of services to future-proof pharmacists’ role in health services through diversification and service expansion. We in the Dáil have already seen that in areas like vaccination, when

postmistress. Indeed, in my home parish of Ballyroan, where I am originally from, Mr. Michael Shannon, who has passed away, was the local pharmacist. His son, Criofan, continues that pharmacy in Ballyroan and Templeogue. The pharmacist who turns up at family funerals is the kind of connection … their shops. On several occasions when I have called into a pharmacy with a small ailment – thankfully not too often - I know the pharmacist knows what the answer is, but he or she does not have the legal right to either prescribe or dispense. A kind of generic

operate to the top of their licence for many decades, whether that is a physiotherapist within a hospital setting or indeed a pharmacist within the community setting. While this agreement makes progress in this regard, it could go much further. A second issue with regard to healthcare … context of GP care becoming increasingly complex, and while we have fewer GPs per capita, there is a real need for pharmacists to be facilitated to operate to a much higher level. Although they have been trained to that level, those skills have not been utilised

take pressure away from our acute hospitals and GPs, is of value to the health service. Looking at the volume of community pharmacists we have, it should be accepted that we are simply not making best use of them. They are available, they want … issue but that should not be a block. The Department and the Minister should look at that. More can be done by pharmacists on health checks. It was something I put in the plan I published a number of years ago for cardiovascular checks. Unfortunately

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as seo a chur chun críche. It is good news for community pharmacists but in particular, it is good news for the community. That is one of the key points. For far too long, highly qualified medical practitioners were not allowed practise … vital they are to the community. Each of us will know from our own family of people who have gone to the pharmacists and identified a problem of which they were not aware or they have helped them in emergencies and pointed them in the right direction

over a decade ago. At that time, there was considerable pushback from the sector but thankfully it is now standard practice for community pharmacists to deliver the flu vaccine as well as Covid vaccines. In fact, community pharmacists now administer one in every three vaccines … Covid vaccine programmes. I welcome the news that community pharmacists will begin administering the PPV23 vaccine under this agreement. However, my understanding is that this vaccine will only be provided free of charge to medical card patients over 65, unlike the flu vaccine which is free to anybody

relationship that many of us have with our pharmacists is often a very important one. To demonstrate that, there is only a handful of people on my Christmas baking list beyond my family, but my pharmacist is right up there at the top. I really welcome that … such a hub for support for many people and communities. In preparation for today's statements, I spoke with a local pharmacist, Ms Rebecca Goodwin from Roebuck Pharmacy, who was very helpful to me in explaining to me her feelings on this agreement. As we have heard from

welcome the Government's new community pharmacy agreement but, to be very clear, our independent pharmacists and communities have waited far too long for this kind of recognition. This agreement has good intentions but we in the Independent Ireland Party will not stand by and let it become … another glossy plan that gathers dust while patients and pharmacists on the ground continue to struggle. There are positives. Expanding the role of pharmacists to treat common conditions is just common sense. Allowing pharmacies to deliver more vaccinations and to support screening programmes brings care closer

follow through and fulfil. I would like to thank the Deputies for their contributions today, especially those who spoke in support of community pharmacists and the work they do in delivering a more accessible and integrated health service in Ireland. The community pharmacy agreement marks a significant milestone … community pharmacy in Ireland’s healthcare system. The agreement will support the delivery of safe, equitable, and efficient healthcare, and ensure that community pharmacists are better equipped to contribute to national health priorities through engagement, sustainable funding, and integrated service delivery. The agreement will be implemented

situation but they definitely put services under more pressure. Obviously, everything that can be advanced needs to be advanced in relation to community pharmacists to take that pressure off. If we are talking about common conditions, minor illnesses and ailments, that is one thing, but when … talking about chronic disease management and medicines management, there is definitely a greater role for community pharmacists in delivery. It is like what I said previously in relation to cardiac care, but it probably has a much wider application in this instance. We have to get into

given. The other area where it is important is with regard to non-prescriptive medicine. At present, you can go to ten different pharmacists in a day and get the same drug, even if that drug is addictive. We have no system for controlling that. Digitalisation … time, to put the package together for each customer. I understand that under this agreement, the fee for this service is being abolished. Pharmacists are concerned because this will affect certain areas. It is fine if you are in an area where you do not have a population

example, screening programmes is a positive move, as is offering immunisations. The integration in the ehealth system is obviously positive and will help pharmacists deliver in their communities. I wish to be clear that it is important that this be delivered upon because too often … topic of GPs, we need to train more of them. I ask the Minister to consider also expanding the role of pharmacists, similar to the role in Britain

welcome the opportunity to speak on this. I agree with the agreement. It is a step forward. Pharmacists are highly qualified people. Doctors around the country are under pressure. An awful lot of people, especially those who do not have medical cards, cannot get an appointment for weeks … person might have a sore ear or a bit of flu. There is an awful lot of stuff that we can trust pharmacists with. We should be moving forward and doing that. It will take pressure off doctors, who are under ferocious pressure. There is a shortage

practitioners and accident and emergency departments. It is all about getting the right medicine to the right person at the right time. Community pharmacists are medicine experts. There is a medicine optimisation process with a commensurate fund. Members have expressed a fear of phasing, and that phasing

short supply, leaving patients without appropriate inhalation therapy; and if she will ensure that the HSE and HPRA work with community pharmacists and wholesalers to secure temporary alternative treatments or imported supplies for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, such as those dependent on nebulised therapy three times daily