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public health, and sustainable investment. It will further support community pharmacies in diversifying their health service offerings, business models and revenue streams. On phased dispensing, there is one important element of the agreement, changes being made to the rule set around phased dispensing, which I would like … outline to the House. This agreement does not remove phased dispensing. Phased dispensing was introduced in 1996 for patient safety reasons. The supply of medication in instalments can support patients prescribed certain high-risk medications who are at risk of medication misadventure if these medications were

agreement is that we will see a very real and tangible impact on the most vulnerable, arising from the ending of phased dispensing for reasons 1 and 4 in the agreement. I am conscious the HSE has wanted to end phased dispensing for a considerable period, as there … just hand over the blister pack. Those with a visual impairment are also impacted. One pharmacist told me he only started to use phased dispensing some years ago when a person with a visual impairment came to him and said they wanted their medication to come

should have access to this new service free of charge. I accept that for eligible patients under the HSE drugs scheme, the medication dispensed will be reimbursed. However, one of the main arguments for the common conditions service was to divert medical card holders away from overstretched … still be the only place where they can do so free of charge. Another major issue with this agreement is the ending of phased dispensing for certain groups and the limiting of eligible medicines, as reported in the Irish Examiner last week. Phased dispensing was put in place

particular concern are the exclusion of blister packs or monitored dosage systems, MDS, from reimbursement under the agreement and restrictive provisions on phased dispensing, limiting its use and removing reimbursement in some cases. These omissions undermine safe medicines management for vulnerable patients and place additional strain on pharmacies

taken to ensure protections remain in place for persons who rely on phased systems for medication dispensing, ahead of the planned removal of phased dispensing under the Community Pharmacy Agreement Act 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52446/25

asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the drastic impact that the ending of reason one and reason four for phased dispensing in the recent community pharmacy deal will have on vulnerable older persons and those with a disability; and if she will make