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charge. That is something the Minister might take away and have a think about. Last time we were here we talked about contraception and I will take this opportunity to again raise the matter of prescription-free oral contraceptives. As I have said previously, the World Health Organization … recommends prescription-free access to oral contraceptives. This includes both combined oral contraceptives and progestogen-only pills. This would still be treated as behind-the-counter pharmacy access requiring eligibility screening by trained pharmacists before being dispensed. We must remember pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and they

sustainability, environmental responsibility and prudent resource management, initiatives such as MediBack become ever more important. I want to highlight the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Act 2026 enabling pharmacists to issue additional prescriptions for some forms of contraception. Patients will be able … seek new prescriptions for short-acting forms of contraception - the progesterone-only and combined hormonal pill patch and ring - throughout the services. Pharmacists, of course, are already able to provide emergency contraception. Needless to say, that will continue. Pharmacists will be enabled to issue repeat prescriptions once

based advice to support the continued evaluation of pharmacy and pharmaceutical care in Ireland. In the near future, another important pharmacy service, the contraception prescribing service, will be introduced. This service will enable pharmacists to provide prescriptions for specific forms of contraception to women aged 17 years … over, following an initial prescription. The primary legislation to enable this service, the Health (Provision of Contraceptive Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Business) Act 2026, has been signed into law. Work is ongoing on the necessary secondary legislation. Patients aged 17 to 35, who qualify for free contraceptive

Later on, we saw a similar situation in regard to the blister packs. Did the Minister consult the pharmacists? The free contraception scheme is another very positive scheme that our pharmacists are crucial in the delivery of. I have raised with the Minister on a number of occasions … would be willing to work with the pharmacists and ensure that everybody over 32 years of age is able to get free contraception. Otherwise, the only explanation is a lack of political will on the part of Government. As we mark World Pharmacists Week and recognise the significant

upcoming secondary legislation, which I know is being worked on at the moment, to provide regulatory guidance and pharmacist training for the contraceptive prescribing service, which will allow repeat prescriptions for some forms of contraception. This is a really important and welcome move. I think especially of those

months, the introduction of the common conditions service and the passage of a Bill to allow for pharmacists to represcribe certain contraceptives and I understand that the Department is finally on course to appoint its first Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

ordination is not there. Women’s health is obviously a very important issue for the Minister, as it is for me. The contraception prescribing service that will operate from early next year will be wonderful. However, to repeat myself

healthcare professionals, with clear referral pathways and better communication for everyone. I also welcome the legislation that enables pharmacists to prescribe contraception. Its implementation offers an opportunity to make care more accessible and convenient for women. We should ensure that participating pharmacies are supported and that women understand

properly and appropriately trained team. Pharmacists also have a health promotion role, involvement in bowel screening and will soon be able to prescribe contraceptives. I will pick up on a point made by Deputy Cullinane about the potential for chronic disease projects going forward. That is something