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thank the Minister for being here. I welcome the opportunity to speak during World Pharmacists Day and to recognise the invaluable contribution made by pharmacists across the country, including in my constituency of Mayo. Mayo people will use any excuse to say "Up Mayo" these days. This year … theme is "Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures" and it is a fitting reminder of the central role pharmacists play in our healthcare system. They are often the most accessible healthcare professionals in our communities and provide advice, support patients, administer vaccines and ensure the safe use of medicines

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

Tomorrow, we celebrate World Pharmacists Day 2026. Of course, it is World Pharmacists Week. This year's theme, chosen by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, is empowering pharmacists for healthier futures. It is an appropriate theme for Ireland. Over the past year, we have taken significant steps to empower … pharmacists to play a broader and more clinical role within our health service. Through new services, new responsibilities and new investment, pharmacy is becoming an even more important part of delivering accessible, patient-centred healthcare. Pharmacists are a phenomenal asset to, and a fundamental part of, our health

commitment and the work she does. I thank the Members of the House for their contributions. I also thank our hospital and community pharmacists for their work in delivering the significant reforms we have seen across Irish pharmacy over recent months and years. Every day, pharmacists provide safe … promoting public health, improving access to services and helping people to manage their health closer to home. Across the community and hospital settings pharmacists are making an increasingly important contribution to patient care. They are among the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals in Ireland. Every day, they

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

both the Minister and her predecessor. It is important that work is happening and it is good to mark it on World Pharmacists Day. As we know, Sláintecare has a strong emphasis on enhancing public health and prevention and the delivery of an integrated healthcare system. Pharmacists have … programme, 16 have no public location to access PrEP, while of the 38 private providers of PrEP 33 are based in Dublin. Community pharmacists are part of the solution to these regional inequalities and we need to expand the breadth of healthcare staff eligible to provide PrEP services

have been paying for blister packs as a private service. Another group of people have been getting blister packs for free because their pharmacists are giving them blister packs for free. I thank those pharmacists. There is a third group of people whose pharmacists have been giving them … different scheme. That is wrong, and I am glad that we have the opportunity to highlight that very wrong practice that some pharmacists in the State have been carrying out. This afternoon, I spoke with the regulator. It, along with the HSE, will be looking at this issue

delighted to have the opportunity to speak during statements in advance of World Pharmacists Day. It has been said many times in the Chamber that pharmacists play an extraordinary front-line role in terms of that preventative and community care piece. We know there are over … system. While there is a lot of focus on our doctors and nurses and other parts of the health service, it is the pharmacists, many of whom run seven-day operations or extended hours, who are at the front line or coalface within our health system. This

welcome the opportunity to speak today. I thank the Minister for her contribution. Pharmacists are medicines experts and are among the most accessible health professionals in the State. There are approximately 1,900 community pharmacies providing around 2 million visits every week. Their role has evolved well beyond … effective medicines use and patient-centred clinical pharmacies where patients have more complex needs. The key point is that we need to use pharmacists to their full potential and integrate pharmacies further into community care. That can improve access, strengthen prevention and medicine safety and reduce avoidable pressure

work to mark World Pharmacy Week with World Pharmacists Day tomorrow, I want to thank pharmacists and their teams across Galway East and throughout the country for the work they do every day. In towns and villages across my constituency, the pharmacy is somewhere people know they … older person who needs a little extra time to understand their medication. Those conversations are crucial. The reassurance, patience and personal attention that pharmacists provide make a real difference to people’s lives. I do not think we can ever underestimate that. In rural communities in particular

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

wish to thank the pharmacists for everything they do. Pharmacists play a crucial role within our health services and our primary care system. Within communities, they provide a vital service, often as part of a first call if a person is feeling unwell. They often help … failing health system where patients are subjected to huge waiting lists for primary and clinical care. The role pharmacists play and the services they offer have developed over the years, especially in more recent years as we have sought to address shortcomings within our primary care system. Universal

Blister packs are fundamentally important. They are not a luxury; they are vital. I spoke to a pharmacist yesterday who explained what happens to dementia patients and patients with a cognitive impairment who are not on a blister pack. Many often end up going back into hospital because … back with the GP, and an assembly process then takes place, usually by a technician, and finally then it is verified by a pharmacist. It costs in the region of €70 per hour. This is a loss-making exercise for pharmacists. That is what is happening. They

Deputies for their contributions today, particularly Deputy Toole for her knowledge. What she spoke of was very informative for me. I know some pharmacists in my own area of Carlow and I can only say their work and commitment to the people in the area is brilliant. First … service as a private business. It has always been a private service and we have heard the range of prices, if any, that pharmacists charge their patients. The State has never agreed to fund this monitored dosage system or blister packing. The HSE has consistently taken steps

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 … take far too long before it is open to all who should be able to avail of it. I am certain that our pharmacists can and would willingly support this delivery but has it happened? I am not aware of any concerns in regard to the logistics

Teachta Murnane O’Connor agus an tAire, an Teachta, Carroll MacNeill atá imithe anois. This is indeed a wonderful day. We are empowering pharmacists for healthier futures. There is a massive opportunity, as others have said, to capitalise on that. I thank the Minister of State … country for the massive contribution that has been made over the years. The Minister of State and the Minister recognise the valuable contribution pharmacists make to people's health, consistently delivering new initiatives and being able, professional, proficient, efficient and willing to rise to any challenges or opportunities

within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on a proposal to allow registered pharmacists to dispense prescription-free oral contraceptives.”. This is an amendment looking for a report on the provision of prescription-free oral contraceptives. It calls … Minister, within six months of the passing of the Act, to lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the proposal to allow registered pharmacists to dispense prescription-free oral contraception. While the Bill as printed allows pharmacists to represcribe certain contraceptives, we believe that oral contraceptives should

referred to in section 67E of the Health Act 1970, the primary framework for the free contraception scheme. The Bill proposes to include pharmacists as prescribers of contraception in clearly defined clinical circumstances, in addition to their existing role in dispensing contraceptive medicines and devices. The plans … Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 and the Pharmacy Act 2007 and will provide for related matters. The clinical basis for pharmacist prescribing is provided by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and regulations made under it. Clinical provisions for this service, like those that support the common conditions

work things out. We all know that blister packing is separate from phased dispensing, but the reality is that many pharmacists were using the money they were receiving for phased dispensing to put together blister packs for their patients. Blister packing is the dinosaur of medical technology … pharmacy agreement that the Government would reduce from four to two the number of criteria to be eligible for phased dispensing. As many pharmacists will not be getting that money for phased dispensing, the free blister pack service that many patients were availing of is coming

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

very precious as well. It is just a point that maybe we could have dialogue on this at some stage. On the pharmacists, I acknowledge there has been a real expansion of the services on offer from community pharmacists. The focus is no longer just on a dispensing … clinical model and the very foundation of our pharmacies. We are seeing a move towards a more expansive and integrated model where pharmacists’ expertise is recognised and utilised. The Minister and her predecessor should be acknowledged for their work to expand services in community pharmacies. It is really

understand, and I acknowledged this at the time the community pharmacy agreement was being reached, that phased dispensing was being used by some pharmacists to offset the cost of blister packs. Whatever about the rights and wrongs of that, which is what I said to the Minister … Government and the Minister are tone deaf. I have no problem with transparency when it comes to the Minister, the Government or pharmacists. I have no problem with what the Minister called "targeted probity processes" being put in place to examine what pharmacists were or were not doing

Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the charging by pharmacists for blister packs given some pharmacists are now charging €5, €10 or €15 for these packs to medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37778/26

Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the timeline for the introduction of legislation to enable pharmacists to prescribe contraception under the free contraception scheme, given that the Heads of this Bill were approved in March 2026 and identified as priority legislation … Government Summer 2026 Legislative Programme; what consultations have taken place with community pharmacists regarding the design of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35178/26

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) is advising pharmacists participating in the free HRT scheme to investigate if their patients are transgender where they suspect the gender marker on their medical records differs from their sex assigned at birth … what means pharmacists are being advised to identify such cases and obtain this information; the legal basis for this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74966/25

views on the apparently contradictory information produced by her Department in advance of the free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) scheme (details supplied); if pharmacists are expected to provide any clinical information to the HSE on patients availing of the scheme; if patients are required to provide any clinical … information to pharmacists to avail of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49829/25

title working in the pharmacy department of Children's Health Ireland, CHI, Temple Street, in tabular form; and if a senior pharmacist is on call after normal working hours and at weekends. [73921/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments regarding pharmacists and pharmacy services. [67415/26

Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior pharmacist posts filled at Portiuncula University Hospital as of 10 July 2026, in tabular form. [55234/26

Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if she will consider allowing pharmacists to administer HRT to women who have had their primary consultation and initial prescription with their GP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55644/26

July 2026, if a patient who was receiving blister packs free-of-charge prior to the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 changes pharmacists, if this patient is still entitled to receive this service free-of-charge (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54384/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether she will bring forward legislative proposals to permit therapeutic substitution by pharmacists during medicine shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53754/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the charging by pharmacists for blister packs, for those who can neither afford the new charges or take the risk of incorrect dosage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44944/26

will outline the policy framework governing hospital pharmacy workforce planning in Ireland; if her Department has assessed current and projected demand for clinical pharmacists across acute hospital settings, including Cork University Hospital, which serves as a Level 3 paediatric cardiology centre for the Munster region

University College Cork; the specific measures have been taken to address medicine shortages that have been identified as placing additional workload on community pharmacists; if she will outline whether a national medicines shortage response plan is being developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Health in light of the recent HIQA recommendation to extend BowelScreen eligibility to those aged 50 to 54, the specific role community pharmacists are envisaged to play in supporting awareness, registration, and patient navigation within the expanded programme; the timeline for formalising this pharmacy involvement as committed

submitted claims to date; whether her Department has assessed if the current grant levels are sufficient to meet the professional development needs of pharmacists, particularly in rural communities across Cork and the wider Munster region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35182/26

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department provides any financial support or incentives to encourage practising pharmacists to undertake postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualifications such as the part-time MSc in Clinical Pharmacy offered by University College Cork; if he will outline whether

whether her Department has carried out, or commissioned, any assessment of the impact on persons with disabilities of the requirement to privately fund pharmacist-prepared blister packs and monitored dosage systems where such supports are recommended on safety grounds; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health for an update on her Department's engagement with pharmacists on the cost of blister packs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31131/26

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the impact on certain nurses and pharmacists facing difficulty in continuing their education and workplace attendance due to delays in the renewal of IRP cards (details supplied); and if she will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department or the HSE issued any clinical or reimbursement guidance to pharmacists relating to salbutamol nebule shortages during 2024 or 2025, and if so to provide the details. [20302/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the data-sharing protocols between GPs and community pharmacists regarding the distribution of abortion medication; if there is a centralised tracking system to monitor if multiple requests for such medication are made by or for the same

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has engaged with representative bodies for community pharmacists, respiratory clinicians, or patient advocacy groups in relation to reimbursement continuity during medicine shortages; whether any formal consultation process has been undertaken since 2020; and if she will

carried out any clinical risk assessment of patients with disabilities, cognitive impairment, or home-care dependency who rely on pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems to safely self-administer prescribed medicines; if so, the date of such assessment; the persons that conducted it; and if she will publish

Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equality or disability impact assessment has been undertaken in respect of the exclusion of pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems from State funding under the long-term illness scheme, having regard to obligations to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities

Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department recognises that, for some people with disabilities and people receiving home-care supports, pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically required to ensure safe medication administration and compliance; whether any national clinical guidance, policy circular