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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

government is - I have not heard anyone in government doing this, and the Minister for Health certainly is not - blaming pharmacists at all. Pharmacists have an important role to play. In fact, in our programme for Government, we commit to wanting to see an expanded role for pharmacists … pharmacy contract. When properly and robustly financially supported, there is huge potential for pharmacists to do more. I know that from calling into them across the country. There is no blame game here at all. What there is is a new Minister in a new Government determined

pharmacy and women's healthcare services. Sinn Féin will support the Bill. It is a sensible measure that recognises the expertise of community pharmacists and reduces unnecessary barriers for women who need repeat prescriptions for contraception. Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country … They are embedded in each of our communities. They are trusted and are often more accessible than a GP. Allowing appropriately trained pharmacists to prescribe repeat contraception following the initial GP consultation will make life easier for women. It will reduce unnecessary GP appointments and ease pressure

need them on the basis of a clinical recommendation. It came as a shock to many patients when they received letters from pharmacists or were told orally by pharmacists that the blister packs that were previously funded and paid for, as they saw it, were now going … couple of months. The reason she gave for putting it on hold was rightly, that there is a lot of additional work for pharmacists. They are administering the flu vaccine and the Covid vaccine, which I got myself in a pharmacy last week. There is obviously additional work

clarify some pieces of misinformation that in the media that have been bandied about in the Chamber this evening. The role of a pharmacist and their team, including pharmacy technicians, is a very professional one of safeguarding and ensuring that the right patient gets the right medicine … years, the delivery of complex medicines has increased, as has the complexity of ensuring that the right patient gets the right medicine. Initially, pharmacists offered an opt-in for an optional blister packing service. Then it became slightly more formal with the recognition of phased dispensing. That could

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

August 2024. Its findings provide a framework to inform how we are going to do that. My vision for the future includes pharmacists playing a much larger role in the health service. I am happy now to see the progress being made between my Department and the representatives … development and introduction of a common conditions service in community pharmacy. That service will be the first step in enabling full, independent pharmacist prescribing. It will allow pharmacists in Ireland to treat their patients for common conditions such as shingles, urinary tract infections and conjunctivitis. It will also

person and in the privacy of a consulting room. That is obviously initially with the GP but the follow-up is with the pharmacist. The more structured approach that we are trying to give is about making sure that those protections are in place, that there … clinical judgment of the GP in the first instance, followed up by the pharmacist, and also that it is not a simple over-the-counter service and there is a consultation or appointment for it. I do not think this is the case, but the Deputy can imagine

important that we allow pharmacists to operate at the top of their licence and give them as much power as possible, and alleviate pressures on GPs. As I said, this is recommended by the World Health Organization and endorsed by the previous health committee and the IPU. That … background to this amendment. Many pharmacists have private spaces where they do consultations about emergency contraception. Those spaces exist. It is one that we can maybe think about and have dialogue and engagement about in future. We can think about how we make the most of pharmacists

welcome this legislation that progresses the free contraception available for those aged 17 to 35 and will allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptive medicines and products. What annoys me is to see that the Government has said the pharmacies will set their fees locally. This is not good enough … something put in place to ensure that the contraceptive is actually free when somebody goes to the counter to purchase it. Pharmacists are entirely capable of providing enhanced care beyond that which they currently do. It is a positive step. Of course, when we ask more

time but access to it has been an issue. In that regard, it is most welcome that prescription rights have been extended to pharmacists by this legislation. The other critical thing is that for all those women not eligible for the free contraception scheme - and I will talk … think we are all in agreement that when there is no medical need to attend a GP, it makes eminent sense to allow pharmacists operate to the top of their licence and to devolve greater care to them in the community. We welcome that. There are cost barriers

their communities. They are the first, and often easiest, place to go for trusted advice and practical support for patients. Of course, pharmacists are medicines experts, but their role goes way beyond that now and we would like it to go further. They deliver prevention and public health … Covid vaccines and school-based programmes. Of the 26% of children who got vaccinated last winter, 56% got their flu vaccine from a pharmacist, which is remarkable. I am delighted to say that, from May, pharmacies will provide pneumococcal vaccination for eligible healthy adults over 65 who have

more important thing from the State's perspective is the degree to which this service was being used incorrectly by some, not all, pharmacists for their own financial benefit. That is what this State and this House must have an interest in. There are people who have always … There are those who have been getting blister packs for free from their pharmacy and have never been charged, and the pharmacist is simply doing this to support them in different ways. There are also people who were receiving blister packs free of charge but the pharmacist

anger at the Government's decision to withdraw funding supports for blister pack medication has been laid bare. The reaction has been extraordinary. Pharmacists and carers have been inundated with messages of fear and disbelief. People who have never contacted a TD before have been calling constituency offices … vulnerable patients, undermine medication adherence, overwhelm carers and potentially lead to avoidable GP visits and hospital admissions. It is a decision that pharmacists, carers and front-line workers say is a false economy. I will put some clear questions to the Minister. Why is blister pack support being

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

practice under way as quickly as possible, make sure it is supported by the appropriate regulatory and training environment, and recognise that pharmacists themselves need more support and more pharmacists' assistants and technicians. They are working under pressure in different ways and need to build their own capacity … this as well. My vision for it is that is established, is working well and will be expanded as quickly as possible. Pharmacists are trusted and we need to expand this service as much as possible, recognising that will take that pressure off GPs. For an older woman

Pharmacists have been raising with me the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023 and the dispensing of medication for animals. The implementation of the statutory instrument on that is due shortly. They feel very much that this restricts the capacity to make available veterinary … greater integration in, availability of and access to the prescription system? At the moment, a limited number of vets use the online system. Pharmacists are concerned that there is not access to it. Can we also ensure that pharmacists would be enabled to prescribe antiparasitic medicines for food

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

their medication. The Irish Pharmacy Union has highlighted several issues, including insufficient communication from the Department of Health, no IT system for the pharmacists' reimbursement and no fixed date for the scheme's commencement. Additionally, it looks like the scheme excludes GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing charges … includes a GP visit fee of €50 to €70 and some pharmacies charge a dispensing of €5 to €10. Pharmacists have contacted me and raised several concerns regarding the free HRT scheme. These concerns underscore the need for clear communication, a robust IT infrastructure and a well-defined

Motion re Fuel, Energy and Carbon Tax Relief, selected by Independent Technical Group. Thursday's business shall be: - Statements on World Pharmacists Week (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Electricity Regulation (Climate Action and Connection … Distribution and Transmission Systems) Bill 2025, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and 2. the Statements on World Pharmacists Week shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall

better to start something and develop it rather than wait for something else. We are trying to start so much with pharmacists. It is important to remind everyone about the national condom distribution scheme too, which we are expanding to pharmacies on a phased basis. Obviously condoms … prescription items and do not have to be covered by this legislation. Pharmacists do not have to prescribe them as such. Free condoms are being made available in pharmacy consulting rooms. Access is being phased into pharmacies in different regions. By the time we launch that scheme, participating

Government. The Government recently brought in changes to the way this is to be paid for. It did this without discussing it with pharmacists on the ground and there was no consultation with doctors or patients. Now there are no payments for phased dispensing or blister packs … Taoiseach delay the process that is costing so much money? Will he ensure the process is reviewed? Will he listen to doctors, pharmacists and patients on the ground

health is going to be the common conditions service and where we can go with it. As the Deputy is aware, 95% of pharmacists have signed up to it at this point. Community pharmacists will be able to manage eight common conditions, offering self-care advice and, where

Pharmacists have considerable knowledge and expertise. As the Minister has mentioned, this extends well beyond the pharmacological side of things, for example, into lifestyle. One would expect the wellness hub concept to expand into the area of lifestyle. Will further non-pharmacological campaigns be made available with regard … vaping, mental health, positive ageing, fitness and many other areas? It is also vital that there be prior engagement with pharmacists to identify the kind of campaigns to be run and to prepare for their roll-out. Will the Minister outline the level of engagement with pharmacies

Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken, or commissioned, any patient safety or risk assessment regarding the withdrawal or non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs for people with disabilities or cognitive impairment who rely on such supports in a home-care setting; the findings

needs do not experience disruption to medication compliance supports during the current pause in changes to phased dispensing arrangements; and whether clinicians or pharmacists have discretion to continue such supports where clinically indicated. [10672/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanism that exist, or are being considered, whereby a clinician, pharmacist, or multidisciplinary care team may formally certify that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically necessary for an individual patient; and whether such certification would permit

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which the non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs aligns with national home-care policy objectives that support independent living for people with disabilities and older persons; and whether her Department accepts that medication compliance supports

withdraw or limit such funding; the policy rationale for that decision; and if she will confirm that essential medication compliance supports, including pharmacist-prepared blister packing, will continue to be covered where clinically indicated. [8227/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her Department will provide pharmacists with direction regarding eligibility for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6526/26

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any advice or guidance has been provided to pharmacists with respect to the pause on changes to phased dispensing control mechanisms; if so, to provide a copy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/26

attention has been brought to an issue related to changes under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (details supplied); if an instruction was issued to pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5228/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of pharmacists in relation to the eligibility for the free HRT scheme; the actions she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4235/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the guidance which has been issued to GPs and pharmacists regarding applications for blister packs following the policy change; the alternative supports which will be available for vulnerable patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73863/25

number resulting in sanctions, broken down by sanction type including admonishment, conditions, suspension and cancellation; whether the sanction related to an individual pharmacist or a retail pharmacy business for each year 2020 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74204/25

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the standards, guidance or policies the PSI has issued to pharmacies and pharmacists regarding communications with patients including responsiveness, accessibility, and the handling of urgent clinical queries; if the PSI sets or expects any minimum operational arrangements including phone access

Minister for Health the communication she has had with an organisation (details supplied) on the distribution of the flu vaccine by community pharmacists through the primary and secondary school system. [1013/26

funding for blister packs; and if she will provide details of any cost-benefit analysis undertaken before deciding to discontinue this service, which pharmacists have described as critical for adherence and reducing hospital admissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73406/25

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with pharmacists to develop an alternative funding mechanism for monitored dosing systems, in view of warnings from patient advocacy groups and charities that the removal of State support will lead to medication errors, increased hospitalisations

asked the Minister for Health if she will intervene to ensure that patients are not charged for blister packs of medications prepared by pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72621/25

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the PCRS is instructing pharmacists participating in the free HRT to investigate their patients' sex assigned at birth where they suspect it differs from the gender on their medical records; if so, the legal basis on which this

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if pharmacists participating in the free HRT scheme have been advised on a matter by the PCRS (details supplied); if so, the legal basis on which this is done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73113/25

number of WTE staff, by job title, working within the pharmacy department of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; and if a senior pharmacist is on call after hours and at the weekends. [71685/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if it is HSE policy that pharmacists participating in the free HRT scheme must ascertain a patient's sex assigned at birth when they suspect this differs from their gender marker in medical records; if so, the legal and medical

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department has assessed the impact of the expansion of pharmacist prescribing on GP workload in north County Dublin; if data is available on how this reform will improve access to GP-led healthcare in communities

risk impact assessment, specifically examining effects on vulnerable groups; if she will commit to co-designing revised criteria for phased dispensing with GPs, pharmacists, disability services, and patient groups (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68088/25

Minister for Health if funding will be made available in the HSE Service Plan for one new specialist nurse role and one new pharmacist role for the pulmonary arterial hypertension unit in the Mater Hospital; if a business case for these roles has been received and is being

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that pharmacists are warning customers that the free blister packing service that they offer will be discontinued soon; her views on this development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66475/25

November 2025, if healthcare providers must indicate on prescriptions that they are for the management of the symptoms of menopause such that pharmacists may submit claims for those prescriptions under the free HRT scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66624/25