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
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In debates
sufficient to simply increase targets and expect everything else to flow. We have seen the outworkings of that in terms of HRT, blister packs and so on. What I want to hear from the Minister of State is her comprehensive plan to set this right now - not just
moment and is not going to happen with this legislation. I hope that this measure does not become like the HRT and blister packs we have seen in the past. When the Minister fails to do the groundwork, the roll-out can be unnecessarily delayed.
A related issue
Deputy after I talk to the Minister on this issue.
I do not think the way Deputy Tóibín presented the issue regarding blister packs was probably as accurate as the real story behind it. I think the Minister has been quite robust and has revealed
with the pharmacy associations. It has been the case that there were different charges being applied in terms of dispensing and the overall blister packs themselves. An unequal approach was being taken, depending on the pharmacy and its approach. The work the Minister is doing is to make
Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she will remove charges for blister packs for those with a clinician-determined need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5083/26
social media pages the same as everyone else - who have told her that they have been paying for blister packs for years and they have always done
diet and is living on instant Cup A Soups because she cannot afford to eat. When it comes to the choice on blister packs, she is not going to be able to afford that either.
The Taoiseach's Government patted itself on the back for having a surplus
Minister for Health has explained this. No formal decision was taken by Government or by the Minister in respect of blister packs. The Minister has made the point that there have been different practices in different pharmacies across the country. Some did not charge
minutes and any division claimed deferred to immediately before Committee Stage on Wednesday)
Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Blister Packs, selected by Sinn Féin.
Wednesday's business shall be:
- Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 (Second Stage) (to adjourn after 90 minutes
simple do not do what you are doing with blister packs. What is complicated about
things are. The agreement the Minister needs to reach with the pharmacies needs to ensure that vulnerable patients who have been relying on blister packs for a very long time continue to be provided with them. They are not a luxury but a lifeline for them. That
with disabilities. It is particularly affecting vulnerable groups, including elderly people. Families are also really struggling. The proposal to add additional costs to blister packs shows a disconnect between this Government and the reality of people's lives. Older people, many of them living with families, are really
children's hospital that has gone €1.2 billion over budget, yet the Government cannot look after the vulnerable in regard to blister packs
outgoings and their ability to provide for themselves with fixed incomes, such as old-age pensions.
Without access to monitored dosage systems or blister packs, there is a real risk of medication errors, missed or excessive doses, loss of independence and avoidable deterioration in health. In fact
Taoiseach said, that opportunity is there. He outlined why he believes this is important, the importance of the drugs payment scheme and blister packs, and how they have supported people over many years.
The reality is that health now has the largest budget it has ever had. There
Blister packs
What about the blister packs
know what a blister pack is and do not need to be shown it. I have used one in my own house and I have
know what a blister pack is and have had to use one myself as have other loved ones in my family. I answered a question on this earlier in response to Deputy Carthy. The Taoiseach outlined yesterday the steps he believes are available
dispensed in the pharmacy across multiple supply occasions. Community pharmacies receive additional payments for phased dispensing. Monitored dosing systems, sometimes referred to as blister packs or compliance aids, are systems that enable the individual medicine doses to be organised according to the prescribed dose schedule
Government has just agreed a deal but it left out blister packs
done from the point of view of improving circumstances is good.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh spoke about the idea of waste in relation to blister packs, etc. There are many means by which this whole thing can be streamlined, but it is straightforward. This is a very good thing
In parliamentary questions
Paul Lawless
Written
will provide details of any consultation with patient advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, or the Irish Pharmacy Union before deciding to remove support for blister packs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73871/25
Paul Lawless
Written
Lawless asked the Minister for Health the alternative measures which will be put in place to protect vulnerable patients who currently rely on blister packs for safe medication management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73872/25
Conor D McGuinness
Written
medical card will be charged more for their medication as a result of the Government’s decision to withdraw funding for blister packs; to specify the exact increase in charges that such people can expect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73976/25
Conor D McGuinness
Written
Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if holders of a long-term illness card are entitled to receive blister packs (medication compliance aids) free of charge where they are clinically required; if this entitlement is provided for under the long-term illness scheme or other
Paul Lawless
Written
Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will reconsider the decision to remove State funding for monitored dosing blister packs from January 2026, given the essential role these packs play in medication safety for older persons, those with disabilities, and patients on complex prescriptions
Paul Lawless
Written
Health whether any portion of the €50 million allocated under the Community Pharmacy Agreement can be ring-fenced to maintain 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
Michael Healy-Rae
Written
Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 3 December 2025, if measures will be taken with the changes in prices of blister packs from January 2026 to counter the impact for vulnerable patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73451/25
Pádraig Rice
Written
Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the annual cost to the State of reimbursement for monitored dosing systems, or blister packs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73487/25
Conor Sheehan
Written
Deputy Conor Sheehan 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
Michael Cahill
Written
Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce a scheme to cover the costs associated with blister packs, as the majority of senior citizens simply cannot afford this payment and are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make
Colm Burke
Written
Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide State funding for the preparation of blister packs in pharmacies to ensure that elderly and vulnerable patients who depend heavily on this service for their health are not impacted financially; and if she will make
Brendan Smith
Written
Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that funding for blister packing services will continue as this has been an important support for many people in ill health, as outlined in correspondence from persons who rely on this service to sort their medicine
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Written
Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if her Department carried out an assessment of the financial or clinical impact of introducing a blister pack charge, particularly for older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72225/25
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Written
Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health if she plans to restore State-subsidised blister packs for older, vulnerable patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72275/25
Duncan Smith
Written
Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE will no longer be providing blister packs to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72322/25
Mark Wall
Written
Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health if she will consider funding for blister packs, given the cost that these packs will now have for the most vulnerable in our communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72416/25
Pa Daly
Written
Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if she will explain the rationale for the planned increase to blister pack preparation charges under the new HSE–community pharmacy contract; if she will urgently review this policy in light of the disproportionate impact on older patients and those
Pa Daly
Written
Minister for Health if she will consider introducing an exemption or subsidy for medical card holders and older patients who rely on blister packs, given the significant financial burden of the proposed price increase effective from 1 January 2026; and if she will make a statement
John Connolly
Written
steps her Department expects pharmacies to charge for this service; the supports or alternatives available for low-income individuals who require blister packs for safe medication management but cannot afford the additional cost (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68663/25
Michael Cahill
Written
Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently address a matter (details supplied) and remove all charges for blister packs for the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68890/25
Paul Murphy
Written
Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a charge being placed on blister packs; and if she will instruct her Department to investigate the matter and reverse the decision. [68189/25
Richard Boyd Barrett
Written
Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health her plans to reinstate funding for pharmacy blister packs (details supplied). [68230/25
Michael Cahill
Written
representatives of pharmacies to develop a system where patients, especially older patients can avail, free of charge of their prescriptions by way of blister packs, for ease and safety of medication administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68363/25
Michael Healy-Rae
Written
Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a contract change between community pharmacies and the HSE will see the price of blister packs increase by 200% from 1 January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68386/25
Pearse Doherty
Written
Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of pharmacy charges medical card holders pay for medication dispensed in blister packs; the impact the charges have on those on low incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68403/25
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