Search the record

practice by a number of pharmacies across the country. The position in this regard is as it always has been. I ask that pharmacists engage with their loyal customers on the issue and reflect on the comments of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I will … provide the Deputy with the most up-to-date information on her Department's engagement with pharmacists on this matter

particularly intrigued to see left-wing parties coming in here and asking me to give money to pharmacists to make good what had been done illegitimately. I would like to use the State's money directly for the benefit of vulnerable people but not to reward those pharmacists

reply say there would be any agreement. In fact, what it said was that this is a private matter between patients and pharmacists. I understand that this was funded indirectly; I said so at the time. It seems that this was funded through the phased dispensing scheme … that pharmacists were essentially offsetting the cost of blister packs through phased dispensing. Whatever about the rights and wrongs of that at this point in time, many of these people who were previously getting it funded now have to pay and they simply cannot afford

deny that there was or has been an issue at all until, that is, the public outcry became much too much. Pharmacists are being asked to play an ever more important and front-line role within our communities, and it is time Fine Gael treated them with respect … from January, the roll-out was delayed because the Minister simply could not get the job done on time. That was not a pharmacist issue; that was the Minister's issue, and so too is this. While the Government attempts to muddy the water, the fact

them takes seven tablets a day for conditions, including blood pressure issues, mental health needs and recovery from a recent heart attack. Their pharmacist has now told them that they will face an extra €50 per month. This is money that they simply do not have … that. The evidence is clear: removing access to monitored dosage systems will worsen medication adherence, increase hospital admissions and deepen health inequality. Community pharmacists are uniquely placed to prevent that harm, but they cannot continue to provide this service at a loss. Healthcare should be based on clinical

recognise that we do not have enough healthcare workers to meet our need. As I mentioned earlier, we are trying to have pharmacists work at the top of their expertise in their profession in order that they can diagnose basic common conditions. We now have an agreement with … them that they will do that, but they should be working at the top of their expertise. We will try to have pharmacist technicians there to support them. In the same way, there is a much bigger opportunity for dental hygienists. We have advanced nurse practitioners and clinical

given. The other area where it is important is with regard to non-prescriptive medicine. At present, you can go to ten different pharmacists in a day and get the same drug, even if that drug is addictive. We have no system for controlling that. Digitalisation … time, to put the package together for each customer. I understand that under this agreement, the fee for this service is being abolished. Pharmacists are concerned because this will affect certain areas. It is fine if you are in an area where you do not have a population

example, screening programmes is a positive move, as is offering immunisations. The integration in the ehealth system is obviously positive and will help pharmacists deliver in their communities. I wish to be clear that it is important that this be delivered upon because too often … topic of GPs, we need to train more of them. I ask the Minister to consider also expanding the role of pharmacists, similar to the role in Britain

welcome the opportunity to speak on this. I agree with the agreement. It is a step forward. Pharmacists are highly qualified people. Doctors around the country are under pressure. An awful lot of people, especially those who do not have medical cards, cannot get an appointment for weeks … person might have a sore ear or a bit of flu. There is an awful lot of stuff that we can trust pharmacists with. We should be moving forward and doing that. It will take pressure off doctors, who are under ferocious pressure. There is a shortage

form on this. With regard to the Covid vaccination, the first pharmacists heard of it was through the airwaves. The prescription extension scheme was introduced last September, and no homework was done on it. GPs are writing "do not repeat" scripts. There was no fee agreed with … pharmacists. The scheme is not operating as intended. On the fee itself, there is a sense out there that the diktat

Irish Pharmacy Union has published independent research that suggests that €6.50 is the appropriate service fee that should be available to pharmacists when implementing this programme. As it currently stands, the fee is set to be €5. Will the Taoiseach commit to listening to independent pharmacies and review … programme that, potentially, will not be implementable, according to many pharmacists

working intensively on this issue. In fact, we discussed it as recently as yesterday. She has had a number of direct meetings with pharmacists and their representative body to try to get this matter over the line. In addition, the Department and the HSE have engaged extensively with … order to get to a point where the scheme can be activated once and for all in a way that supports our pharmacists, whose great work in communities across Ireland I acknowledge, and, crucially, fulfils the policy objective of making sure these HRT measures are funded and available

place the blame on the Irish Pharmacy Union. The delays are on the side of the Department of Health. Many people are contacting pharmacists expecting prescribed medication to be free under the assumption the scheme has already been implemented by the Government. It is unfair to blame … pharmacists for this confusion. To be honest and fair to the women of this country, when will this scheme be rolled out and will it be entirely free

That has been available to be implemented since January. The Deputy is correct to say that there had not been enough dialogue with pharmacists in the context of the implementation of the scheme. I met the Irish Pharmacy Union twice - in early February and again last week … cost of the medication to be eliminated and just the dispensing fee to be left. The matter is still under negotiation with pharmacists more broadly to make sure it is workable for them

operators in addition to the agreement that had been reached. Over the year, we have recouped €4.4 million in inappropriate claims made by pharmacists, €2.5 million of which was recouped in 2026 by my Department and the HSE operating under my instructions. We recouped more this year

Deputy, we have been talking about pharmacists

That concludes statements on World Pharmacists

still exist and exclusion from the scheme is still an issue for some women. The Social Democrats welcome this Bill, which provides for pharmacists to re-prescribe certain contraceptives. However, we stand firm in the belief that oral contraceptives should be available prescription free. They are some

have highlighted here many times the difficulties in County Laois. This scheme means contraception methods appropriate for safe administration by pharmacists, who are highly qualified to do so, will be administered in pharmacies and it is good day when we are doing it. Pharmacies open late

There was a different practice in many different areas. There were different patterns of behaviour and different things being done by different pharmacists in that respect. It is not all as the Deputy articulated. We want to help those who need help, and the Minister will continue

allow recruitment from areas outside the EU. Direct access to dental nurses, hygienists and technicians should be introduced in a similar way that pharmacists can now prescribe in limited regulated circumstances. The legislation in this area is well over 40 years old. It is absolutely outdated and requires

step in regard to dealing with children especially. We have seen how the Minister and the previous Minister have moved in relation to pharmacists now being able to prescribe up to 12 different medications, which is really important. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment also recently announced

more generally. There has also been increased access to pharmacy capacities in respect of some conditions. There are about eight conditions pharmacists can now diagnose and prescribe treatment for. We have to become more flexible in how we enable people to access primary care services. We have invested

important that we continue to reinforce clear public health messaging. The best way to stop smoking is to contact a GP or pharmacist. Vaping is not recommended by the HSE as a method of smoking cessation. The evidence consistently shows that licensed medicines remain the safest and most

ambition. Has the Minister set out targets for the number of different campaigns that should be run or for the participation rate among pharmacists? Will she outline the rate of participation in the campaign running this month, which is on alcohol and pregnancy

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if blister-packing of medications by pharmacists will be charged for in the near future (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65697/25

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if the free pharmacist blister packing service will be available in January 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65900/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the introduction of a charge for blister packaging by pharmacists from January 2026; if she acknowledges that many of the people who rely on this service live with serious medical conditions and have very limited income

reimbursement list, are eligible for the free HRT scheme regardless of the reason they were prescribed; if not, the way in which pharmacists are expected to ascertain the reason a prescription was made when there is no requirement for healthcare providers to indicate this on prescriptions

plans to ensure greater availability of the flu vaccine this winter for at risk and vulnerable citizens; whether she has engaged with the pharmacist and general practitioner groupings to discuss the roll out of the flu vaccine; whether a cost-benefit analysis has been carried

November 2025, whether healthcare providers must indicate eligibility/ineligibility for the free HRT scheme on the prescriptions transmitted to pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62489/25

Parliamentary Question Nos. 336 and 337 of 15 October 2025, the systems in place to facilitate the communication between healthcare providers and pharmacists that a prescription is eligible or ineligible for the free HRT scheme. [57926/25

Programme and the HPRA to stabilise supply; the expected timeframe for restoration of normal availability; the clinical guidance being issued to prescribers and pharmacists regarding safe alternatives or substitution protocols; and if she will ensure that vulnerable patients such as (details supplied) who rely on nebulised salbutamol

short supply, leaving patients without appropriate inhalation therapy; and if she will ensure that the HSE and HPRA work with community pharmacists and wholesalers to secure temporary alternative treatments or imported supplies for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, such as those dependent on nebulised therapy three times daily

Care Group, by professional category including but not limited to consultants, registrars, doctors (SHOs/interns), nurses (staff nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, public health nurses), pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, social workers, psychologists and other health and social care professionals, in each of the past five

plans to ensure greater availability of the flu vaccine this winter for at risk and vulnerable citizens; whether she has engaged with the pharmacist and general practitioner groupings to discuss the planned roll out of the flu vaccine; whether a cost-benefit analysis has been carried

pharmacies experienced crime in the past year; and if so, the measures being taken to respond to the concerns raised by pharmacists who describe themselves as easy prey. [50133/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the extent to which her Department has considered a formal role for community pharmacists in screening, monitoring, and referral of older adults with chronic conditions, as recommended by a report (details supplied); and if any pilot schemes have been

engage in retail sales are eligible for the ICOB 2 and power up grants under the reclassification appeal process, given that opticians and pharmacists are included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45873/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if it is HSE policy to instruct pharmacists to deny menopause products to transgender people under the free HRT scheme. [44661/25

Rourke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost to recruit two additional WTE senior pharmaceutical technicians; and two additional senior pharmacists to work in the Public Health Services. [45539/25

Minister for Health for a list of professional bodies the HSE gender programme has asked for representatives from, such as bodies for pharmacists, psychologists, and occupational therapists. [41233/25

wish to participate in abortions can exercise freedom of conscience in this regard during their training as doctors, nurses and midwives and or pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37675/25

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position on further plans on expansion of the role of community pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34893/25

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to have pharmacists prescribe for common conditions; the timeline she is working towards for implementing this recommendation from a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33326/25

Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015; if the health benefits of enabling easier access to the HPV vaccine through administration by community pharmacists have been assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33189/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of pharmacists regarding the prohibitive cost of the shingles vaccine, despite it being recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee; if her Department has engaged with the manufacturer

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health to outline her plans to further enhance the ability of community pharmacists to administer vaccinations in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30013/25

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health for an update on her engagements with representatives of pharmacists in relation to the free HRT scheme; if she will consider raising the dispensing fee for each HRT item (details supplied); and if she will make a statement

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to outline the position with regard to access to medicines by pharmacists, as indicated at a recent conference; if she is satisfied with the supply chain for all drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25002/25