Medicinal Products

247. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health her plans to reinstate funding for pharmacy blister packs (details supplied). [68230/25]

254. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the progress of licensing the drug luthera, which is required for the treatment of grade 4 neuroendocrine cancer; the expected timeline for approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68274/25]

261. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will liaise with the HSE and 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]

264. Deputy Michael 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]

265. 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]

593. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons prescribed the weight loss drug ozempic, by county from 2023 to date in 2025, in tabular form. [67730/25]

594. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons prescribed the weight loss drug mounjaro, by county, from 2023 to date in 2025, in tabular form. [67731/25]

632. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) can be made available under the HSE drugs scheme given the very high monthly cost of €7,600 which is out of reach, given this drug provides lifesaving treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67985/25]

633. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the continued failure to approve and purchase the drug selpercatinib as a targeted treatment for medullary thyroid cancer and small cell lung cancer for patients in Ireland; the number of patients undergoing treatment for these forms of cancer who would benefit from such treatment; the cost of providing it; if she will ensu…

503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to date to meet the Programme for Government commitment to investigate early access schemes for certain types of medicines; whether there are plans to consult with patient organisations as part of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66868/25]

588. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health when a review of the rate of value added tax on oral vitamin and mineral supplements, currently 13.5% rate, will be carried out; and the reason there is a disparity in VAT classification between oral pharmaceuticals, and oral supplements for health promotion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67255/25]

323. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Clare can get ozempic on their medical card or on the drugs refund scheme given it costs €160.00 per month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66550/25]

337. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she will urgently review the decision to remove State reimbursement for blister pack medication services; if she is aware that this change will allow pharmacies to introduce private fees of up to €50 per person per month; if she will outline the measures the Department is taking to prevent adverse impacts on patients who rely on blister …

353. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if she will review the prescribed allocation of glucose sensors (details supplied). [66660/25]

801. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a person with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder can make an advanced directive or decision to the right to taper their medication; if so, the process to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65150/25]

838. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the consideration within her Department towards the inclusion of caplacizumab on the drug reimbursement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65371/25]

839. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the consideration within her Department towards the inclusion of selpercatinib (also pralsetinib) on the drug reimbursement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65372/25]

843. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she has reviewed the joint statement from groups regarding changing the reimbursement arrangements for high-protein oral nutritional supplements (ONS) (details supplied); if she is aware that the expert view has warned that such changes would undermine evidence-based nutrition support for vulnerable patients; if high-protein ONS will …

844. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health her Department’s plan to deregulate the use of a medication (details supplied) in an effort to help reduce drug deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65431/25]

879. 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]

905. 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]

906. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1825 of 4 November 2025, if she will insure that the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people that are incapable of safely and effectively managing their medication regimen, will not be impacted by the ceasing of free dispensing of prescription medication in blister packs in January 2026 (details su…

907. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if there is an established set of criteria put in place to assist pharmacies when assessing eligibility to receive free dispensing of prescription medication in blister packs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65925/25]

931. 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; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66130/25]

932. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing financial supports or exemptions for patients who rely on blister packaging because of complex medical conditions, cognitive difficulties or disability, given that any additional charge would disproportionately impact those on low incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66131/25]