Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Health his policy regarding the setting of fees for administration of the flu vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter [1321/12]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Health the manner in which fees for general practitioners and pharmacists for the administration of the flu vaccine were determined; the reason for the difference in fees paid to GP's and pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1320/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 43 together.

On 11 August 2011, my Department placed notices in the national press advising that, in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 (FEMPI), I had initiated a review of the fees payable to General Practitioners (GPs) in respect of the provision of immunisation services. As part of the process, submissions were sought from interested parties. Following consideration of submissions and compliance with the detailed requirements of the FEMPI legislation, I decided to reduce the fee payable to GPs in respect of the administration of the seasonal flu vaccine on behalf of the HSE from €42.75 to €28.50, a reduction of 33%. The new fee took effect on 3 November 2011. It is important to say that the fee of €42.75 had been built up over many years. The scale of the reduction had to satisfy the test of fairness/proportionality and also avoid the possibility of a sudden disruption of the vaccination programme that might arise if GPs were to withdraw their services. I am satisfied that the fee that was set met these two objectives, while at the same time realising savings to the HSE.

Separately, I decided last July that community pharmacists should be invited to participate in the HSE seasonal flu programme. This was the first occasion that pharmacists had been invited to participate in the seasonal flu programme. As such there were no "legacy" issues to be taken into account in setting the fee nor did I have to have regard to the various requirements of the FEMPI legislation. The fee for pharmacists of €15 was set in accordance with the provisions of the Community Pharmacy Contractor (CPC) Agreement.