Mr. Andrew Conlon:

With regard to reaching people, the report suggests a phased approach targeting young women first. It is affordable and the evidence suggests they are an at-risk group with most difficulty accessing contraception and the highest levels of crisis pregnancies. This is not to dismiss the comments that have been made about women in the older age groups. When we consider the statistics, young women are the group one would focus on first. It would help to overcome the budgetary challenge.

We wrestled with the issue of pharmacists prescribing. The recommendation expands the role of pharmacists in this area by extending the length of prescription for oral contraception. The group thought the issue and the role of pharmacists in healthcare, with pharmacists acting at the top of their licence and so on, went beyond the remit of the group as it was about more than contraception. We are all aware of Sláintecare and the reform of the health system. If there is to be a greater role for pharmacists and pharmacy prescribing by hospital and community pharmacists, it should be looked at as an issue on its own merits rather than being approached piecemeal through issues such as the prescription of contraception. The reference to that issue needs to be examined further.