Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The fair care policy has not been costed, I am afraid.

Any role for pharmacists must be in the area of appropriate use of medication, but there are other possibilities such as vaccination and screening. In the first instance, however, I am a strong fan of good advice and information for patients about the appropriate use of medication. International data show - this does not just apply to Ireland - that a large percentage of patients with chronic illnesses who are on long-term medication sometimes stop taking their medication, or part of it. This is why the pilot that is taking place in June, July and August, involving pharmacists and ten primary care teams around the country, is concerned mostly with reviewing the safe use of medication.

It was brought to my attention recently that a number of patients with chronic illnesses in the Cork region had had their drugs reviewed and many inappropriate drugs had been given to them. This is not only a patient safety issue but also a quality of life issue; in addition, there are cost implications for the State. Pharmacists have a major role to play in this regard, although, as we have told the IPU, this must be within the limits of the money available at present.

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