Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to push strongly the point that this proposal being put forward has the support of all pharmacists, as well as being cost effective. However, the big issue for me is that it would decrease the pressures in the accident and emergency departments. If one considers what has happened over the past six weeks, 18% of those who received the flu vaccine from their own local pharmacist had never had such a vaccine previously even though 93% of those people were at risk. The point I am making is they were in the at-risk category. This proposal will deal with at-risk groups, will assist in making the service sensible and will ensure the provision of a quality, cost-effective service. I ask the Minister of State to really push this issue because a pharmacy-based minor ailments scheme provides timely access for effective treatment for common ailments and is a sensible proposal. Moreover, I am glad the senior Minister in the Department of Health is also present in the Chamber because he is always having a go at Independents about not putting forward constructive ideas. This is a constructive idea and the Minister of State should up her game and see whether she can deliver on it.

See this speech in context