Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of community pharmacy pay. Community pharmacies have had a pay freeze for the past 15 years. One in ten community pharmacies, mainly in rural areas, is loss-making. This figure will increase unless investment is made. Administrative burdens associated with the community drugs scheme, the ongoing issue of medicine supply challenges and the underutilisation by the Government of our pharmacies' unique skillset has led to burnout in the profession. Community pharmacies are now the only healthcare sector that has received no restoration of pay since the financial crisis. This needs to change. There is a deadline of 30 June for these talks. I would like the pay of community pharmacies to be realigned.

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