Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Minister that pharmacists are all of those things. I am sure he will agree that they are also highly trusted in the community. The great potential of unlocking more community care that is in situ and close to where people live is an aim of both the Minister and me. The funding allocation is welcome but now the negotiation fee must be addressed. Before the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation was introduced, the dispensing fee was €6. It is €4.51 now. The IPU’s ask is in and around €6.50. A total of 10% of community pharmacies are operating at a loss, as I am sure the Minister knows. Up to one third of them are struggling. He has set the Government’s stall out and he has allocated money, but now it is about the delivery of these negotiations. There is great opportunity in this regard, as he will be aware. There is an appetite among pharmacists to deliver, which will, of course, relieve pressure on our GP services and all the rest. It is something the public want. Will the Minister be able to match, or get close to, the figure the IPU will seek for dispensing fees and other fees?

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