Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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87. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support the pharmacy-based minor ailments scheme to provide access to effective treatment for common ailments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42901/14]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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My question is to ask the Minister for Health whether he will support the pharmacy-based minor ailments scheme to provide access to effective treatment for common ailments. I raise this question in light of the ongoing crisis in the health service and it is a proposal to free up other services to deal with people. Over the past six weeks, 32,000 people have received their flu vaccinations from their local pharmacists. This is a worthwhile project that should be developed because it will give a break to other people. Serious consideration should be given to developing this proposal.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The development of primary care services is an essential component of the health reform process. In a developed primary care system, up to 95% of people's day-to-day health and social care needs can be met in the primary care setting. Pharmacy services are well placed within the community to provide essential health advice and to support effective care at the lowest level of complexity and in a cost-effective manner. As part of its pre-budget submission, the Irish Pharmacy Union, IPU, proposed that a minor ailments scheme be introduced for General Medical Services, GMS, patients on a cost-neutral basis. The proposed scheme would allow medical card patients access to non-prescription medications to treat minor ailments without the need for a visit to a general practitioner, GP, for a prescription.

As the Government continues to experience increased pressure and demand on the resources within the health system, it is necessary to consider new and innovative ways to provide the services required. The expansion of the role of the community pharmacist to include provision of services such as a minor ailments scheme is worth exploring as the Government seeks to expand further and develop the primary care sector. It is important that such proposals generate real savings on existing public expenditure since the health service continues to operate within tight budget constraints. The Department is further examining the proposal submitted by the IPU, having regard to the evidence base for such a service and any contractual or funding implications.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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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.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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No one would ever accuse Deputy Finian McGrath of not being proactive in respect of ideas. There is everything to recommend a scheme. Basically, who do people trust more and what is the door through which they most commonly go if feeling a little bit under the weather? It is the door of the pharmacy. People usually know them and they usually know everyone in their own community. They usually have been there for a long number of years and are embedded in their own community. As for encouraging patients to self-treat minor injuries, they do from time to time, as well as using the pharmacy as a first point of call for health advice. While such advice may well be that one needs to visit one's GP or perhaps that one must attend the local accident and emergency unit, nevertheless, it is there, it is available and they are trusted. It is as simple as that. Most of us use the pharmacy far more than we imagine and were one to outline the things about which we go there to seek advice, I believe the list would be quite extensive.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I am of the view that it would be important to broaden the range of treatments available, particularly in the context of cost-effectiveness and in light of the fact that 18% of people never previously had access to that which we are discussing. It is unacceptable that senior citizens often end up lying on trolleys or sitting on chairs in accident and emergency departments in, for example, Beaumont Hospital and other facilities, for 20, 24 or 26 hours while they wait for services. The proposals to which I refer would assist in terms of ameliorating the crisis that exists in the area of front-line services. I urge the Minister of State to give consideration to them because they contain a number of brilliant ideas. I agree with her regarding the important trust that exists between local pharmacists and their customers. There is huge potential to develop the service.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I agree with the Deputy. However, when people are obliged to present in accident and emergency departments, it is often for very good reason. We must be conscious of that fact, particularly in the context of those who are frail and vulnerable.