Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher on behalf of the Minister for Health for raising this important issue. The Minister recognises the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care. Community pharmacy is often the most accessible avenue to receiving such care and provides a vital link in our healthcare systems by ensuring the safe supply of medicines to people. We saw that come to the fore during the Covid-19 period when our community pharmacists were the first port of call for many people, as they are on a daily basis. Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention and the use and complexity of medicines are increasing. Pharmacists are the healthcare professionals optimally placed by virtue of their training to ensure the rational and safe use of medicines by patients.The Minister also acknowledges the vital role that community pharmacy will play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare. The focus of Sláintecare is to develop primary and community care and make it possible for people to stay healthy in their homes and communities for as long as possible. The underpinning objective and rationale for enhanced services to be delivered in community pharmacy practice will be to realise enhanced patient care and access. The Department is aware of developments, nationally and internationally, which evidence an evolving and enhanced scope of practice beyond the traditionally perceived pharmacy practice framework. I was struck by what the Senator said, that evidence has supported that one in seven visits to a GP and one in 12 to an emergency department might not be as necessary as is thought, if they had that support.

During the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE established a working group, now called the community pharmacy planning forum, which has examined the challenges confronting community pharmacists during the Covid-19 emergency and played a key role in resolving them to the benefit of the people of Ireland. The impact of its work can be seen in the important role that community pharmacists played in the national Covid-19 vaccination programme - the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the State. The forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, to provide insights on how community pharmacy can be expanded in the context of healthcare reform. The Department is open to exploring any evidence-based, appropriately governed services, delivered by appropriately trained professionals which will support this aim.

The Department recognises the need for the availability and retention of pharmacists in order that pharmacy may continue to meet patient needs and play a full role in the development of an integrated healthcare system. Many people really trust their pharmacist. Many pharmacists are the regular people who come in to a town, community or village, but are there for many years. Their family is part of the community. The first point of call, for many people, will be the community pharmacist.

Recently, the Minister for Health and Departmental officials met a delegation from the Irish Pharmacy Union and a very fruitful and positive discussion took place. Various proposals regarding extending the scope of practice offered by community pharmacists were discussed. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services and provide better value for money.