Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Okay. We think a better approach might have been to align the scheme with the free contraception scheme, which is entirely free for women with the State funding the professional dispensing fee, thereby giving all patients parity of access to the medicines.

The second point concerns the Minister's statement that:

Subsection (1) provides that the HSE will make available without charge menopause products on the HSE reimbursement list to women ordinarily resident in the State[.]

The concern expressed to us by the Irish Pharmacy Union is that, given current medicine shortages, particularly of HRT products, pharmacists often have to source exempt medicinal products from other countries to meet the needs of Irish patients. These products are not on the HSE reimbursement list, so will not be available free of charge. This will be a significant issue, according to the union. For example, Estradot and Evorel HRT products are currently on the HPRA medicine shortage list. Has the Minister made provision for that issue?

Other than that, we are happy to support the Bill.