Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I also congratulate the Senator. I am sorry that I was not in a position to attend on Tuesday. This is an issue I am not very familiar with.The Senator has certainly presented a very strong case today. We all have issues to raise but the Senator has also provided solutions. We think of that girl on O'Connell Street, who knew what had happened to her and knew her symptoms, but, because of policy, the pharmacist was afraid to administer the EpiPen. It is awful.

I will be taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I thank Senator Ní Chuilinn for the opportunity to address the House on this important issue. More than one in four people in Europe suffer the effects of an allergy at some point in their lives, and it is particularly common in children. It is important to note that most allergic reactions are mild and can be kept under control. Severe reactions can occur, but these are rare. GPs can help to diagnose an allergy, and in the case of a mild allergy, they can offer advice and treatment to help to manage the condition. They may also refer to an allergy specialist for testing and treatment if the allergy is severe or the cause is not known.

The allergy team at CHI runs clinics out of CHI at Crumlin and Temple Street, as well as CHI at Connolly and Tallaght. The team deals with allergy prevention and diagnosis, along with treatment for allergy rhinitis, and drug, venom and vaccine allergies. The team aims to improve the quality of life for children with allergies and their carers to minimise the risk of allergy, promote food allergy prevention and provide Irish healthcare professionals with allergy educational resources. CHI has advised that there is currently no timeline for the rollout of oral immunotherapy services for the treatment of children living with allergies in Ireland.

That is not what the Senator wants to hear but, to be fair to her, she has started the campaign. I have no doubt that I and the Minister for Health will be here in front of her on many other occasions. This is how things get done: by starting a campaign to ensure there is a planned roll-out of treatment and care for young people.

In October 2015, the then Minister for Health signed the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015 into effect. The regulations increase access to specified prescription-only medicines in an emergency, including adrenaline. This allows for the administration of adrenaline for known or suspected anaphylaxis to be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations, without the need for a prescription. Of note, there is provision for organisations such as schools and workplaces to store these medications for administration by a trained person. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland provides guidance on the implementation of this amendment for pharmacists, and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council has established a course for the education and training of persons to safely and competently administer adrenaline in an emergency.

There is a responsibility to ensure that medications are stored and administered safely and appropriately. Those with a known risk of anaphylaxis should carefully follow their doctor’s guidance regarding carrying an EpiPen on the person. However, we know it is not always the case that people carry an EpiPen. As the Senator has rightly and eloquently outlined, emergencies do happen. These situations can occur because people do not know the allergies they have.

In 2024, pharmacists administered adrenaline in emergency situations on 365 occasions. Community pharmacies are among the most accessible and trusted healthcare providers in Ireland. The State recognises the importance of pharmacies being prepared to administer these medicines safely and effectively. This is reflected in the community pharmacy agreement 2025, which establishes an emergency medicine administration preparedness allowance that recognises that community pharmacists are authorised to administer emergency medicines. It is deeply sad that this did not happen in the case on O’Connell Street outlined by the Senator. This service is provided on an ad hoc basis, requiring pharmacists to be trained and ready to respond. The Minister for Health has agreed that an annual recurring allowance of €525 will be made available to community pharmacy contractors, commencing in 2026.

I am out of time. The Senator has a copy of the answer, which is comprehensive. As I said, it does not give the answer that the Senator wants. Nonetheless, I commend her on starting the campaign for the rollout of EpiPens. I will reflect her views, thoughts and suggestions to the Minister for Health following this debate.