Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health if the introduction of medicine use review by pharmacists has been examined as a way to improve compliance, and reduce wastage of medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24772/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2010, a Health Service Executive/Irish Pharmacy Union working group developed a Medicines Use Review (MUR) project involving Primary Care teams, GPs and Pharmacists. An evaluation of the project found that it had achieved most of its objectives and established that structures and relationships within the primary care system in Ireland can facilitate such a process.

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. Proposals such as MUR services undertaken by pharmacists offer new and innovative ways to provide the services we require. Such proposals must however generate real savings on existing public expenditure as the health service continues to operate within tight budget constraints.

The Department is currently examining this issue having regard to the evidence base for such a service and any contractual or funding implications.